In daily fantasy hockey, stacking is a key strategy in tournaments. We want to correlate our lineups with up to four players to maximize our upside -- if one player on a line is scoring goals, it's likely that his linemates are getting assists, as well.
Ideally, we want players who will get a lot of ice time together on an even-strength line and a power-play line. Two good resources for line combinations are LeftWingLock.com and DailyFaceoff.com, so be sure to check those sites for updated line information.
There are five games on Monday's slate, and we can really see a gap between the contending teams and the teams racing toward the bottom of the standings.
Edmonton Oilers
The Edmonton Oilers have been rounding into form since the trade deadline. They made some acquisitions to improve their team defensively but are obviously still an explosive offensive team that's great to stack.
We continue to see a historic season from Connor McDavid ($10,700), who could become the first player in 27 years to score 150 points. He has multiple points in his last four games and 21 in his last 10.
McDavid is now playing with Zach Hyman ($8,100) and Evander Kane ($7,100) at even strength. Kane had a hat trick on Saturday and will always have a little extra motivation playing against his old team. Hyman hit the 30-goal mark for the first time in his last game and continues to play on the league's best power play with McDavid.
The Oilers are taking on the San Jose Sharks at home tonight. The Sharks are doing a better job of dropping in the standings than most of the other non-contenders. They've gone 1-7-2 in their last 10 games and have sunk to the bottom of the Western Conference. They've also allowed the third-most goals per game this season.
Edmonton has an implied team total above four tonight, and we definitely need to consider them in lineups. Evan Bouchard ($4,300) remains a great value on defense as the power-play quarterback for the best unit in the league, and he can fit in easily with this stack.
Colorado Avalanche
The Colorado Avalanche are marching toward the playoffs in style. They've won their last five games and are a team no one in the West wants to see in the first round of the playoffs. Tonight's matchup couldn't possibly be much better.
Nathan MacKinnon ($10,400) has averaged over one assist per game this season while also scoring 30 goals. His 1.54 points per game is now second behind McDavid. Mikko Rantanen ($9,500) is third in the league with 46 goals. These two are now on the same line and same power-play unit with Evan Rodrigues ($5,500) on the left wing. This line is extremely dangerous together and is capable of being one of the best lines in hockey.
Colorado gets to face the Chicago Blackhawks in their home arena tonight. Chicago is the third-worst team in the NHL and is barely icing an NHL roster. They just allowed four goals to the lowly Arizona Coyotes and will be under siege from Colorado's attack all game.
The Avs carry an implied team total of a whopping 4.30 goals tonight, and we can expect them to dominate this game from start to finish.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The Pittsburgh Penguins took one in the teeth from the New York Rangers in their last game, losing 6-0. They had been playing well before that, but they really need a win tonight to hold on to the last wild card spot in the East.
Pittsburgh decided to make a change to their lines but have now gone back to what they've used for most of the season. Sidney Crosby ($8,500) has clinched a point-per-game season, which is something he's achieved every year in his career. Jake Guentzel ($7,600) was shut out in his last game but had scored six goals in his previous six. Rickard Rakell ($6,100) is back on this line and is third on the team in goals with 24. This line all plays together on the first power-play unit, as well.
The Pens will take on the Ottawa Senators in this critical game. Ottawa was in playoff contention until their rough stretch of late. They've allowed at least four goals in their last seven games, losing all but one of those along the way.
Pittsburgh's first line offers full correlation, and they won't totally break the bank. They are in a good spot and have motivation, making them one of the best stacks on the board tonight.
Nicholas Vazquez is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Nicholas Vazquez also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username hbyanksman. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.