Top Budget Plays

Centers

Tyson Jost $2700 – The center is a punt play at the least. However, playing against Dallas may set up very good as the center will get depth match-ups mostly. He had a goal in his last game and is seeing about 15-16 minutes a night. Dallas is likely to play a wide-open style which sets up well for Colorado, who cannot exactly play defense themselves. The Dallas penalty kill is something to be attacked and Jost might see a power play shift or two.

Wingers

Craig Smith $3200 – There is just a theme here that we must go insane. Smith has eleven points including three goals in his last nine games. Winnipeg will give up goals even if they win and Smith seems to have these patented late season push. The ice time could be a little dicey but this is Winnipeg and most will be on the expected plays. This is about as unexpected as they come unless you have a heavy background in dynasty leagues.

Defensemen

Julius Honka $2800 – Hey, why not! Honka has two points in his last five games while average just about two shots per night. Every game is an adventure at this point for Dallas and Colorado gives up well over three goals a game on the road. His price is so low that it does not take much for him to hit value. On a slate as big as this, whatever value one can find, the better.                

Goalie

Mike Smith $6900 – This is a dangerous GPP play but Smith is cheap enough to make this worth something at least in a few lineups. His numbers have been decent enough and the goalie is well rested. Minnesota is set in their seeding and will rest several players, maybe more. There is a possibility Arizona gets the backup goalie even. Arizona is 3-1-1 in their last five contests. This play is going to be moderately owned on some slates.                  

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

Connor McDavid $8400 – People will run to this as it will be chalky. That just means McDavid will be owned at an elevated rate. He had a nice run of points and has 22 points in his last 13 games! Expect him to get some opportunities against Vancouver as the Canucks are one of the weaker teams in the league at home. It is almost to the point where he is the play every Saturday for the past several weeks. He has delivered each Saturday and exceeded value every single time. Vancouver’s penalty kill has been giving up a lot of chances and at even strength, unblocked shot attempts keep getting through at too high of a rate.

Wingers

Blake Wheeler $6800 – Though we may be going hard against Nashville, it is justified given that the right winger is shooting like he did a few years ago. He has 33 shots on goal in his last ten games and has four goals. Power play points and shooting percentage is elevated and still rising. The right winger will be a hair more owned because of the game stack possibilities from this contest. He has been the most consistent Jets player all year and this hot stretch of 1.5 points per game over the last dozen contests is impressive! Nashville’s penalty kill has shown some leaks on and off all year as well.                  

Defenseman

Alex Pietrangelo $5800 – Again this is not as high priced as normal but Pietrangelo has nine points in his last ten games. That includes five goals, four assists, 30 shots, and 15 blocks as well. Three power play points in the previous nine contests never hurts either. Carolina may not be the greatest match-up but there is still enough potential anyway. The recommendation is to give it a a go or try to spend down to Justin Faulk or Jacob Trouba.

Goalie

Jaroslav Halak $7900 – The choices out there may appear to be better but this potential to work well. He has four straight wins while allowing just four goals. New Jersey’s offense does little unless it is on the power play a lot. At even strength, they are 29^th in the league. A weak offense that is just playing out the string may be just appetizing enough for DFS players to take in cash lineups. New Jersey could put up a ton of shots on net. There is risk but there is also reward here.

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 eleven 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 slate daily fantasy hockey fans!