UNLOCKED: Line Matching – October 4th
Line Matching will typically be posted in the early afternoon (EST) once most teams have wrapped up their morning skates. Line Matching for afternoon games (on weekends) will be posted in the morning prior to puck-drop. Line Matching will be offered for FREE until Friday, October 5 before it is locked for DFO Premium Members Only.
This post looks at which teams will have an advantage at 5v5. It looks at which lines the home-team will try and match-up against and which line could have an edge. It does not take power-play or goaltending into consideration.
STATS
- All totals are per 60 minutes of 5v5 ice time.
- SCF/SCA- Scoring chances for and against
- CF/CA – Corsi for and against
- HDCF/HDCA – High-danger Chances for and against
Matchups
- Which lines the Home team is expected to be matched up against.
Index
1️⃣ – Indicates PP1 Usage
2️⃣ – Indicates PP2 Usage
Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| BOS2 | BUF1 | Even | BUF1 split 70/30 against BOS2/BOS1 |
| LW | J. DeBrusk 2️⃣ | LW | J. Skinner 1️⃣ |
| C | D. Krejci 2️⃣ | C | J. Eichel 1️⃣ |
| RW | D. Heinen 2️⃣ | RW | S. Reinhart 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 579:52 TOI (DeBrusk & Krejci) | Sample: 236:22 TOI (Eichel & Reinhart) | ||
| OFF: 61 CF, 29 SCF, 9 HDCF | OFF: 54 CF, 24 SCF, 11 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 51 CA, 22 SCA, 9 HDCA | DEF: 55 CA, 24 SCA, 11HDCA | ||
| BOS1 | BUF2 | BOS1 | BUF 2 split 70/30 against BOS1/BOS2 |
| LW | B. Marchand 1️⃣ | LW | C. Sheary 2️⃣ |
| C | P. Bergeron 1️⃣ | C | P. Berglund |
| RW | D. Pastrnak 1️⃣ | RW | T. Thompson 2️⃣ |
| Sample: 535:54 TOI | Sample: 107:27 TOI (Berglund & Thompson) | ||
| OFF: 67 CF, 33 SCF, 12 HDCF | OFF: 64 CF, 25 SCF, 8 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 47 CA, 24 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 55 CA, 25 SCA, 8 HDCA | ||
| BOS3 | BUF3 | N/A | Not a hard match |
| LW | R. Donato 1️⃣ | LW | V. Sobotka |
| C | S. Kuraly | C | C. Mittelstadt 2️⃣ |
| RW | D. Backes 2️⃣ | RW | K. Okposo 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 42:46 TOI (Backes & Kuraly) | Sample: No Sample- Mittelstadt is a rookie and Sobotka new to the team. | ||
| OFF: 64 CF, 23 SCF, 3 HDCF | OFF: N/A | ||
| DEF: 31 CA, 16 SCA, 4 HDCF | DEF: N/A |
Analysis:
BOS1 would normally be a no-brainer in this matchup but they are on the tail end of a back-to-back and fresh off a 7-0 beating at the hands of the Capitals. Captain Jack Eichel makes for a strong cash play against a tired Bruins’ team.
