Top Budget Plays

Centers

Riley Nash $3400 – The center is a decent play at the least. However, playing against Carolina and their improving penalty kill is not the most optimal on the surface. At the same time, Nash has points in four of his last six games. It is sometimes tough to say “chase the points” but the forward is playing well. His shot output is a bit erratic at times but with Danton Heinen and David Backes pacing the line, Nash is enjoying the ride. Points are needed to hit value.

Wingers

Anthony Duclair $3100 – This is one of the riskiest plays all year. No one is saying this will work perfectly but Duclair wants out of Arizona but will have to show he can play to get his wish. He did score in his last game, but his shot output is still troublesome. Too many games where he is just does not get quality shots on net. When one sees a lot of 0s, 1s, and 2s, that is ominous. Hopefully, the speed he has shown in flashes lately is seen again.

Defensemen

Patrik Nemeth $3500 –There may be better plays like Jaccob Slavin or Cody Ceci even, but Nemeth could be a nice punt play for a low price. His floor is high (shots and blocked shots combined). Risk always exists with value plays, but Minnesota has been shooting more of late and Colorado will give up opportunities as good as they get. Nemeth is blocks machine in particular averaging 5+ blocks over the last seven contests.

Goalie

Antti Raanta $7000 – This is a dangerous GPP play but this is an Arizona team that allows lots of shots on net (more than 34 per 60 overall). The goalie has played well for the most part this year and faces his former team for the first time. His .915 save percentage on the Coyotes is average adjusted to around a .923 anywhere else. The New York Rangers have problems generating shots at times but again Arizona is so accommodating at home.                 

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 $7900 – People will run to this as it will be a chalky play that still has to be used in quite a few lineups. The center has a solid matchup against an unrested Ottawa team that is not playing well. Stamkos has been consistent of late with only one high output night in his last six contests. Again, the Senators cannot control pace all that well as seen by Friday night’s game against San Jose. Stamkos is just too much of a threat with Nikita Kucherov. Expect the highest ownership on the night from that duo.

Wingers

Brad Marchand $7300 – Carolina yields nearly 3.1 goals per game on the road and has had some real stinkers in the past against Boston at times. Boston also had a few extra dats of rest due to the snowstorm that postponed their game on Thursday. Marchand had run into a bit of a rough stretch until a multiple point effort in his last outing. Marchand is one of the higher projected wingers on the night. He will need that just to exceed value on Saturday. This is a moderate risk pick.                      

Defenseman

Jared Spurgeon $5200 – Again this will not be heavily owned, but Spurgeon has moderate to high point potential on Saturday. Colorado may not allow the most chances in the league, but they do yield the tenth most chances at home. Spurgeon’s floor has slowly crept up to pre-injury levels and Minnesota will not be as highly owned as they should be after that six-goal outburst against Buffalo. For higher priced alternatives, try Drew Doughty or Victor Hedman.

Goalie

Tuukka Rask $8300 – There may be better choices, but this has potential to work well. Carolina is one of those teams that can generate lots of shots yet often does not score a ton. Rask has won six straight starts and has seen his numbers improve to a 2.09 GAA and .925 save percentage. That include five straight quality starts as well. This is more of a cash play but would not be shocked to see it in a GPP given Carolina’s shot projections of late (30+).

Chris Wassel has been playing DFS for the past several years and has played Fantasy Hockey for three decades. You can follow him on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. We are targeting the seven 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!