With several Canucks' players out with the mumps, Martin Jones should be a strong Saturday play.

Top Budget Plays

Centers

Bracken Kearns $2600 – The center is a punt play at the least. However, playing against New Jersey adds a little intrigue to things because Columbus is coming off the bye week. Columbus was also kind of rusty when it came to before their bye. Sneaking in a fourth liner for near minimum price is highly risky, but sometimes there just needs to be price relief. This will help in that and for the upper priced talent that one can afford.

Wingers

Jarome Iginla $3500 – There is just a theme here that we must go crazier. Iginla is facing a Buffalo team with a disastrous penalty kill and the one thing that Iginla can do is be a presence. The shot volume has improved slightly at 2.3 shots per game over the previous three nights. Iginla should not be traded over the weekend but one never knows. Right now, he is a relief play on Saturday until conditions change.

Defensemen

David Schlemko $3300 – Hey, why not! Schlemko had four assists and 21 shots on goal in the last ten games. It is high risk but the defenseman can get pucks on net. This all comes down to if he gets the ice time and the chances. Vancouver will allow lots of shots and high quality opportunities. This is another value play that could pay off big. On an evening slate like this, players will need all the help they can get if they choose to fade Pittsburgh/Philadelphia.         

Goalie

Cory Schneider $7200 – This is an extremely dangerous GPP play because New Jersey has won just five home games since starting out 8-0-2 in Newark. The goalie has a .935 save percentage in his last nine starts and has a 5-3-1 record. He has also been seeing 30+ shots a night consistently as well. The Rangers have that potential with their balanced lineup. New Jersey’s defense gives up shots and power plays at home at a high rate. The home penalty kill is among the worst in the league which is a concern.             

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

John Tavares $7500 – People will run to this as it could be semi-chalky. That just means Tavares will be owned at an elevated rate. He has goals in three straight games and is averaging nearly four shots per night. The problem is Columbus coming off the bye week makes things a bit screwy. Tavares could still be a good play on Saturday but other options do exist out there. Jack Eichel may have higher goal potential against Colorado just because it is Colorado. The bright side is that even with this medium slate, there are enough options.

Wingers

Alex Ovechkin $8300 – Though we may be going all in, Ovechkin has multiple goal potential against Nashville on Saturday. The one concern is all the missed shots again. Ovechkin has missed 30 shots on net in the previous ten games (32 have hit the net). He does have nine points in the previous ten games. Nashville does not have a true shutdown line to a point and that may be good for Ovechkin owners. Most are going to concentrate on him as a cash option but tournament viability is decent.            

Defenseman

Roman Josi $6000 – Again this should be a considerable risk, but Josi has four goals and ten points in the last ten games. He is averaging over five shots and blocked shots per night combined. He has 21 points in 29 home contests and just provides a little more point potential in Nashville. Washington has won with Braden Holtby in net for what feels like forever and the Predators may be worth a shot here including Josi.

Goalie

Martin Jones $7900 – The choices out there may appear to be better, but it is hard to go away from an obvious cash goalie. Vancouver has trouble scoring goals as it is. Add in four players out with the mumps and that makes Jones an even more attractive play. San Jose has a potent road offense and the news only helps there too. That should give Jones a margin of error to work with. The only slight concern is that the Sharks are 2-0-3 in their last five contests and that pesky bye week.

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. We are targeting the seven 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. Also, remember there are no teams on bye weeks until next week. Thanks for reading and enjoy the big slate daily fantasy hockey fans!