I never thought today’s NYT Strands solution would allow me to use my bachelor’s degree in chemistry. I know this is a hint right off the bat, but it might not be enough to find the Spangram and solve the puzzle…

The best way to play NYT Strands today is to look for three words with four or more letters to fill the clue bar and get a clearer idea of what the "Can you dig it?" theme really entails. You can try to find the Spangram right away, knowing that it is a word, simple or compound, that touches two opposite sides of the board. Remember, it only has to touch those two sides; it doesn't necessarily have to start and end on those two sides. Once you find the Spangram, you'll find that it is a word that further narrows down the theme, similar to how "SCARYMOVIE" fits into the "The Horror" theme.

At first I thought today’s NYT Strands were just as literal as the recent ones, so I started looking for words like “grave” and “hole,” even though they were incorrect or nonexistent. Then I realized it was one of the trickier puzzles. I unlocked a clue that almost solved the entire puzzle for me.

You might find a periodic table helpful for this puzzle. I also recommend listening to Metallica or Iron Maiden to set the mood.