Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Finding value for your Saturday lineup
By Sasha Yodashkin
Saturday’s eight-game evening NHL slate is full of rivalry games with six divisional matchups on tap. Many of the players in action are familiar with their opponents, so drawing on their extensive histories is a good way to find strong fantasy assets. That’s one of many effective strategies for finding value plays, and all of the players listed below should earn strong consideration for DFS lineups for a variety of reasons.
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GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. WPG ($35) – Varlamov has won four consecutive starts for the surging Avalanche, allowing exactly one goal in each of those contests. Considering the Jets will be traveling all the way from Winnipeg for the second game of a back-to-back, the Russian netminder has an excellent chance of delivering his fifth strong performance in a row. At only $35, he’s well worth a look.
Goalie to Avoid:
Devan Dubnyk, MIn at STL ($34) – Dubnyk is feeling the brunt of Minnesota’s slide down the standings, as he is now winless in his last seven starts. With the Wild facing the night’s most expensive goalie in Brian Elliott, Dubnyk’s chances of getting back in the win column don’t look too good.
CENTER
Ryan Spooner, BOS vs. BUF ($19) – Spooner has been incredibly consistent since being asked to play a bigger offensive role for the Bruins, posting at least 5.0 fantasy points in 13 of his last 16 games. He scored a goal in Thursday’s road win over the Sabres, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see a repeat performance at home two days later.
Center to Avoid:
Logan Couture, SJ at NSH ($20) – Couture has struggled to find much offensive rhythm in an injury-plagued campaign. His most recent three-game pointless streak has left him with just 10 points in 20 games, making it difficult to justify spending $20 on him.
WING
Patric Hornqvist, PIT at FLA ($24) – Hornqvist has come alive in 2016, registering 15 points in 13 games since Dec. 31. He’s starting to gel with Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz on Pittsburgh’s top line, and is beginning to make up for his early struggles as a result. Now that he’s seeing big minutes alongside talented linemates, the five-time 20-goal scorer should keep piling up points at a high rate.
Gabriel Landeskog, COL vs.WPG ($22) – Landeskog has dominated the Jets this season, recording four points in three games against his Central Division foes. Colorado’s captain already has nine goals and 13 assists through 26 home games, and a tired opponent that he has found success against presents an excellent opportunity for him to add to those totals. With four goals and a plus-4 rating in his last five games, Landeskog also has plenty of momentum heading into this game.
Wings to Avoid:
Patrick Sharp, DAL vs. CHI ($22) – Sharp hasn’t scored a goal in 11 games, and has an atrocious minus-7 rating over that span. Stay away from him until he shows signs of turning things around.
Filip Forsberg, NSH vs. SJ ($19) – Forsberg has just three points in his last 11 games to go along with a minus-7 rating. Expecting a significant deviation from that trend would be foolish against goaltender Martin Jones, who has won eight of his last 10 starts.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY at VAN ($27) – After playing through injury early in the season, Giordano has woken up offensively with 27 points in his last 27 games entering the weekend. The veteran defenseman is no pushover in his own end, either, as his 122 blocked shots lead all defensemen priced at $22 or higher. There’s no better combination of offensive and defensive production available regardless of price.
Jason Demers, DAL vs.CHI ($14) – Demers has been outproducing his price lately, averaging 7.4 fantasy points per game over his last five. He won’t see much run in DFS with Dallas facing the Blackhawks, but those who choose to utilize him will be getting a hot commodity on the cheap while avoiding the annoying overlap with the majority of owners that usually happens when such a tremendous value becomes available.
Defensemen to Avoid:
Jacob Trouba, WPG at COL ($17) – Trouba is a decent shot-blocker, but has just 11 points in 50 games played. While his floor isn’t terrible, the blueliner’s low ceiling makes him a poor DFS investment.
Brent Seabrook, CHI at DAL ($17) – Seabrook has only one point in his last eight games, as the Blackhawks have relied on other options to fulfill their offensive need. If you’re going to go with a Chicago defenseman Saturday, Duncan Keith ($20) is a higher-upside option for a similar price.
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