New York Islanders @ Carolina Hurricanes
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| NYI1 | CAR1 | Slight CAR 1 | CAR1 split 50/50 against NYI1/NYI3 |
| LW | A. Beauvillier 1️⃣ | LW | M. Ferland 2️⃣ |
| C | M. Barzal 1️⃣ | C | S. Aho 1️⃣ |
| RW | J. Bailey 2️⃣ | RW | T. Teravainen 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 444:13 TOI (Barzal & Beauvillier) | Sample: 733:46 TOI (Aho & Teravainen) | ||
| OFF: 66 CF, 34 SCF, 15 HDCF | OFF: 62 CF, 29 SCF, 13 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 63 CA, 33 SCA, 13 HDCA | DEF: 47 CA, 22 SCA, 11 HDCA | ||
| NYI3 | CAR2 | N/A | CAR2 split 50/50 against NYI3/NYI1 |
| LW | L. Komarov | LW | W. Foegele |
| C | V. Filppula 2️⃣ | C | J. Staal 1️⃣ |
| RW | T. Fritz | RW | J. Williams 2️⃣ |
| Sample: No Sample-Played on three different teams in 2018 | Sample: 284:31 TOI (Staal & Williams) | ||
| OFF: N/A | OFF: 68 CF, 32 SCF, 12 HDCF | ||
| DEF: N/A | DEF: 53 CA, 23 SCA, 8 HDCA | ||
| NYI2 | CAR3 | N/A | Would have been a hard match last year but could change with Derek Ryan gone |
| LW | A. Lee 1️⃣ | LW | B. McGinn |
| C | B. Nelson 2️⃣ | C | M. Necas 2️⃣ |
| RW | J. Eberle 1️⃣ | RW | V. Zykov 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 92:19 (Nelson & Eberle) | Sample: No Sample-Zykov and Necas are both rookies | ||
| OFF: 71 CF, 39 SCF, 16 HDCF | OFF: N/A | ||
| DEF: 47 CA, 28 SCA, 14 HDCA | DEF: N/A |
Analysis:
Barzal and company are a tough opening night assignment for CAR1, but they should flourish in the time they see against NYI3. Given the Canes’ dominance at 5v5 last year, a powerplay stack is the way to go if you’re looking to play the Islanders.
Washington Capitals @ Pittsburgh Penguins
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| WSH1 | PIT1 | Even, High-Event | Hard match |
| LW | A. Ovechkin 1️⃣ | LW | J. Guentzel 2️⃣ |
| C | E. Kuznetsov 1️⃣ | C | S. Crosby 1️⃣ |
| RW | B. Conolly 2️⃣ | RW | P. Hornqvist 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 557:00 TOI (Ovechkin & Kuznetsov) | Sample: 98:43 TOI (All 3) | ||
| OFF: 59 CF, 30 SCF, 13 HDCF | OFF: 74 CF, 38 SCF, 15 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 62 CA, 30 SCA, 15 HDCA | DEF: 55 CA, 38 SCA, 9 HDCA | ||
| WSH2 | PIT2 | Even | Hard match |
| LW | J. Vrana 2️⃣ | LW | C. Hagelin |
| C | N. Backstrom 1️⃣ | C | E. Malkin 1️⃣ |
| RW | T. Oshie 1️⃣ | RW | P. Kessel 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 477:00 TOI (Backstrom & Oshie) | Sample: 578:31 TOI (Malkin & Kessel) | ||
| OFF: 58 CF, 27 SCF, 9 HDCF | OFF: 62 CF, 28 SCF, 11 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 54 CA, 24 SCA, 10 HDCA | DEF: 58 CA, 29 SCA, 14 HDCA | ||
| WSH3 | PIT3 | PIT3 | Hard match |
| LW | A. Burakovsky | LW | D. Simon |
| C | L. Eller | C | D. Brassard 2️⃣ |
| RW | C. Stephenson 2️⃣ | RW | B. Rust |
| Sample: 297:00 TOI (Eller & Burakovsky) | Sample: 58:51 TOI (Simon & Rust) | ||
| OFF: 58 CF, 27 SCF, 8 HDCF | OFF: 69 CF, 32 SCF, 12 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 61 CA, 30 SCA, 15 HDCF | DEF: 52 CA, 35 SCA, 16 HDCA |
Analysis:
Capitals are on the tail-end of a back-to-back so PIT1 gets the nod in an otherwise even matchup. They are the line of choice tonight if you’re looking to stack the Pens. They should see plenty of chances in a high-event matchup. Of course, a Pittsburgh powerplay stack is always on the table, too.
Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| CBJ1 | DET1 | CBJ 1 | DET1 split 60/40 against CBJ1/CBJ2 |
| LW | A. Panarin 1️⃣ | LW | G. Nyquist 1️⃣ |
| C | P-L. Dubois 1️⃣ | C | D. Larkin 1️⃣ |
| RW | C. Atkinson 1️⃣ | RW | A. Mantha 2️⃣ |
| Sample: 350:52 TOI (All 3) | Sample: 472:40 TOI (Larkin & Mantha) | ||
| OFF: 69 CF, 36 SCF, 14 HDCF | OFF: 60 CF, 26 SCF, 10 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 55 CA, 27 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 55 CA, 28 SCA, 12 HDCA | ||
| CBJ2 | DET2 | CBJ 2 | DET2 split 60/40 against CBJ2/CBJ1 |
| LW | N.Foligno 1️⃣ | LW | T. Bertuzzi 1️⃣ |
| C | A. Wennberg 2️⃣ | C | F. Nielsen 2️⃣ |
| RW | O. Bjorkstrand 2️⃣ | RW | M. Rasmussen 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 109:07 TOI (All 3) | Sample: 57:55 (Bertuzzi & Nielsen) | ||
| OFF: 82 CF, 36 SCF, 16 HDCF | OFF: 54 CF, 24 SCF, 8 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 49 CA, 24 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 60 CA, 31 SCA, 7 HDCA | ||
| CBJ3 | DET3 | Slight CBJ3 | DET3/DET4 split against CBJ 3/CBJ4 |
| LW | B. Jenner 2️⃣ | LW | J. Abdelkader |
| C | B. Dubinsky | C | A. Athanasiou 2️⃣ |
| RW | J. Anderson 2️⃣ | RW | T. Vanek 2️⃣ |
| Sample: 88:07 TOI (All 3) | Sample: 151:04 TOI (Athanasiou & Abdelkader) | ||
| OFF: 66 CF, 33 SCF, 14 HDCF | OFF: 62 CF, 26 SCF, 10 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 69 CA, 29 SCA, 13 HDCA | DEF: 50 CA, 23 SCA, 9 HDCA |
Analysis:
CBJ1 should see time against DET1 and DET2 and is a heavy-favourite in both matchups. They are one of the top plays of the night; consider adding Werenski and/or Foligno for the powerplay stack.
Chicago Blackhawks @ Ottawa Senators
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| CHI2 | OTT1 | Slight OTT1 | OTT1 70/30 split against CHI2/CHI3 |
| LW | B. Saad 2️⃣ | LW | R. Dzingel 1️⃣ |
| C | N. Schmaltz 1️⃣ | C | M. Duchene 1️⃣ |
| RW | P. Kane 1️⃣ | RW | B. Ryan 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 125:31 TOI | Sample: 122:24 TOI | ||
| OFF: 58 CF, 29 SCF, 11 HDCF | OFF: 69 CF, 30 SCF, 14 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 58 CA, 32 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 60 CA, 25 SCA, 10 HDCA | ||
| CHI1 | OTT2 | Even | Hard match |
| LW | A. DeBrincat 1️⃣ | LW | Z. Smith 2️⃣ |
| C | J. Toews 1️⃣ | C | C. White 2️⃣ |
| RW | D. Kahun 2️⃣ | RW | M. Stone 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 241:15 TOI (Toews & DeBrincat) | Sample: 141:55 TOI (Smith & Stone* came mostly with Brassard) | ||
| OFF: 66 CF, 31 SCF, 9 HDCF | OFF: 68 CF, 30 SCF, 17 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 58 CA, 24 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 66 CA, 26 SCA, 12 HDCA | ||
| CHI3 | OTT3 | N/A | OTT3 split against CHI3/CHI4 |
| LW | C. Kunitz | LW | A. Formenton |
| C | A. Anisimov 2️⃣ | C | C. Tierney 2️⃣ |
| RW | D. Kampf | RW | M. Boedker 2️⃣ |
| Sample: No Sample-Kunitz new to the team, Anisimov and Kampf played less than 5 mins together last year. | Sample: 470:49 TOI (Tierney & Boedker) | ||
| OFF: N/A | OFF: 54 CF, 26 SCF, 11 HDCF | ||
| DEF: N/A | DEF: 63 CA, 30 SCA, 13 HDCA |
Analysis:
These matchups are dependent on whether Ottawa views the Toews or Kane line as the Chicago’s top line. Either way, this should be a low-event game and doesn’t garner a whole lot of DFS attention. Kane still makes for a solid cash play.
Nashville Predators @ New York Rangers
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| NSH1 | NYR1 | Even | Hard match |
| LW | F. Forsberg 1️⃣ | LW | C. Kreider 1️⃣ |
| C | R. Johansen 1️⃣ | C | M. Zibanejad 1️⃣ |
| RW | V. Arvidsson 1️⃣ | RW | P. Buchnevich 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 518:51 TOI | Sample: 259:01 ATOI | ||
| OFF: 68 CF, 28 SCF, 11 HDCF | OFF: 68 CF, 33 SCF, 16 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 54 CA, 27 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 52 CA, 24 SCA, 10 HDCA | ||
| NSH2 | NYR2 | NSH2 | Hard match |
| LW | K. Fiala 2️⃣ | LW | J. Vesey 2️⃣ |
| C | K. Turris 2️⃣ | C | K. Hayes 2️⃣ |
| RW | C. Smith 1️⃣ | RW | M. Zuccarello 2️⃣ |
| Sample: 544:52 TOI | Sample: 366 TOI (Hayes & Zuccarello) | ||
| OFF: 74 CF, 34 SCF, 14 HDCF | OFF: 52 CF, 29 SCF, 14 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 52 CA, 23 SCA, 10 HDCA | DEF: 60 CA, 28 SCA, 13 HDCA | ||
| NSH3 | NYR3 | NSH3 | Hard match |
| LW | C. Sissons | LW | V. Namestnikov |
| C | N. Bonino | C | B. Howden |
| RW | C. Jarnkrok 2️⃣ | RW | V. Lettieri |
| Sample: 48:09 TOI | Sample: No Sample- Howden is a rookie, Namestnikov and Lettieri did not play together at all last year | ||
| OFF: 69 CF, 29 SCF, 10 HDCF | OFF: N/A | ||
| DEF: 48 CA, 21 SCA, 10 HDCA | DEF: N/A |
Analysis:
NYR1 is underrated at 5v5 and NSH1 didn’t generate a ton of scoring chances last year. Might be best to fade NSH1 in a deceivingly tough matchup. NSH2 has a stronger matchup and comes at a much cheaper price.
Winnipeg Jets @ St. Louis Blues
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| WPG1 | STL1 | N/A | Soft match |
| LW | K. Connor 1️⃣ | LW | P. Maroon 1️⃣ |
| C | M. Scheifele 1️⃣ | C | R. O’Reilly 1️⃣ |
| RW | B. Wheeler 1️⃣ | RW | V. Tarasenko 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 611:10 TOI | Sample: No Sample-Maroon and O’Reilly both new to the team. | ||
| OFF: 59 CF, 29 SCF, 12 HDCF | OFF: N/A | ||
| DEF: 57 CA, 26 SCA, 9 HDCA | DEF: N/A | ||
| WPG2 | STL2 | Slight WPG2 | STL2 split against WPG2/3 |
| LW | M. Perreault 2️⃣ | LW | J. Schwartz 2️⃣ |
| C | B. Little 2️⃣ | C | B. Schenn 2️⃣ |
| RW | P. Laine 1️⃣ | RW | J. Kyrou |
| Sample: 66:04 TOI | Sample: 410:04 (Schwartz & Schenn without Tarasenko) | ||
| OFF: 67 CF, 30 SCF, 11 HDCF | OFF: 64 CF, 31 SCF, 11 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 58 CA, 17 SCA, 5 HDCA | DEF: 50 CA, 25 SCA, 11 HDCA | ||
| WPG3 | STL3 | N/A | STL3 split against WPG3/2 |
| LW | K. Vesalainen | LW | A. Steen 2️⃣ |
| C | J. Roslovic 2️⃣ | C | T. Bozak 1️⃣ |
| RW | N. Ehlers 2️⃣ | RW | D. Perron 2️⃣ |
| Sample: No Sample-Vesalainen is a rookie, Roslovic and Ehlers did not play together last year. | Sample: No Sample-Perron and Bozak both new to the team. | ||
| OFF: N/A | OFF: N/A | ||
| DEF: N/A | DEF: N/A |
Analysis:
Hard to judge the top matchup because of the new faces in St. Louis, but Ryan O’Reilly is always a tough matchup. Powerplay stacks work best for this game.
