Top Budget Plays

Centers

Christian Dvorak $3300 – The center is a punt play at the least. However, playing against New Jersey may set up very good as the center will get some top line ice time. He is going to get decent opportunities. Dvorak has three points in his last four games. More importantly, New Jersey is a young team themselves with their own defensive growing pains.

Wingers

Luke Kunin $3200 – There is just a theme here that we must go completely crazy. Keep in mind that Kunin is taking full advantage of his increased role. He has three points in five games and will draw decent depth match-ups against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Do not expect much power play time but his speed definitely will cause much frustration for Pittsburgh. Danton Heinen is a viable option for only a few hundred dollars more.

Defensemen

Darnell Nurse $3400 – Hey, why not! Washington gives up a lot of scoring chances and shots lately. They also are not the same without Matt Niskanen. Nurse is seeing more and more impact ice time. Playing with Connor McDavid certainly helps but the fact that the defenseman has been sneaking some power play time is a positive sign. His ability to hit the SABS (Shots and Blocked Shots) helps as well given his lower price. No one expects him to exceed value by a ton but by just enough.
 

Goalie

James Reimer $7500 – This is a dangerous GPP play but Florida has allowed 113 shots in his last three starts. Even Detroit should get in the high 20’s to near 30 in shots on goal against the Panthers. Reimer’s reasonably low price on Saturday may draw some attention. Yes, it has been hit or miss with Florida goaltending in general in October. However, with so much offensive firepower on this slate, saving even a few hundred dollars can make all the difference between cashing and not cashing.                       

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

Steven Stamkos $7700 – People will run to this as it will be a chalky play that still has to be used in at least a lineup or two. The center has 21 points in just 11 games. That includes four goals. This is the scary part as Stamkos has had some outstanding scoring chances. For those that are not quite interested in the predictable, there are other options. Vincent Trochek or Aleksander Barkov come to mind in the higher priced tiers. Even Auston Matthews may not be quite as highly owned on Saturday as usual.

Wingers

Nikita Kucherov $7600 – Though we may be going hard on the risks, Kucherov has been on fire with points in eleven straight games. Anaheim and Tampa could play a rather entertaining style of game. Moderately high-event outcome is likely here. Tampa often gives as good as it gets too. This will set up well to try and sneak value Anaheim plays on Saturday. Besides that, the right wing is part of one of the most dangerous power plays in the league.                 

Defenseman

Drew Doughty $6000 – Again this could be moderately owned but Doughty has been hitting value and occasionally exceeding it. Los Angeles tends to generate a lot of fantasy points especially in the early going. Along with Jake Muzzin and Alec Martinez, these defensemen often hit right around target which is fine. This is a risk to take but the reward could be worth it especially as a one-off or part of a mini contrarian stack. Shayne Gostisbehere could be a fun choice as well given how wild things can get in Toronto.

Goalie

Andrei Vasilevskiy $8000 – There may be better choices, but this has potential to work well. He just keeps on winning. Vasilevskiy has won nine of his ten starts. This has a little risk but despite injuries, Anaheim has found ways to crank up their shot total. Tampa is the type of team that gives as good as it gets. They may not be at the Toronto level, but fun is in their vocabulary. This keeps Vasilevskiy more than active which increases his viability to be played especially in cash games.

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