Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Saturday picks
By Sasha Yodashkin
There’s no shortage of options Saturday, with all 10 of the day’s NHL games taking place during the evening slate. Trade deadline impacts are still being priced in, creating opportunities to find undervalued players if you know where to look. One such player is new Senators winger Alex Burrows, but he’s far from the only strong value play available.
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GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS vs. NJD ($29): Rask’s combination of recent success, affordability and opponent makes him a terrific option Saturday. It’s surprising that the Finnish veteran costs just $29 considering he ranks fifth in wins (30) and seventh in GAA (2.26). Improving on those gaudy totals shouldn’t be difficult against the league’s second-worst offensive team, especially with Rask coming in hot after holding his past six opponents to 11 goals combined.
Goalie to Avoid
Ryan Miller, VAN at LA ($32): Miller has had a rough stretch over his past seven starts, with just one win and 22 goals allowed. Getting back on track will be difficult in Los Angeles given the veteran’s 3-11-2 record and 3.08 GAA on the road.
CENTER
Matt Duchene, COL at WPG ($16): Duchene can finally get back to focusing on hockey now that the trade deadline has passed. He’s generating chances at a solid rate with 22 shots in the past 10 games, and has a great chance to add to his team-leading 16 goals against a Jets team that has surrendered 3.19 per contest. Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck has been struggling lately, and backup Michael Hutchinson‘s 3.21 GAA indicates that this will be a plus matchup for Duchene regardless of who gets the nod on the second night of Winnipeg’s back-to-back set.
Center to Avoid
Derek Stepan, NYR at MON ($19): Stepan has gone 19 games without a goal, and he will have trouble ending that dry spell against Canadiens goalie Carey Price. Price has regained his early-season dominance in holding his past five opponents to seven combined goals, so Rangers forwards are going to have a hard time scoring in general.
WINGS
Justin Williams, WAS vs. PHI ($15): The addition of blueliner Kevin Shattenkirk at the trade deadline makes every Capitals forward more dangerous offensively, including the affordable Williams, who ranks fourth on the team with 19 goals. However, he is cheaper than 10 other Capitals skaters, a bang for the buck that is too good to pass up against a Flyers team that has surrendered 2.92 goals per game.
Alexandre Burrows, OTT vs. CLS ($12): Burrows scored two goals in his Senators debut Thursday, and he is primed to maintain his increased output on a skilled line alongside Derick Brassard and Mike Hoffman. This tough matchup makes Burrows a contrarian pick, but that just further raises the potential payoff on a minimum-priced investment. The four-time 25-goal scorer has the talent to keep producing now that he’s playing for a playoff contender, and he likely won’t be available for this cheap for this long.
Wings to Avoid
Cam Atkinson, CLS at OTT ($28): Atkinson costs $28 despite posting just two goals and two assists in his past eight games. That overpay is especially unlikely to pay off Saturday considering Senators netminder Craig Anderson ranks second in the league with a .930 save percentage.
Max Pacioretty, MON at NYR ($26): It’s going to be tough for Montreal players to do well against goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who has held 11 of his past 17 opponents to two or fewer goals. Pacioretty is tied with Shea Weber as the most expensive skater on the team, making both of them especially questionable plays.
DEFENSEMEN
Keith Yandle, ARI vs. DAL ($15): Yandle’s power-play proficiency gives him a tremendous ceiling against a Stars team that ranks last on the penalty kill at 73.7 percent. Thirteen of his 32 points this season have come with the extra man, and the offensive-minded blueliner is also equipped to do damage at even strength considering Dallas has allowed 3.23 goals per game overall. At just $15, Yandle is a low-risk, high-reward play in this matchup.
Tyson Barrie, COL at WPG ($17): Barrie’s offensive-minded game translates perfectly to this battle with the Jets. He has posted four points and 21 shots in the past seven games, and should continue chipping in offensively against the 27th-ranked Jets defense. Using Barrie gives your lineup a high ceiling will maintaining flexibility at other positions.
Defensemen to Avoid
John Klingberg, DAL at FLA ($17): While Klingberg’s four-game point streak makes him seem like an appealing option, this tough matchup kills most of his value. Florida’s second-ranked penalty kill has denied 85.9 percent of opposing power-play opportunities, and will make it tough for the Swede to add to his 14 power-play points and 38 points overall.
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Kevin Shattenkirk, CLS vs. PHI ($19): Shattenkirk carried his offensive struggles over to his new team, and he comes into this one on a five-game point drought and without a goal in 16 straight. This isn’t the dream matchup it seems like on the surface, as Philadelphia’s penalty kill actually ranks a respectable 13th at 81.6 percent. Twenty of Shattenkirk’s 42 points have come with the extra man, so he can’t afford to have that aspect of his game limited if he wants to live up to his $19 price.
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