Each day I will be providing my recommended player picks for your FanDuel daily fantasy hockey lineups.
My FanDuel NHL Plays will be broken down by player positions, and will include picks for cash games (50/50s/double-ups/head-to-head) and GPPs (guaranteed prize pool tournaments).
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Are you new to Daily Fantasy Hockey? Check out these strategies documents first for tips and recommendations to craft your winning FanDuel hockey lineups:
Introduction to Daily Fantasy Hockey: Breaking it Down
Winning Strategies for Cash Games (head-to-head, 50/50s)
Winning Strategies for GPP Tournaments
Advanced Tips for Winning by Utilizing Vegas Odds and Line Combinations
FanDuel Daily Fantasy Hockey Research and Strategy Tools
We may only have two games on the schedule tonight, but that doesn’t mean we should pass this evening. Despite the short slate, we have four teams that are all fantasy relevant. GPPs will be a blast, with a second or third line being the key to taking down one of these big tournaments. On the other hand, cash games will be great challenge, leaving little room for error. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Anaheim Ducks are your favorites tonight, but I expect all four teams in action to score some goals.
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders NHL Starting Goalies Page to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting prior to game time.
Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks, $8,700 - The Anaheim Ducks have won four of their last five games and Andersen continues to be stellar in goal (2.19 GAA, .929 SV%). The Edmonton Oilers were dealt a huge blow with the loss of Connor McDavid, and their offense has struggled since. Anaheim should control this game from puck drop and Andersen is your safest bet between the pipes.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Marc-Andre Fleury
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Mike Condon, Cam Talbot
CENTERS
Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens, $6,800 - I have nothing against Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin tonight, but Plekanec is having a fantastic season (7G, 15 PTS, 35 SOG in 16 GP) and he is much cheaper than the other two. The Habs’ top line has been consistent all season long and I expect them to be involved in multiple goals again tonight. As a bonus, Plekanec also kills penalties and will be out there late in the game with the opposing net empty if Montreal is winning. This leads to even more scoring opportunities.
Other Centers to Target (Cash Games) – Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Ryan Getzlaf
Other Centers to Target (Tournaments) – Ryan Kesler, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Alex Galchenyuk, David Desharnais, Leon Draisaitl
WINGERS
Corey Perry, Anaheim Ducks, $8,600 - Corey Perry is the top sniper on this short slate. Perry has been reunited with Ryan Getzlaf and the two have looked much better than they did earlier in the year. The Edmonton Oilers are still struggling to keep the puck out of their net and I expect Perry to have a big game this evening.
Phil Kessel, Pittsburgh Penguins, $7,900 - Kessel has four points in his last three games and he has looked much better playing alongside Evgeni Malkin. Kessel has scored in back-to back games and he is starting to look like the sniper we thought he was. The matchup may not be ideal, but Kessel has multi-goal upside against any opponent.
Taylor Hall, Edmonton Oilers, $8,600 - Hall has been on a tear recently, racking up four multi-point games in his last six contests. He has gelled nicely with Leon Draisaitl and now they both get an offensive boost with the return of Jordan Eberle. If you are looking to go against the grain tonight, Hall and the Oilers’ top line certainly has the upside.
Other Wingers to Target (Cash Games) – Max Pacioretty, Brendan Gallagher, Patrick Maroon
Other Wingers to Target (Tournaments) – Dale Weise, David Perron, Pascal Dupuis, Beau Bennett, Neil Yakupov, Benoit Pouliot
DEFENSEMEN
Sami Vatanen ($5,500) and Cam Fowler ($4,600), Anaheim Ducks - The Anaheim Ducks are in the best spot to score tonight, and that means both Sami Vatanen and Cam Fowler are in play for me. Neither defenseman has been great this season, but they both log a ton of ice time and share power-play duties on the number one unit. I think they both find the score-sheet in this game.
Other Defensemen to Target (Cash Games) – P.K. Subban, Andrei Markov, Kris Letang
Other Defensemen to Target (Tournaments) – Oscar Klefbom, Jeff Petry, Ian Cole