Each day I will be providing my recommended player picks for your FanDuel daily fantasy hockey lineups. The goal is to help you build the optimal cash game (50/50s/double-ups/head-to-head) lineup.
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We have another spectacular night of National Hockey League action ahead of us with 12 games on tap. The Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and the Chicago Blackhawks are the biggest favorites on the board tonight, and we have three teams (Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers and the Vancouver Canucks) playing on consecutive nights.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders NHL Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Braden Holtby, Washington Capitals, $9,800 – You are going to have to pay a pretty penny to get him, but Holtby is my top option in goal. The Winnipeg Jets are having trouble scoring, but they are firing over 31 shots per game, which bodes well for Holtby. The Capitals’ netminder is elite and I expect him to not only win, but also make at least 25 saves in the process.
Other Top Play: Corey Crawford (CHI)
Top Mid-Tier Plays: Martin Jones (SJ), Roberto Luongo (FLA), Jaroslav Halak (NYI)
Top Value Plays: Steve Mason (PHI), Mike Condon (OTT)
CENTERS
Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues, $4,800 - It is going to be tough to get a piece of all the top offenses this evening (Washington Capitals, San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks), especially considering how expensive they are, so finding value will be key tonight. Enter Jaden Schwartz in a plus matchup versus a defensively challenged Dallas Stars team. Playing alongside Vladimir Tarasenko at both even strength and on the St. Louis Blues’ top power play unit, Schwartz has multi-point upside at a discounted price.
Top Overall Plays: John Tavares (NYI), Steven Stamkos (TB)
Top Mid-Tier Plays: Ryan Johansen (NSH), Jonathan Toews (CHI)
Top Value Plays: Joe Thornton (SJ), Ryan O’Reilly (BUF)
WINGERS
Joe Pavelski, San Jose Sharks, $7,700 – The Calgary Flames are not a strong possession team, which has led to them allowing more scoring chances against than any other team in the National Hockey League this season. The Flames have also allowed the fifth-most goals against per game this season. Defense and puck possession are not the Flames’ only issues either. Calgary continues to lead the NHL in minor penalties (55), and their 28th ranked penalty kill is simply not getting the job done. As the San Jose Sharks best sniper, Pavelski has multi-goal upside in this prime matchup.
Filip Forsberg, Nashville Predators, $6,600 – The Arizona Coyotes remain one the worst defensive teams in the NHL. Thanks to their poor defensive play and their weak goaltending, the Coyotes continue to lead the league in shots allowed (34.9) and goals against per game (3.89). The Nashville Predators have loaded up their top line and it paid off immediately as Filip Forsberg and his linemates had a multi-goal game in Colorado on Tuesday night. In this plus matchup against the Desert Dogs, Forsberg once again has big game upside.
Top Overall Plays: Alexander Ovechkin (WSH), Patrick Kane (CHI)
Top Mid-Tier Plays: James Neal (NSH) Artemi Panarin (CHI)
Top Value Plays: Mikkel Boedker (SJ) Jori Lehtera (STL)
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, San Jose Sharks, $8,000 - Brent Burns was held pointless Tuesday night inArizona, but he still fired a ridiculous 11 shots on goal. Because of the amount of shots he takes and blocks, Burns has a very high floor, to go along with his high ceiling. With a weak Calgary Flames team in town tonight, we can expect another big performance from Burns.
Other Top Plays: Erik Karlsson (OTT), Roman Josi (NSH)
Top Mid-Tier Plays: Ryan McDonagh (NYR), Kevin Shattenkirk (STL)
Top Value Plays: David Schlemko (SJ), Kris Russell (EDM)