The best players for Daily Fantasy Hockey, today, October 31, 2015.

Top Budget Plays

Centers

Leo Komarov $3,300 – Value is value and Komarov does tie for the Toronto team lead in points with five. While the forward plays on the top line with Nazem Kadri and James Van Riemsdyk, one might as well take the wave and surf it to its end. Pittsburgh is a strange team to play against and Toronto will be a bit ornery after losing a potential point against the New York Rangers. Komarov could be a very sneaky play.

Wingers

Beau Bennett $2,500 – There have been some injurious times for Bennett who has played a little over 100 games but has missed 90+ games in his NHL career. His low PDO makes him a bit attractive and though he starts on the third line, Bennett does roam into the top six occasionally which at least ups his even-strength potential. At that minimum price, he does not have to do much to provide value and he does allow for higher priced targets.

Defensemen

Darnell Nurse $2,800 – Calgary just seems like a wounded animal and yet though they may be dangerous, that might be a good thing for a defenseman like Nurse. He has looked pretty good in his two games up with Edmonton. Nurse is playing a decent 19 minutes a night and does not look lost out there unlike Justin Schultz on defense. That is a positive sign and for his price, your salary cap will thank you.

Goalie

Petr Mrazek $7,000 – Detroit and Ottawa complete their back-to-back and Mrazek gets to start against Ottawa who has looked shaky at home this year. He has not had the greatest of luck this year but the Senators do give up goals in their own friendly confines. The Red Wings have had trouble scoring lately but Mrazek has stood pretty tall for the most part. At the very least, you can save a little money and take a shot in higher risk GPP’s here.

Since we saved some money on the budget plays let’s look at the few of the pricey options that are worth paying up for today.

Centers

Nicklas Backstrom $6,700– It is nothing like playing a team from the old Southeast Division that is a bit banged up. Florida does not have two-thirds of its top line though Jaromir Jagr will be a game time decision. Backstrom has been on fire anyway and his minutes are back up to over 20 minutes which means simply he is back to normal. That Capitals power play is dynamite and Backstrom has seven points in five games. He is too good not to have him in your lineup.

Wingers

Alex Ovechkin $9,300 – This is like the days where you get the sense that Ovechkin could shoot early, late, and often. The last couple games have been a bit tougher for the winger but arguably Ovechkin plays a bit less but is more effective on the road in the early going. With Evgeni Kuznetsov, Washington has one of the most feared first lines out there in the league. Everyone remembers that 20 round shootout last year. It will not be decided in that manner this year.

Defensemen

John Carlson $6,400 – Oh people forget that Carlson’s PDO is actually right near average. For some reason it is assumed that it is a good bit higher. It is just simply that Washington is executing better while he is on the ice. That is important as he continues his development and upward momentum toward the top of his scoring arc (whatever that may be). His playmaking on the power play is a bigger and bigger asset. Yes this makes a triple from the Capitals on Halloween.

Goalie

Marc-Andre Fleury $7,700 – Fleury beat Toronto exactly two weeks ago in Toronto as the goalie gave up just one early goal in an unexpectedly tight game. The Maple Leafs have some issue scoring and there is no secret about it. They do play teams tough but in the end, ultimately wind up losing and routinely. Yes, people expected Holtby here but hedging due to the availability of Jaromir Jagr is probably a smart move under the circumstances. Fleury, by the way, has been incredible for the Penguins and arguably their best player. This game will be a test for the goalie but that may be a good thing.

Chris Wassel has been playing DFS for the last year and has played Fantasy Hockey for over two decades. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. Please note the expansive entries on a big Saturday slate. We are targeting the seven game night slate, we will have day game breakdowns on Twitter.