I will mention that 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.
Dallas Stars at New York Islanders
The inconsistency that has marred Dallas’ season so far continues. Following a stretch that saw them go 5-0-2 to end December, they have started January 0-2 and been outscored 11-5 in the process. That will happen when you’re missing three of your top six defensemen in Stephane Robidas, Sergei Gonchar and Trevor Daley.
The Islanders, meanwhile, lost their last game 3-2 to Carolina but have still won three of four, including wins against Boston, Chicago, and Minnesota. One thing that has helped them during this little run of games is staying out of the box; the Islanders are only averaging 2.5 power plays against over their last four games.
The Islanders’ successes of late have come largely away from home. At home, the Islanders are just 1-2-3 since December 1, and they have scored just 11 goals in those six games.
Dallas starts an Eastern road trip at New York tonight, the first of three such games. In their last six road games, the Stars have only had fewer than 32 shots on net once and have scored 20 goals in those six games. I expect Dallas to win tonight, though the Islanders might get their fair share of goals, so I’ll avoid the goalies.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
Valeri Nichushkin $7200 |
(DAL) $11,950 |
Rich Peverley $7400 |
Thomas Hockey (NYI) $7000 |
(NYI) $5000 |
