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 stack for GPPs. Yellow means targets for cash games. Red means value plays only.
Montreal Canadiens at Chicago Blackhawks
The Habs have already folded in the tent for tonight as it was announced the Alexei Emelin, Andrei Markov and Carey Price would all be given the night off. The latter of that trio will be starting tomorrow against the Islanders.
The Habs’ power play has gone 0-for-17 over their last five games and that probably won’t be aided much with the absence of Markov tonight. I’m not particularly fond of Montreal tonight; they will be without two of their top four defensemen and the back-up goalie Peter Budaj has been below-average since December. The team has averaged about 38 shots on goal against in their last three games and defense like that is a quick way to a loss when playing Chicago.
The Blackhawks themselves are without Jonathan Toews but there was good news this morning as Patrick Kane was on the ice. He’s not game-ready yet, but it shouldn’t be long it seems. Even without those two players, the ‘Hawks have won three straight games and those games were against seemingly playoff-bound teams: St. Louis, Columbus, and Minnesota.
When a team throws in the towel for a game like the Habs are tonight, one of two things happen: They gut-out a close win or get the doors blown off. Considering how this team has played defensively lately, I’ll take Option B. I would stack some of the Blackhawks for GPPs and will have Corey Crawford as my goaltender.
|
Top RW Value |
Top LW Value |
Top C Value |
Top D Value |
Bargain Bin |
|
(CHI) $9797 |
(CHI) $6258 |
(MTL) $6215 |
(CHI) $4949 |
(CHI) $5755 |
