Today’s Cash Game Breakdown will breakdown the best plays for Thursday’s 12 game slate, which features a 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT lock.
I want to wish all of the Elite Mafia hockey squad a very Happy New Year! It has been a fun ride so far this season, but we need to remain focused, and keep winning money. With this being a cash game article, that means staying ahead of the cash line, and tonight’s 12 game slate will offer a ton of options for us to dissect.
Elite Fantasy NHL Content Schedule (Main Slates Only)
- 2-3 games (Cheatsheet only)
- 4 games (Cheatsheet and GPP Article)
- 5+ games (Cheatsheet, Cash Game Breakdown, and GPP Article)
- Sunday slates until NFL finishes up (Cheatsheet only)
Please be sure to keep track of the LINES (who plays with who) and goalie confirmations (who are the starting goalies). Here are the resources I recommend to keep an eye on any developments:
This information comes straight from writers who follow each of the NHL teams closely. If anything important ever comes up, they are surely the first to know and will know earlier than any DFS or NHL website. Following this list will make it easier for you to keep an eye on all types of changes throughout the day (e.g. line changes, goalie confirmations, and late scratches).
Goalie Confirmations via LeftWingLock.com:
If a goalie gets confirmed as the starter throughout the day, this is where you’ll want to go to make sure they are locked in.
Current Line Combinations via LeftWingLock.com:
This resource is very good to check on line combinations from the previous game and the projected lines for the next game. Be aware that lines may update as they come in, so if a team holds a morning skate, there’s a good chance that the lines that are updated from the morning skate are going to be used in that night’s game.
MAIN SLATE (12 GAMES – 7:00 PM ET/4:00 PM PT lock)
*Salaries highlighted in GREEN are better values on a specific site
CENTERS
1) Sean Monahan, Flames (DK: $5400; FD: $7100)
2) Max Domi, Canadiens (DK: $4800; FD: $6100)
3) Auston Matthews, Maple Leafs (DK: $7600; FD: $8500)
4) Patrice Bergeron, Bruins (DK: $7700; FD: $8400)
5) Jack Eichel, Sabres (DK: $7400; FD: $8100)
6) Mika Zibanejad, Rangers (DK: $6900; FD: $7800)
7) Christian Dvorak, Coyotes (DK: $4300; FD: $4100)
8) Jared McCann, Penguins (DK: $4300; DK: $4500)
Notes:
- Monahan has looked very good in this homestand and is at a great price on DK in an outstanding matchup against the Rangers.
- Domi should not be this cheap on both sites. Even with the tougher matchup, I think you have to consider doing what you can to get exposure to him.
- AM34 has been rejuvenated as a player by being placed on the same line as Marner. With one of the best playmakers on his line, you know he’s going to get great looks every single game.
WINGERS
1) Mark Stone, Golden Knights (DK: $6000: FD: $7000)
2) David Pastrnak, Bruins (DK: $7700; FD: $8800)
3) William Nylander, Maple Leafs (DK: $5700; FD: $6300)
4) Kyle Connor, Jets (DK: $6400; FD: $6300)
5) Alex Galchenyuk, Penguins (DK: $3400; FD: $4200)
6) Artemi Panarin, Rangers (DK: $6300; FD: $8300)
7) Bryan Rust, Penguins (DK: $6300; FD: $6100)
8) Max Pacioretty, Golden Knights (DK: $6500; FD: $7400)
9) Nikita Gusev, Devils (DK: $3300; FD: $4400)
10) Nick Suzuki, Canadiens (DK: $3900; FD: $4500)
11) Reilly Smith, Golden Knights (DK: $5100; FD: $5300)
12) Patric Hornqvist, Penguins (DK: $4400; FD: $5600)
13) Conor Garland, Coyotes (DK: $3600; FD: $3300)
14) Tanner Pearson, Canucks (DK: $4500; FD: $5500)
15) Nick Foligno, Blue Jackets (DK: $3400; FD: $4400)
Notes:
- Stone and Pacioretty probably shouldn’t be played in the same lineup for cash but the matchup is decent and they’ve been on a roll. Add the fact that their price tags are reasonable, I think it’s something you CAN do, though I won’t be doing it.
- Pastrnak is the best BOS1 option, but if you need to save a few dollars from playing Marchand, it’s definitely an option.
- Nylander and Toronto’s 2nd line has been on a roll lately, and should get an outstanding matchup against Winnipeg’s 2nd D-pairing featuring Luca Sbisa and Neal Pionk, who have allowed eight 5v5 goals over the last six games.
- Galchenyuk is now on PIT1 replacing the injured Jake Guentzel. He’s so cheap you have to give him a look over Rust. Still, ultimately, Rust is a little safer when it comes to production. Galchenyuk will get a PP1 look, but will play the net-front, which he just doesn’t play very often.
DEFENSEMEN
1) Tyson Barrie, Maple Leafs (DK: $5300; FD: $5100)
2) Jeff Petry, Canadiens (DK: $4200; FD: $5100)
3) Thomas Chabot, Senators (DK: $6500; FD: $5800)
4) Neal Pionk, Jets (DK: $5100; FD: $3800)
5) Darnell Nurse, Oilers (DK: $4700; FD: $4500) – (only if Klefbom is OUT)
6) John Marino, Penguins (DK: $3400; FD: $4400)
7) Tyler Myers, Canucks (DK: $3400; FD: $4200)
8) Erik Brannstrom, Senators (DK: $2700; FD: $3500)
9) Scott Mayfield, Islanders (DK: $3100; FD: $3500) – (DK only)
Notes:
- Barrie getting more minutes and PP1 time is doing wonders for his fantasy value. The $5k range is still way too cheap for him given the offensive opportunities he’s getting.
- Petry is low-key one of the best fantasy performers over the last couple weeks. For whatever reason, DK still has him at only $4200, which is ridiculous considering the number of peripherals he has been accumulating.
- Nurse is a top-flight play if Klefbom is out of the lineup. Keep in mind, the Oilers scored FIVE power-play goals against the Rangers, and of course, all of them were with Klefbom on the ice. Still, Klefbom left that game with an injury, and when he was out, he was replaced with Darnell Nurse.
GOALIES
*Check on the status of unconfirmed goalies prior to lock
1) Tristan Jarry, Penguins (DK: $8500; FD: $8800)
2) Marc-Andre Fleury, Golden Knights (DK: $8000; FD: $8000)
3) Craig Anderson, Senators (DK: $7100; FD: $7400)
4) Jacob Markstrom, Canucks (DK: $8100; FD: $7800)
Notes:
- Jarry has been outstanding and is arguably the safest play on the board.
- Fleury has looked much better over his last couple starts and is at a discount on FD.
CORE 2
DRAFTKINGS
- Mark Stone and Sean Monahan
FANDUEL
- Mark Stone and Tyson Barrie
