I generally do not pick two players playing against each other in the same game for a daily fantasy hockey lineup. The same applies for a goalie and a player from opposite teams. You might see two players among the “value picks” from opposite teams, but that doesn’t mean you should take them both. No matter the value, you’re also likely cannibalizing points, so any gains made below a certain price point – the point where production and cost intersect – can be lost if production declines overall as well.
There are many things that determine value: The player’s history (both short and long-term), the price, recent production, opponent, line matching at even-strength, power play time and injuries are just some of the factors to consider. The “Top Value” doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest player, either.
Finally, as far as goalies go, it’s the one position I’ll pay through the nose for if I really like the match-up. The same applies for back-ups with good match-ups. In a given night, with a full slate of games, I won’t have more than three different goalies across all my lineups, usually two. I’ll name the goalies I like specifically in the match-ups they appear in.
Here is today’s slate of games (and DraftDay values). Reminder: check Left Wing Lock for up-to-the-minute information on starting goalies.
Games are color-coded as follows:
Green means load up. Yellow means grab a couple of players. Red means value plays only.
Philadelphia Flyers at Ottawa Senators
Tonight marks the second game this season for the Flyers in Ottawa, having won the first meeting a month ago 5-0 and was part of the initial 3-game winning streak that saw the Flyers go 9-4-1 in their next 13 games.
The Flyers have 12 power play goals in their last 13 games, scored two on the Senators in their earlier meeting, and the Senators have allowed power play goals in 12 of their last 16 games, a brutal 71.5-percent stretch.
Craig Anderson is already confirmed to start tonight for Ottawa – he’s allowed 2+ goals in 12 straight games and 3+ in nine of those 12 – and then this tweet came out:
Michalek Turris Ryan
MacArthur Spezza Condra
Greening Smith Neil
Hoffman/Kassian Zibanejad Conacher— Brent Wallace (@localpodcaster) December 9, 2013
Mika Zibanejad had been a big reason for Jason Spezza’s improved play at even strength, and that hurts them. Ottawa is a mess right now and will predictably get worse with this demotion. The Sens gone 4-8-1 in their last 13 games since/including that 5-0 drubbing to Philadelphia, so this is all about the boys in orange.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
(PHI) $9100 |
(OTT) $7700 |
(PHI) $8000 |
(PHI) $8250 |
(OTT) $5750 |
Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins
Another good game to stack, the Blue Jackets are coming off back-to-back wins and have shutout their opponents over those contests, and allowing just 23 shots against/game.
The problem with the Blue Jackets is they aren’t very good. They shutout two opponents in a row, but they were both at home (where Columbus is a .500 team) and tonight is a road game. The Jackets have gone just 3-5-2 on the road in their last 10, and their three wins were against Toronto, Calgary and Ottawa.
Pittsburgh got some good news and some bad news today.
The good:
Malkin indicated to me he will play tonight for #pens. Injury feeling better.
— Rob Rossi (@Real_RobRossi) December 9, 2013
The bad:
James Neal suspension: 5 games. #nhl #penguins
— Renaud Lavoie (@renlavoietva) December 9, 2013
It appears Malkin will be back tonight after missing the last two games, but the Penguins will be without James Neal in light of this cowardly kneeing incident against Brad Marchand of the Bruins.
Getting Malkin back helps Pittsburgh a lot more than it hurts them to lose Neal, so in the grand scheme, it’s a win to get him back in the fold.
The Penguins power play is lethal and the proof is in the 10 power play goals they’ve scored in their last six games. Columbus did a good job of staying out of the box in their first two meetings this year – both Pittsburgh wins – but the Pens still converted two of seven opportunities.
