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 DraftStreet values). Reminder: check Left Wing Lock for up-to-the-minute information on starting goalies.
Games are color-coded as follows:
Green means stack for GPPs. Yellow means targets for cash games. Red means value plays only.
New Jersey Devils at Buffalo Sabres
The Devils hung a six-spot on the Florida Panthers last night with Travis Zajac potting a hat trick. It was a bit of a blip though, as the Devils scored as more goals last night than they did in the previous four games combined. The Devils have only scored 10 goals in their last four games that were the second of a back to back so I’m not sure that they fill the net tonight against Buffalo. One note from the game last night is that Ryane Clowe left with an injury and did not return. That got Tuomo Ruutu back on the top line with Jaromir Jagr
Buffalo has one win in their last 12 games and have given up five power play goals against in their last five games (75-percent). The team has managed three goals just three times in their last 14 games, so I don’t really care that New Jersey is on the second of a back to back. One bright spot for DFS value is that Cory Conacher will be back on the top line and his price is bottom-of-the-barrel cheap right now.
In two previous games between these two teams this year, there were four total goals scored. Other than Cory Schneider in net for New Jersey, I don’t see many good plays in this one tonight. I would try to sneak Conacher into GPP lineups, though.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
Jaromir Jagr (NJD) $9047 |
Cory Conacher (BUF) $6681 |
Travis Zajac (NJD) $6666 |
(NJD) $5719 |
Tuomo Ruutu (NJD) $2773 |
