Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Bargains and values for Wednesday

by Neil Parker

Four games grace the National Hockey League schedule Wednesday, and only the Boston-Pittsburgh bout projects as a pick ’em outing.

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Look for Washington, San Jose and Anaheim to handle Montreal, Colorado and Buffalo, respectively. And outside of taking a contrarian route, a solid lineup can be assembled from the three squads.

GOALIE

Braden Holtby, WAS vs. MON ($36) – Since Dec. 1, the Habs have scored just 71 goals through 35 games, which is the worst goals-per-game mark in the league during that span. Holtby has a 38-6-3 record, too. No team in the league has more than 38 wins. let that sink in. He has been a touch loose of late with a .894 save percentage through his past six games, but his price has also dropped because of it, and he is still 5-1 over that stretch. There is no need to be cute, lock Holtby in your lineup.

Player to avoid:

Robin Lehner, BUF at ANA ($36) – Buffalo is without key cog Ryan O’Reilly, and the jury is out on just how it’ll impact the lineup. Anaheim has scored 3.5 goals per game through its past 22 contests and currently sports a five-game winning streak. Plus, the Ducks own an active 11-4 run at home. Lehner hasn’t beaten a playoff-bound team all season, either.

CENTER

Joe Thornton, SJ at COL ($20) – A model of consistency for a long stretch, Thornton has 39 points including 10 goals through his past 29 games with a plus-15 rating. Additionally, he has only missed the score sheet in three games during the stretch. His cap hit is amazingly low given the high-end production he is returning. Colorado is also allowing 3.0 goals per game through its past five outings and 2.93 at home for the season.

Player to avoid:

Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. PIT ($28) – There are two concerning factors for Bergeron on Wednesday. First, he has a minus-3 rating with just three goals and three assists through his past 10 games, including six games without a point. He’ll also have a tough matchup against Sidney Crosby, who has been a Corsi monster dating back to the Pens’ coaching change in mid-December.

WING

Corey Perry, ANA vs. BUF ($26) – The winger enjoys the Duck Pond and has 16 goals through 29 home games this season and 38 points, including 23 goals, through his past 48 games. This is a nice floor-upside play because of the high shot volume (2.74 per game) and plus matchup. Perry’s price point doesn’t hinder your ability to spend up elsewhere, either.

Nick Ritchie, ANA vs. BUF ($12) – Expected to play with Corey Perry and Rickard Rakell, Ritchie is a nice flier at minimum price. The rookie has 28 points including 15 goals through 33 games with the San Diego Gulls of the American Hockey League and is now with the big club for a second stint. Keep your expectations in check, but the savings alone should reward Wednesday.

Player to avoid:

Evander Kane, BUF at ANA ($26) – It would be wise to take a wait-and-see approach with Kane following Ryan O’Reilly‘s injury. The duo began to show nice chemistry, and a road date with the Ducks isn’t the spot to roll the dice on Kane with new linemates. Anaheim has allowed just 2.28 goals per home game, too.

DEFENSEMEN

Kris Letang, PIT at BOS ($29) – With five helpers through his past three games and 37 points including eight goals through his past 31 contests, Letang is an elite offensive contributor and also chips in with 104 shots and 55 blocked shots during that span. Boston has also allowed 3.37 goals per home game this season, and the hefty salary should keep Letang’s ownership in check.

Simon Despres, ANA vs. BUF ($12) – Despite posting a single assist through his past four games, Despres still has returned an average of 7.0 Yahoo fantasy points through his peripheral contributions. At minimum price, it is difficult to find a decent floor and reliable option. Lock in a handful of blocked shots and shots with a solid plus-minus, and Despres cruises past value.

Player to avoid:

P.K. Subban, MON at WAS ($23) – The rearguard has missed the score sheet in three of his past four games and lands in an incredibly difficult matchup Wednesday. The Capitals have allowed just 2.17 goals per home game and own a 23-4-2 record at the Verizon Center. Plus, Subban is pointless through two games against Washington this season.

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