Use Pacioretty and these other options for daily fantasy success.

Top Budget Plays

Centers

Ryan Strome $3500 – The center is enjoying a modest bump in ice time in the last few games and has five points in the previous nine contests. It is not much but considering how poorly Strome started out, this is progress. He has ten shots on net in the last 180 minutes plus which is a positive sign. As long as the chances keep pouring in, Strome will see top six caliber ice time by the end of each night.

Wingers

Jayson Megna $3200 – There is just a theme here that the risks must get crazier. Megna has the speed and pace to be able to keep up with the Sedin Twins. He had a decent debut in game number one with them and had three shots. Two were of the higher danger variety. He makes for a solid punt play on a night where there are not as many with the slate the way it is set up. It will allow you to spend up almost anywhere and everywhere else.

Defensemen

Nick Holden $3500 – Hey, why not! Holden suddenly is a viable defenseman fantasy wise and the Rangers seem to be playing him a little more over the last ten starts. The result is five points in his last four contests on eight shots. He has four goals in the last nine games. Even the shot volume has crept up to about two a night. The Rangers are playing a Colorado team that has only won four times at home all season!  

Goalie

Peter Budaj $7400 – This is an extremely dangerous GPP play because of how good San Jose has handled Los Angeles. However, Budaj has been pretty consistent in net for the Kings and that is all that can be asked of him. He has great numbers in his last nine decisions but only three wins despite a sub 2.00 GAA and .936 save percentage. The Kings just are not scoring with him in net sadly. When Vancouver looks like it has a top flight offense compared to yours, that is never good. That being said, he is still cheap.        

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.

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Centers

Sidney Crosby $8500 – People will run to the chalk but Crosby is just a plug and automatic play at this juncture. It almost does not matter whether it is tournament, cash, etc. He has 26 goals in 31 games. He has a goal in five straight contests. The forward is match-up proof for all intents and purposes. Do you need a neon sign to play him somewhere? It is okay to ride the wave even against Montreal err is that especially against Montreal?

Wingers

Max Pacioretty $6500 – Though we may be buying a little lower than usual here, all Pacioretty has done is score eight times in the last ten games. Goals are king in DFS and the winger even averages over three shots a night too. He draws a good match-up against Pittsburgh’s second line potentially at times which is a little deficient on the defensive side. The Penguins will give up their fair share of chances so look at Phillip Danault for something on the cheaper realm.      

Defenseman

Justin Schultz $5500 – Again this is not super high but remember the options are a little more limited on this Saturday than usual. Schultz has ten points in his last ten and 17 in the last 16. Once upon a time, he was at the top of this article. We have used him a bunch of times and cashed in some dollars. Look at where he is now! He is a threat in all phases now and Montreal is a prime match-up on Saturday night.   

Goalie

Henrik Lundqvist $8300 – The choices out there may appear to be better but it is hard to go away from a goalie who is playing against Colorado in Colorado. Lundqvist probably will face a decent amount of shots too. It is a nice game for a player who has not played since that debacle against Minnesota. Before that and the flu, Lundqvist had three excellent starts in net. He will be a highly owned cash option on Saturday night based on match-ups and projections. Some may take the plunge on him in tournament formats too.

Chris Wassel has been playing DFS for the past couple years and has played Fantasy Hockey for over two decades. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. Please note that this is a mega Saturday slate. We are targeting the eight game evening slate to give readers more of a range on what to go on. Finally, please note that Saturday’s slate has several options and smaller Late options. Thanks for reading and enjoy the big slate daily fantasy hockey fans!