Top Budget Plays
Centers
Christian Dvorak $3600 – The center is a punt play at the least. However, playing against Carolina may set up very well as the center will draw depth Carolina match-ups which are below Corsi relative. He is going to get decent opportunities. Dvorak has points in five of his last six games. More importantly, Carolina is just allowing too many scoring chances at the wrong times. They allowed six goals to Colorado on Thursday night.
Wingers
Tyler Motte $3400 – Keep in mind that Motte is taking full advantage of his increased role (thanks to the injury to Cam Atkinson). He has two goals in two games and will draw decent depth match-ups against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Do not expect much power play time but his speed will cause much frustration for Tampa. Danton Heinen is a viable option for only a few hundred dollars more.
Defensemen
Stephen Johns $3000 – Buffalo gives up a lot of scoring chances and shots lately. They also are having issues with special teams and five on five alike. Buffalo allows four goals a game and has allowed the most daily fantasy points to defensemen in the league. Johns has points in each of his last three full games. The Sabres’ depth or lack thereof can make for some intriguing value plays. Johns is just too low priced on DraftKings to pass up.
Goalie
Antti Raanta $6900 – This is a dangerous GPP play but Carolina is among the top ten in shots on goal but 23rd in actual goals for. Their expected goals for is much higher but again Arizona will give up over 30 shots a night. The other problem is Arizona is allowing over four goals a game at home. This will drive just about everyone away from the Coyotes goalie. Expect ownership to be well below 1% on Saturday night.
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
Tyler Seguin $7500 – 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 a prime match-up against a Buffalo team that does not excel at special teams. Dallas has one of the best power plays in the league at just over 30%. Seguin also has eleven points in his last eight games. Buffalo does not really have a line that can match up with the Seguin line. Basically, there is no shutdown line. Chances will occur.
Wingers
Blake Wheeler $7300 – Though we may be going hard on the risks, Wheeler has been on fire with 15 points in 12 games. Montreal and Winnipeg could play a rather entertaining style of game. Moderately high event outcome is likely here. Montreal often gives as good as it gets too. Al Montoya will be in net for Montreal as Carey Price is nursing a lower body injury. Wheeler and Mark Scheifele have been one of the best duos in the league this season.
Defenseman
Dustin Byfuglien $5500 – Again this could be moderately owned but Byfuglien has moderate to high point potential on Saturday. Winnipeg tends to score a lot of fantasy points especially in the early going. Montreal is among the bottom third in points allowed to defensemen. This also keeps one away from the Dallas chalk. If one wants to go up the price chain then Drew Doughty is reasonably priced. Even Brent Burns is only at $7200 and is up against Anaheim, who will be on the back end of a back to back.
Goalie
Andrei Vasilevskiy $7800 – There may be better choices, but this has potential to work well. He just keeps on winning. Vasilevskiy has won ten of his twelve starts. This has a little risk but despite injuries, Columbus 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. If the goalie plays like he did on Thursday then another quality start (two goals or less allowed) is likely.
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 12 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!
