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.
Washington Capitals at Ottawa Senators
The Capitals are playing their second game in as many nights, coming off a 2-1 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres last night. Not for a lack of trying, though, as they directed 45 unblocked shots to the net at even strength, compared to Buffalo’s 27.
Ottawa, meanwhile, is a very difficult team to pinpoint. In their final game before the break, they shutout the top team in the East in Pittsburgh 5-0, then lose their first game after the break 5-0 to Boston, and then turn around and beat Boston 4-3 the very next night. Very Jekyll & Hyde.
These two teams already met once this year, at the end of November, which resulted in a 6-4 win for Ottawa. That game featured five total power play goals and 74 shots on goal. I expect something similar tonight.
Craig Anderson is expected to get the nod in net and while it has been mostly a rough season for Anderson, he does have a .931 save percentage over his last five outings. It won’t make much difference if the Senators give up power play chances and a pile of shots as they’ve been known to do lately, but Anderson could be a good play here tonight if you have the stomach for it (if you’re ready for the possibility he does get lit up, that is).
Note: Jason Spezza is not expected to play tonight with a hip injury.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
(WSH) $7700 |
Clarke MacArthur $7350 |
Nicklas Backstrom $13,550 |
Patrick Wiercioch $7300 |
(OTT) $5900 |
