Advertisement

Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Finding value plays for Thursday's NHL slate

By Sasha Yodashkin
RotoWire Hockey Writer

Thursday's seven-game Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey slate features the 2015-16 debuts of a few serious Stanley Cup hopefuls, and is noteworthy for a number of matchups that seem lopsided on paper. That said, it's a new season so anything can happen!

[Yahoo Fantasy Hockey: Sign up for a league today]

Finding early season value plays can be tricky due to the potential fluidity of players' roles, but there are more diamonds in the rough to be had at this stage, as some less-established players begin to embark on their breakout campaigns.

GOALIE 

Craig Anderson, OTT at BUF ($35) - A bunch of strong goaltenders face questionable offenses Thursday, but none have a better matchup than Anderson against a Buffalo team that ranked last in goals scored last season. The Sabres looked much better in the preseason, but if they're anywhere near as bad offensively as a season ago, Anderson should have a field day in Ottawa's opener. He will be motivated to impress from the onset, as any early struggles could open the door for highly regarded backup Andrew Hammond to syphon playing time.

[Play Yahoo Daily Fantasy and get a 100% deposit bonus with your first deposit]

Players to Avoid: 

Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT at DAL ($33) - On the bright side, this isn't a playoff game so there's a legitimate chance Fleury actually plays well. Even so, he's best avoided in a potential shootout with Dallas on a night with a lot of enticing options in goal playing less dangerous opponents.

CENTER 

Jori Lehtera, STL vs. EDM ($14) - Lehtera posted a solid 44 points as a rookie last season, but what makes him an appealing option Thursday is his combination of role and opponent. The Blues take on the lowly Oilers, and Lehtera's slated to center a top line featuring explosive wingers Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko. Even with Edmonton's offseason upgrade in net, Lehtera's line should generate plenty of chances against a suspect defense, giving the Finn top-notch plus-minus potential with any scoring he provides at a reasonable price.

Players to Avoid: 

Eric Staal, CAR at NAS ($17) - Make no mistake, Staal is the centerpiece of Carolina's offense. The problem is it's hard to see him producing against Pekka Rinne and an elite Nashville defense with Kris Versteeg and Elias Lindholm as his wingers.

WING 

Chris Kunitz, PIT at DAL ($16) - Playing Kunitz allows you to invest in one of the NHL's most dangerous lines in a good matchup without having to commit top dollar. Kunitz is only one year removed from a 35-goal campaign and should find plenty of open ice playing with superstar Sidney Crosby and the newly acquired Phil Kessel. While each member of the trio is a threat for big production against a Stars team that allowed the fourth-most goals in the NHL last season, Kunitz comes at a significantly lower price than Crosby or Kessel.

Mark Stone, OTT at BUF ($18) - Stone was third in the NHL in scoring after the All-Star break with 38 points in 36 games, and gets to kick off his second full NHL season against the Sabres. Even if Buffalo turns out to be a tougher opponent compared to a year ago, Stone's price doesn't reflect his second-half productivity. The Sabres' first pairing of Josh Gorges and Rasmus Ristolainen enter the season as one of the NHL's least-threatening top defensive duos, so Stone should have no problem generating chances.

Players to Avoid: 

Benoit Pouliot, EDM at STL ($17) - He's not worth the price tag in a tough matchup skating on a line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Teddy Purcell. Even if you like the Oilers in this one, it makes more sense to take a flier on one of his cheaper teammates.

DEFENSEMEN 

Tyler Myers, WIN at BOS ($14) - Myers had 15 points, 52 shots on goal and a plus-9 rating in 24 games with the Jets last season after arriving in a trade from the Sabres, as a change of scenery was seemingly all the 2010 Calder Trophy winner needed to re-discover the elite form he showed as a rookie. His salary is sure to skyrocket if he picks up this season where he left off at the end of last, but Myers is available at a bargain price now. While the Bruins have been a tough matchup in all phases the last few years, they open 2015-16 amid some uncertainty following the offseason departures of multiple key players.

Erik Karlsson, OTT at BUF ($25) - Karlsson had four points in four games against the Sabres a season ago, and the talented Swede should have no problem exploiting a porous defense and goaltender Robin Lehner. While Karlsson is a known commodity with a high price, he shouldn't have too much trouble justifying an investment in him. Ottawa is heavily favored and Karlsson sees the ice a lot, so chances are he will contribute with a strong plus-minus even if he doesn't end up being heavily involved in the scoring.

Players to Avoid: 

Michael Del Zotto, PHI at TB ($21) - This man can't hit the broadside of a barn with his shot, he's priced in the same range as elite defensemen, and he's unlikely to help in plus-minus while logging heavy minutes on an underdog Flyers team.

Mark Streit, PGI at TB ($19) - Just like with his teammate Michael Del Zotto, it doesn't make sense to pay a premium for a defenseman with such a low floor.

Get a FREE RotoWire 10-day trial (no credit card required) at RotoWire.com

MORE FROM YAHOO HOCKEY: