Some suggestions on bargain players for your FanDuel or DraftKings lineups…

Top Budget Plays

Centers

Casey Cizikas $3500 – The center is a crazy play but the Islanders are on their third game in fourth nights. However, Metropolitan Division games can get strange. He is a good bottom-six player who can occasionally contribute on offense. There are not many value picks on this Saturday but the hard-checking forward may get a few opportunities against a Carolina team that will have lapses near their net.

Wingers

Lauri Korpikoski $3400 – There is a theme here that the risks must go higher. Korpikoski has six points in nine games and very quietly at that. The shot volume is not the most consistent with him but he is taking advantage of opportunities. Minnesota does not always fare well in Dallas and it may come down to depth forwards providing a surprise contribution here and there. Dallas just plays better at home and the forward did have four shots in his last meeting against Minnesota.

Defensemen

Scott Mayfield $2900 – Hey, why not! Travis Hamonic is on the IR and for now, Mayfield has taken over his spot. How long does this last? That is anyone’s guess. He had three points in three games during his last call-up but only two shots on net. Mayfield will have to shoot more or at least attempt shots. It will be intriguing to see how fresh he is compared to the rest of the blueline for New York. He may even play a little more this time around.    

Goalie

Jared Coreau $6800 – This is an extremely dangerous GPP play because of how good Pittsburgh can be. They are up against an angry Penguins team. Please note that if Coreau does not get the start, Petr Mrazek is only $7000. Both goalies are worth a flier at best but should face a ton of shots. If Detroit can somehow have an offensive outburst, then there is a slight chance at a win even. Value would probably be a 30+ save, two goal allowed effort.         

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

Auston Matthews $7600 – People will run to the chalk but Matthews scored four goals the last time in Ottawa. Not much has changed in Kanata and though no one is expecting another pants trick, Matthews could do well once more. The center has 24 points in 20 road games by the way and that is enough alone to warrant a roster spot in cash and in most GPP formats. Expect him to be ridiculously owned on Saturday even with the 10-game evening slate.

Wingers

Joe Pavelski $7200 – Though we may be going all in, Pavelski is arguably worth it. He has 11 points in his last ten games which includes four goals in his last nine. At any time, the winger can go over five shots on net with a multiple point night. St. Louis just allowed five goals to Los Angeles and their road numbers are approaching 3.75 goals a game given up a night. The Sharks could be a late hammer or at least parts of their lineups. Pavelski is just too versatile and yet reasonably priced.       

Defenseman

Brent Burns $8200 – Again San Jose should be a ridiculous favorite on Saturday. Burns has seen his shot volume decrease by a good bit over the last 10 or 11 games but still has 1.4 points a game in that span. Burns has four goals on his previous 33 shots. Blocks have come up to nearly two a game. Burns expects to be the highest owned defenseman easily on Saturday. St. Louis had a hard time matching up on the road against a tough Los Angeles team and the same can be said about San Jose, who has more offensive firepower.   

Goalie

Carey Price $7500 – The choices out there may appear to be better but it is hard to go away from an all-world goalie. Price is playing against the Rangers on the back end of a back to back after coming off a bye. His price is lower than most of our high price plays but he is a high-end play. That may be the way to look at it. He will respond after getting shelled for seven goals in Minnesota.

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 nine 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!