They said to order the Special…so here we go guys. 

Top Budget Plays

Centers

Calle Jarnkrok $3400 – The center is a punt play at the least. However, playing against Chicago adds a little intrigue to things because Chicago is on their third game in four nights. It will be risky as the center only has four points in his last ten games on decreasing shot and chance volume. However, the depth of Chicago may be gassed since several players have been ill or injured. The pivot has a shot at surprising against the lowered tier of the Blackhawks on Saturday night.

Wingers

Jordan Weal $3400 – There is just a theme here that we must go crazier. Weal is facing the best team in the league in Washington. The one thing he does do is shoot the puck early and often. His ice time is inching upward and that may be the reason why he gets more of a play. The chances should stay up for him as he keeps on skating and shooting. He would be considering a contrarian of contrarian shots.

Defensemen

Jake McCabe $3300 – Hey, why not! McCabe has points in three straight games and though his floor is low, his price is low enough to mitigate that risk. He has been on the power play for Buffalo too and Tampa does allow more points than others to defensemen when it comes to DFS (fourth-highest). Hot streaks can cool off fast with these types of players and that should be noted. Pivoting up to David Savard may be a safer investment.          

Goalie

Robin Lehner $7500 – This is a dangerous GPP play, but Buffalo does play better at home and Tampa will be on the back end of a back-to-back after playing a high-paced Pittsburgh squad. Lehner has solid numbers, especially at home. He may only be around .500 which will scare off some people. However, his expected lower ownership makes him a plausible play on a night where there are some dynamic options at cheaper prices.              

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

Patrice Bergeron $7200 – People will run to this, as it could be semi-chalky. That just means Bergeron will be owned at an elevated rate. He had a nice run of points snapped on Thursday but still had five shots and a blocked shot. Expect him to get more opportunities against the depth of New Jersey, which is below average to say the least. He still has 14 points in his last ten games on great shot and chance volume. There are several ways to stack him on Saturday, including using the first-unit power play.

Wingers

Patrik Laine $7100 – Though we may be going all in, Laine is hitting the net and getting rewarded for it again. He has eight goals in the previous ten games on 31 shots. Overall, he has 13 points in that span and playing against one of the worst defenses in the league cannot hurt. Colorado is awful in all phases and again gives up the second-most points in daily fantasy to wingers. Goal potential is king, and the rookie has that excellent release which can fool goaltenders easily. Colorado’s penalty kill is hovering near 76% on the road.            

Defenseman

Dustin Byfuglien $6200 – Again this should be a considerable risk, but both Byfuglien and Roman Josi are going to be very good plays. Byfuglien against Colorado should be a mismatch. He has points in five straight games and faces a team that allows the second-most daily fantasy points to defensemen. Josi may be considered to be a hair more chalky by some in higher priced GPPs. It is something to keep an eye on, as Byfuglien will have power-play point potential as well.

Goalie

Tuukka Rask $8300 – The choices out there may appear to be better, but it is hard to go away from an obvious cash goalie. New Jersey has turned the corner in a bad way, much like they did last March when they went on a tailspin. They have lost five straight and managed just 15 shots against Washington on Thursday. Rask stopped 19 of 21 shots against the Rangers, which may turn some people off, but again the expectation of a win is too hard to pass up on a night where goaltending could be all over the place.

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 ten-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 that the bye weeks are over. Thanks for reading and enjoy the big slate daily fantasy hockey fans!