Arizona Coyotes @ Dallas Stars
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| ARI1 | DAL1 | Slight DAL 1 | DAL1 split 50/50 against ARI1/ARI2 |
| LW | R. Panik 2️⃣ | LW | J. Benn 1️⃣ |
| C | D. Stepan 1️⃣ | C | T. Seguin 1️⃣ |
| RW | C. Fischer 1️⃣ | RW | A. Radulov 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 310:19 TOI (Panik & Stepan) | Sample: 633:09 TOI | ||
| OFF: 66 CF, 29 SCF, 13 HDCF | OFF: 66 CF, 32 SCF, 13 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 58 CA, 26 SCA, 10 HDCA | DEF: 60 CA, 29 SCA, 9 HDCA | ||
| ARI3 | DAL2 | N/A | Hard match |
| LW | L. Crouse | LW | M. Janmark 2️⃣ |
| C | D. Strome 2️⃣ | C | J. Spezza 1️⃣ |
| RW | L. Dauphin | RW | B. Comeau |
| Sample: No Sample-Largest sample between the three of them is 14 mins | Sample: 456:21 TOI (Spezza & Janmark) | ||
| OFF: N/A | OFF: 60 CF, 24 SCF, 11 HDCF | ||
| DEF: N/A | DEF: 54 CA, 23 SCA, 9 HDCA | ||
| ARI2 | DAL3 | Even | DAL3 split 50/50 against ARI2/ARI1 |
| LW | B. Perlini 1️⃣ | LW | D. Shore 2️⃣ |
| C | C. Keller 1️⃣ | C | R. Faksa |
| RW | V. Hinostroza 2️⃣ | RW | T. Pitlick |
| Sample: 197:34 TOI (Keller & Perlini) | Sample: 785:43 TOI (Faksa & Pitlick) | ||
| OFF: 53 CF, 26 SCF, 10 HDCF | OFF: 54 CF, 24 SCF, 9 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 63 CA, 30 SCA, 13 HDCA | DEF: 54 CA, 23 SCA, 9 HDCA |
Analysis:
DAL1 has the edge at 5v5 but the Stepan line will challenge them. The Arizona matchup should draw high ownership.
