Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Lundqvist, Anisimov smart plays for Sunday
By Sasha Yodashkin
Sunday’s six-game NHL slate features four top-10 offenses and four bottom-10 defenses, so there should be plenty of potentially high-scoring games despite only 12 teams in action. The Rangers-Capitals battle at the top of the Metro Division pits the top two teams in action against each other, but there is plenty of fantasy value to be found in the other five games. Whether through role, momentum, opponent or some combination of the three, the players recommended below are in position to provide excellent bang for the buck.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR vs. WAS ($38) – Lundqvist has struggled a bit lately, but he always seems to bring his A-game against the Capitals. New York’s stellar goaltender is 19-8-3 against Washington in his career, and that’s ignoring his recent playoff heroics against the hapless Capitals. Many will steer clear of Lundqvist due to the tough on-paper matchup, but The King is a great bet to put up an excellent performance at Madison Square Garden on Sunday.
Goalie to Avoid:
Braden Holtby, WAS at NYR ($40) – Holtby’s 3-7-1 career regular season record against the Rangers leaves much to be desired, as does his 17-save, five-goals-allowed effort against them earlier this season. It’s not practical to spend so much money on a goaltender in such an uncomfortable matchup.
CENTER
Artem Anisimov, CHI vs. SJ ($12) – Anisimov’s recent slump has led to a reduction in price all the way to the minimum, but there’s only so long this man can go without logging a point while he plays alongside the historically hot Patrick Kane. Facing the bottom-10 Sharks defense at home is a good time for the Russian center to find the scoresheet again, and indirectly investing in Kane’s playmaking and plus/minus potential for the minimum price is a great way to get a leg up on the competition while leaving all options open for the rest of your lineup.
Center to Avoid:
Jonathan Toews, CHI vs. SJ ($19) – Chicago’s captain has been out of sorts lately, with 3.0 or less fantasy points in nine of his last 12 games. Avoid Toews until he gets his production back up to his lofty standards.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. OTT ($23) – Kucherov is red hot with six goals in his last seven games after recording just six in his first 26. Ottawa’s 24th-ranked defense is hardly in position to stop the streaking winger, as Tampa Bay’s first-line right wing is finally gaining momentum on the heels of a 65-point campaign a season ago. Roll out Kucherov with confidence, as his recent performances make him well worth his price.
Justin Abdelkader, DET vs. CGY ($17) – Abdelkader has seen extensive playing time recently, logging more than 18:00 four times in the last eight games while scoring five times in that span. There’s no reason to anticipate Abdelkader slowing against the NHL’s worst defense, making him an enticing option at a friendlier price than the majority of his offensively capable teammates in Detroit
Wings to Avoid:
Rick Nash, NYR vs. WSH ($25) – Nash has 17 points against teams outside the playoff picture this season, and just six against playoff teams, so don’t expect much production against a Capitals squad that is firmly in the playoff picture at the moment. Nash’s 0.0 fantasy-point performance against this same Capitals team earlier this season is indicative of the type of game he will most likely have in the rematch.
Mike Cammalleri, NJ at BOS ($20) – Cammalleri’s production has predictably plummeted recently, as he has just a single assist in his last five contests. It was always ridiculous to expect the veteran to maintain his early season pace after failing to top 50 points in any of his last seven campaigns, and $20 is too much to pay for a 50-point caliber player.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY at DET ($21) – Giordano has come alive offensively in his last 10 games, registering three goals and five assists after just four total points in his first 21 appearances of the season. The veteran defenseman’s offensive pedigree suggests this recent pace is more representative of his true ability, so it’s only a matter of time until his price rises as he continues to produce. Get the in-form Giordano for cheap while you still can.
Zdeno Chara, BOS vs. NJ ($17) – The hulking blueliner has benefitted from being part of the Bruins’ well-oiled offensive machine the last 10 games, registering an impressive plus-7 rating with seven points in that span. It’s remarkable that Chara can still be had for $17 considering his 18 points and plus-13 rating in just 29 games both put him firmly in the upper echelon of NHL defensemen despite his advanced age.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. WSH ($18) – McDonagh has registered an embarrassing 49.0 fantasy points in his last 11 outings combined, topping 4.0 just twice in that span. His formerly robust plus/minus has decreased from plus-13 to a much more pedestrian plus-6 while the hot-starting Rangers have scuffled recently, and a tough matchup against the division-leading Capitals probably won’t help things.
Brent Burns, SJ at CHI ($30) – Burns has been productive offensively lately, but his abhorrent plus/minus continues to submarine an otherwise excellent campaign. Considering he’ll be tasked with slowing Patrick Kane and Chicago’s talented top offensive players, there’s a strong chance he submarines his minus-13 mark even further Sunday.
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