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 DraftStreet values). Reminder: check Left Wing Lock for up-to-the-minute information on starting goalies.
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Games are color-coded as follows:
Green means load up. Yellow means grab a couple of players. Red means value plays only.
New York Rangers at New Jersey Devils
In the second outdoor game of the weekend, two New York-area teams square off at Yankee Stadium.
After winning six games out of seven, the Rangers have now lost back to back games and Rick Nash has accounted for three of their four goals in those two games. This is a team with scoring balance but it certainly hasn’t looked like it recently. It also makes three straight games that the team has allowed a power play goal against. On the bright side, this is a road game and the Rangers have been much better away from Madison Square Garden this year and are 3-1 away from home this month.
The Devils have won back to back games now and both games were at the Prudential Centre where they have now won four in a row. The fact that their power play has converted five times in three games (and seven times in six games) makes me a bit nervous for the Rangers, considering their lacklustre PK of late. The wild card in this game is goaltender Martin Brodeur who obviously gets the start for the first outdoor game in the New York area.
Like the Anaheim/Los Angeles game last night, I’m staying away from this game altogether. It’s too hard to predict hockey and then introduce the elements. Best of luck to those of you who do.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
(NJD) $6249 |
(NYR) $5240 |
Travis Zajac $6673 |
(NJD) $7633 |
Derick Brassard $5891 |
