Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Rinne, Ekblad solid plays for Tuesday

By Neil Parker

With only eight games on the schedule, it isn’t your typical Tuesday. Additionally, there are a number of intriguing matchups.

Chicago visits Pittsburgh in a tape-measuring game, and Dallas and Washington look to curb each of their first two-game losing streaks of the season against the Rangers and Bruins, respectively.

And finally, the Panthers aim for their 10th straight win in a road tilt against Buffalo.

Here are some value leans and pans to help set your daily lineups.

GOALIE

Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. WPG ($31) – The Jets have struggled away from home this season and have an underwhelming 7-14-1 record with an average of just 2.36 goals per game. Rinne, on the other hand, has played his best in Music City over the past two seasons with a combined 37-12-7 record and a save percentage north of .920. At his cap hit, and in this matchup, Rinne is a lineup building block. 

Goalie to avoid:

Corey Crawford, CHI at PIT ($40) – Similar to their division foes, the Blackhawks have also had a tough time away from home. Chicago is just 8-8-3 on the road this season while allowing 3.37 goals per game, and Crawford has an .893 save percentage and a 3.23 goals-against average in away games. With Pittsburgh winners of two straight and potentially finally finding its form offensively, the cap hit is steep to target Crawford in a road contest.

CENTER

Tyler Johnson, TB at CGY ($17) – The band is back together, as Johnson is back between running mates Ondrej Palat ($15) and Nikita Kucherov ($23). In an A+ matchup with Calgary still allowing over three goals per game at home, and overall for the season, while also dealing with a few injuries. Johnson’s 6.9 shooting percentage is due for positive regression, too.

Center to avoid:

Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. WAS ($25) – Bergeron has exceeded offensively all season and is currently scoring at a career-best rate. Enter the Capitals, who are looking to snap their longest losing drought — just two games — of the season and allowing only 2.16 goals per game. Additionally, Bergeron projects to match up against the best offensive players Washington has to offer. 

WING

Filip Forsberg, NSH vs. WPG ($23) – With four goals, three assists and 22 shots on net in his past eight games, Forsberg is in the midst of a nice run and grabs a plus-matchup Tuesday. Winnipeg has allowed 3.27 goals per game on the road this season. Plus, Forsberg plays all the top offensive minutes and starts 70.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone.

Valeri Nichushkin, DAL at NYR ($12) – Fresh off a two-goal, 21.0-fantasy-point showing in his latest outing, Nichushkin checks out as an upside source of cap relief Monday. He has been extremely inconsistent offensively this season but projects to receive top-six minutes and could be kick-starting another hot stretch. Remember, Nichushkin posted seven points — two goals — through a five-game stretch earlier this season.

Wing to avoid:

Patrice Hornqvist, PIT vs. CHI ($24) – Hornqvist skated on a new-look line with Nick Bonino($16) and Conor Sheary ($12) during practice Monday, and it can’t be spun as a positive for his fantasy value. While he’ll still receive power-play looks with the No. 1 unit, the cap hit is too steep for a player with just 16 points through 38 games.

DEFENSEMEN

Aaron Ekblad, FLA at BUF ($20) – Paying for Ekblad’s floor and hoping he finds the score sheet has been in play for an extended period. He has five goals and three assists with a plus-9 rating and 25 shots on goal through his past 13 games and plays top minutes. Buffalo has also lost four straight and allowed 3.2 goals per game over its past five outings, so the matchup checks out, too.

Defenseman to avoid:

Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. MON ($18) – There is potential for this pan to go completely wrong, but Gostisbehere hasn’t found the score sheet in three straight games, and with Mark Streit healthy, Gostisbehere’s role with the No. 1 power-play unit could be in jeopardy. It was a lot easier to target Gostisbehere when his cap hit was at or near minimum price.

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