With the schedule for the Conference Semifinals set, we’ve got a short NHL slate to work with. This should be a fun, spread out slate with hockey to watch all night. The following players are guys we want to look a little bit deeper into, but make sure to check out Awesemo’s rankings for all player grades. Awesemo will start with a note on each player, then I (Tommienation1) will follow up.
Top-Tier
Patric Hornqvist ($6,200 DK/$6,300 FD)
“Hornqvist is playing with one of the top playmakers in the NHL and will be on the top power-play as well.”
The top-line Penguins’ winger (“A” points grade) played well in the first round when he was able to suit up, posting 21 shot attempts, 16 Scoring Chances, and 9 High-Danger Chances (which lead his team) in just four games. The even-strength matchup won’t be great against the Backstrom line for the Capitals, but when playing with Crosby and Guentzel, this Penguins’ top line was great at even-strength in the regular season, posting over 14 High-Danger Chances For per 60 minutes.
Jonathan Marchessault ($6,300 DK/$6,600 FD)
“Marchessault shot as much as anyone in the first round, and we should expect more of the same going up against the Sharks tonight.”
Marchessault (“A” points grade) led the Golden Knights in shot attempts in round 1 with 33 while creating 11 Scoring Chances in a sweep of the Kings. Despite the Sharks’ sweep, they allowed over 60 shot attempts per 60 minutes and the 4th-most High-Danger Chances Against per 60 minutes of any team in the first round. Against SJ1, who allowed over 32.4 Scoring Chances Against per 60 minutes in the first round, Marchessault should have some space to create shots and chances tonight.
Values
Timo Meier ($3,700 DK/$4,500 FD)
“Meier is a decent value tonight as he should see 13-14 minutes including power-play time on the second unit.”
Meier is one of my favorite values on the night as he plays on a line that has been sneaky-good in both the playoffs and the regular season. In 4 Round 1 games, he posted 20 shot attempts, 11 Scoring Chances, and 5 High-Danger Chances. I’m a big fan of Timo as a player, and I’m not necessarily scared of the Golden Knights’ depth, so I like firing him up as a tournament one-off tonight if you’re looking to pay up for the studs in the Penguins-Caps game.
Shea Theodore ($4,200 DK/$4,700 FD)
“Theodore is playing big minutes at even-strength and the power-play for the Golden Knights. Even though they don’t have a big total, Theodore’s current situation makes him a solid value.”
Theodore (“B” DK value) is averaging almost 23 minutes per game in the playoffs and over 5 shot attempts per game. His 12 Scoring Chances easily lead all Vegas defensemen and only James Neal had more. If you can’t get up to one of the top defensemen in the other games, Theodore is a nice consolation prize as he should easily get 20 minutes and top power-play time with the top unit.
