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.
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Here is today’s slate of games (and DraftStreet 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.
Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricanes
This game is the makeup game from yesterday, which was pushed because of the Hurricanes’ problem getting games in lately.
Despite losing three of their last four games, the Sens have amassed points in 10 of their last 11 games and have one regulation loss on the road in the last month. This is a team whose underlying numbers have been improving for a while and it’s starting to translate to wins. Of course, a power play that is 21.2-percent and a penalty kill that is 86.7-percent since Christmas are a big help as well. Be wary a bit of Craig Anderson as he’s allowed 4+ goals against in half of his previous six starts. He’s been good at times but fairly unreliable.
Carolina has won three of their last four games and the Hurricanes are 7-3 in their 10 January games. A lot of this is with help from Alex Semin who has six goals in his last four games (which doubles his total on the year). One problem for them has been their penalty kill which has limped along at a 73.9-percent efficiency in 2014. This problem kind of gets mitigated when you have a goalie like Anton Khudobin – who hasn’t let in more than three goals in any game this year – starting your games for you.
This is the first meeting this season between the two teams and it’s a makeup game in the early afternoon, all of which makes this tough to predict. I’ll stay away from both goalies for that reason but will pick apart at the skaters who can provide value.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
(CAR) $10,256 |
(OTT) $3692 |
(CAR) $11,333 |
John-Michael Liles $5540 |
Elias Lindholm $3012 |
