By Jeff Lewis
With the first team eliminated in the New York Rangers, the dream of landing a franchise center like Alexi Lafreniere is now officially alive. Imagine the Rangers packing a center like Lafreniere paired with Kaapo Kakko and Artemi Panerin on the wings? Then all that young defense and two hot-young goalies and Lundqvist’s salary coming off the books. That would be scary team but as one Flyers fan I know said today about the Rangers… “Go get a tee time”
Let’s get right into a deep DFS pick worth a look before you get behind the paywall ($14.95 per week is our entry level fee). Jack Studnicka RW – BOS. Thought you were getting out of here without any puns? Not a chance. This “stud” has a chance to prove himself while Ondre Kase has to wait to play, due to ‘making a poor mistake’ before entering the quarantine bubble. This six foot one inch, smooth skating winger is being paired with David Krejci a known playoff force. Don’t sleep on Krejci either as he is a legend on the Bruins for his post-season play. Two smart guys on a talented team who are looking to make waves. Jack Studnicka wants a full-time call up next season then he has a chance to prove it now.
I know you are itching to pick the guys who are going to score all the points, but we are starting today with our “Pass on a Pylon.” We aren’t saying these guys are worth a bag of pucks on any given day, but tonight, for this match up and how they have been looking – take a pass.
Our first guy is perpetual underachiever Jonathan Drouin ($3,500). Honestly, you might not see him on any of my Buy sheets. I get it, he is on a line with hot shot kid like Nick Suzuki and right hand man, Joel Armia, but those two are the ones doing damage. Drouin has been looking lost out there. No need to go looking for him.
Second guy to avoid tonight is going to be Max Pacioretty ($7,700). Patches is a great player and he will get you a lot of SOG. But, we should wait and see how his partner in crime Mark Stone does before we make the investment. Stone missed the final five games of the season and who knows what he has been up to in quarantine. You’ll see this guy back on my Buy sheet soon enough, but for now, slide those chips elsewhere.
Top Six Value
Let’s dig into those guys who are going to put the puck in the back of the net. If you want minimal risk and tons of reward, look no further than Calder Trophy dark horse Dominik Kubalik ($5,500). He reminds me of Ovechkin, except quite a bit smaller. Hits don’t count in these leagues, so watch the guy shoot. He has eyes for the net. Shot, after shot, after shot and they are hot. The Blackhawks are going to be giving this kid a lot of rope. Don’t worry about hanging yourself. Use the winnings to lasso a couple other budding stars.
Did I say budding? I meant in full bloom. Taylor Hall ($7,800) still has it. He may be flying under other guys radar due to all the injuries he has had and being moved to the desert to play with the Coyotes but don’t count him out. If you saw him at the end of the season, you’d see that he is clicking with other old timer and multiple Stanley Cup winner, Phil Kessel. Centered by a young and quickly rising star Clayton Keller, the trio is the go to line in Arizona. Those other two are worth a look, but they are likely to be getting the Assist to Hall’s Goal. Check them out.
Defensive DFS Picks For August 5, 2020
This Coyotes versus Predators matchup is going to be a wild one tonight. The Coyotes stated strategy is throw several small dogs at big sabretooth Roman Josi ($7,200). Too bad coyotes only weigh about 40 pounds. It’s not going to be enough to take down the captain. He is the Predator’s power play king. Bow down to him and he might treat you with DFS mercy.
Speaking of other power play bets? Get some stock in Quinn Hughes ($3,500). Oh, everyone else is too? Yeah, there is good reason. He gets the nod over Makar who says he “feels perfect” after getting over a minor injury but that’s what he is supposed to say. The Canucks are taking on the Wild and the Avs are up against the Stars. The Wild are likely to be mild, so get it while the getting is good.
Goaltending DFS Picks For August 5, 2020
Probably the toughest calls to make as teams move towards a 1A/1B situation in the regular season. This isn’t the regular season though and the time old tradition of riding a single netminder as long as you can stay on is likely to be the strategy. Let’s see if we can hang on for eight seconds. Carey Price ($8,000). It’s a tough road ahead for the Canadiens but Price is a beast. If they make a deep run, there won’t even be a vote on the Conn Smythe trophy. While the Penguins figure out how to play together again after an injury ravaged season, let Price do what Price does. Keep the puck out of the back of the net.
Keep an eye on him for game-time because the Avalanche have two great options, but my money is on Philip Grubauer ($7,500). It’s hard to say no to an Avalanche roster that is going to run over most of its competition. He will have goal support and is no slouch himself. Again, make sure Pavel Francouz ($7,500) doesn’t sneak in for some reason but if he does he is priced the same for a reason. Their defense will do most of the work for you while you kick back a rocky mountain cold one and enjoy the best sport on earth as it gets back up to speed.
Good luck and enjoy the action tonight ladies and gentlemen.
