There are four Olympic men's hockey games on Friday. Sweden-Finland and Italy-Slovakia start at 6:10 a.m. EST with France-Czechia at 10:40 a.m. EST and Canada-Switzerland at 3:10 p.m. EST. Sweden-Finland is likely to be the best game and most competitive. But as very few people will be awake in time to pick those players, I'm going to provide selections from the two later matchups.
SLATE PREVIEW
The over/under for Sweden-Finland is 5.5 goals, which is the same as Canada-Switzerland.
OPTIMAL GOALIE STRATEGY FOR CZECHIA vs. FRANCE DFS
Karel Vejmelka, Czechia vs. France ($8,400): Vejmelka is tied for the NHL lead in wins (27) with Andrei Vasilevskiy. He was held out of Thursday's tilt versus Canada and should be well-rested to face France.
HIGH UPSIDE VALUE PLAYS IN MEN'S OLYMPIC HOCKEY DFS
David Pastrnak, Czechia vs. France ($7,800): Throw out Thursday's shutout loss to Canada as far as Czechia's top trio of Pastrnak, Tomas Hertl and Martin Necas is concerned. Pastrnak sits sixth in NHL scoring with 71 points, including 22 goals. He should click nicely with his linemates versus France.
Kevin Fiala, Switzerland vs. Canada ($5,600): Fiala notched an assist during Switzerland's 4-0 win over France on Thursday. The 29-year-old has compiled a few excellent NHL campaigns as he exceeded 70 points three straight times. Fiala has registered 18 goals and 22 assists for the Kings and could provide a point or two against Canada.
Tomas Hertl, Czechia vs. France ($5,100): Hertl has been outstanding on the power play for the Golden Knights as he's racked up 21 of his 49 points. He should be up for a big Friday performance against France teaming up with his fellow All-Star linemates.
Martin Necas, Czechia vs. France ($7,000): Necas is tied for 16th in NHL scoring at 62 points usually playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon in Colorado. Look for a big effort from him and the rest of Czechia's lead unit.
ELITE LINE STACK COMBINATION FOR FRIDAY OLYMPIC MEN'S HOCKEY
Canada vs. Switzerland
Connor McDavid (C - $8,500), Tom Wilson (W-$5,000), Macklin Celebrini (W- $7,500)
Canada's top line was outstanding on Thursday versus Czechia as McDavid generated three assists and 14 scoring chances (while their opponents only combined for 12). Celebrini is already a superstar at 19 and ranks fourth in NHL scoring. Wilson is enjoying a career year with Washington at 23 goals and 26 assists.
UNDERVALUED DEFENSEMEN TO CONSIDER
Thomas Harley, Canada vs. Switzerland ($3,400): Harley has experienced some offensive issues with Dallas this season, but has been hot of late with three goals and two assists from his last five games. He continued that production on Thursday against the Czechs when he delivered a pair of assists.
Filip Hronek, Czechia vs. France ($4,000): Hronek is quarterbacking Czechia's first power play. And while that group was unable to score against Canada, the French will provide little resistance. Hronek has tallied 32 points with the Canucks, including 10 while up a man.