Minnesota Wild @ Colorado Avalanche
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| MIN1 | COL1 | Even, High-Event | Hard match |
| LW | J. Zucker 2️⃣ | LW | G. Landeskog 1️⃣ |
| C | E. Staal 1️⃣ | C | N. MacKinnon 1️⃣ |
| RW | M. Granlund 1️⃣ | RW | M. Rantanen 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 153:37 TOI | Sample: 742:30 TOI | ||
| OFF: 71 CF, 35 SCF, 19 HDCF | OFF: 63 CF, 31 SCF, 12 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 64 CA, 25 SCA, 12 HDCA | DEF: 60 CA, 27 SCA, 10 HDCA | ||
| MIN3 | COL2 | MIN3 | Hard match |
| LW | C. Coyle 1️⃣ | LW | C. Wilson 2️⃣ |
| C | J. Greenway | C | T. Jost 1️⃣ |
| RW | J. Eriksson Ek | RW | A. Kerfoot 2️⃣ |
| Sample: 193:40 (Coyle & Eriksson Ek) | Sample: 241:07 TOI (Jost & Kerfoot) | ||
| OFF: 62 CF, 28 SCF, 15 HDCF | OFF: 54 CF, 25 SCF, 7 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 58 CA, 22 SCA, 9 HDCA | DEF: 65 CF, 31 SCA, 12 HDCA | ||
| MIN2 | COL3 | MIN2 | Hard match |
| LW | Z. Parise 1️⃣ | LW | M. Nieto |
| C | M. Koivu 2️⃣ | C | C. Soderberg |
| RW | N. Niederreiter 2️⃣ | RW | G. Bourque |
| Sample: 59:42 TOI | Sample: 687:10 TOI (Soderberg & Nieto) | ||
| OFF: 62 CF, 30 SCF, 16 HDCF | OFF: 53 CF, 22 SCF, 8 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 38 CA, 13 SCA, 5 HDCA | DEF: 63 CA, 27 SCA, 10 HDCA |
Analysis:
Dealer’s choice between MIN1 and COL1 in what should be a high-event matchup, but you should always give the edge to COL1 at home. MIN2 draws a great matchup against COL3, so there’s a lot to like in this game.
Philadelphia Flyers @ Vegas Golden Knights
 |  | Advantage | Matchup |
| PHI1 | VGK1 | Even | VGK1 split 60/40 against PHI1/PHI2 |
| LW | C. Giroux 1️⃣ | LW | J. Marchessault 1️⃣ |
| C | S. Couturier 1️⃣ | C | W. Karlsson 1️⃣ |
| RW | T. Konecny 2️⃣ | RW | R. Smith 1️⃣ |
| Sample: 497:27 TOI | Sample: 708:33 TOI | ||
| OFF: 60 CF, 27 SCF, 12 HDCF | OFF: 62 CF, 31 SCF, 12 HDCF | ||
| DEF: 50 CA, 22 SCA, 8 HDCA | DEF: 50 CA, 24 SCA, 9 HDCA | ||
| PHI2 | VGK2 | N/A | VGK2 split 60/40 against PHI2/PHI1 |
| LW | O. Lindblom | LW | M. Pacioretty 2️⃣ |
| C | N. Patrick 2️⃣ | C | P. Stastny 2️⃣ |
| RW | J. Voracek 1️⃣ | RW | E. Haula 2️⃣ |
| Sample: 231:16 TOI | Sample: No Sample-Pacioretty and Stastny are new to the team | ||
| OFF: 69 CF, 32 SCF, 13 HDCF | OFF: N/A | ||
| DEF: 56 CA, 28 SCA, 10 HDCA | DEF: N/A | ||
| PHI3 | VGK3 | N/A | Soft match |
| LW | J. van Riemsdyk 2️⃣ | LW | T. Nosek 1️⃣ |
| C | M. Vorobyov 2️⃣ | C | O. Lindberg |
| RW | W. Simmonds 1️⃣ | RW | R. Carpenter 2️⃣ |
| Sample: No Sample-Vorobyov is a rookie and JVR is new to the team | Sample: 134:11 TOI (Nosek & Lindberg) | ||
| OFF: N/A | OFF: 55 CF, 27 SCF, 9 HDCF | ||
| DEF: N/A | DEF: 56 CA, 22 SCA, 9 HDCA |
Analysis:
Given all the uncertainties and new faces on both teams, it might be best to avoid playing the late game. VGK1 and PHI1 should play out to a wash in a relatively low-event matchup.
Suggested Stacks
- 1. CBJ1
- 2. NSH2
- 3. PIT1