Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Strategy for March 14
The action on the ice is beginning to heat up with the regular season winding down. Playoffs are approaching, so the intensity has ratcheted up in the NHL. Though several teams might be out of the mix, playing spoiler on Saturday is all they can look forward to.
With daily owners looking to set the best lineup, Saturday's slate offers a lot of options to choose from. Before setting your roster, take a look at these players to lock at different times throughout the day.
Early Games
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Draft Lottery Winners and Losers
| C | Sidney Crosby ($9,000) | Henrik Zetterberg ($7,800) | Patrice Bergeron ($5,900) |
| W | Patric Hornqvist ($7,400) | Marian Hossa ($5,900) | Milan Lucic ($4,400) |
| D | Brent Burns ($6,000) | Kris Letang ($5,600) | Duncan Keith ($5,000) |
| G | Antti Niemi ($8,800) | Marc-Andre Fleury ($8,600) | Jimmy Howard ($7,700) |
C Patrice Bergeron, Boston Bruins ($5,900)
Over his last six games, Patrice Bergeron has scored six points. Granted, while he has just two goals over that span, his helpers and shots on goal keep him as a solid option for fantasy owners.
He got back on the score sheet with a goal on Thursday night and potted another shootout point with six shots on goal. With his line playing well and the surge that he's been on since the All-Star break, paying less than $6,000 for Bergeron should not even be questioned.
G Antti Niemi, San Jose Sharks ($8,800)
At 27-18-7 this season, Antti Niemi has put together a strong season to this point. But the performance he put on against the Nashville Predators was one of his best of the season. His shutout victory with 35 saves against one of the top teams in the sport was more than just a statement.
His previous game was just as memorable, stopping 39 of 40 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins. That was good enough to earn him first-star honors and the win, via Pittsburgh's official Twitter account:
He comes at a high price, and understandably so. But for owners looking to secure a win before heading out on Saturday night, Niemi is the goalie to target.
Late Games
| C | Anze Kopitar ($6,100) | Sean Monahan ($5,700) | Mikael Backlund ($4,900) |
| W | Gabriel Landeskog ($7,100) | Jiri Hudler ($6,400) | Johnny Gaudreau ($5,300) |
| D | Kris Russell ($8,000) | Dennis Wideman ($6,900) | Drew Doughty ($5,300) |
| G | Cory Schneider ($8,300) | Pekka Rinne ($8,700) | Mike Smith ($7,100) |
W Johnny Gaudreau, Calgary Flames ($5,300)
There is no player in hockey, much less a rookie, who will provide equal value to Johnny Gaudreau. At just $5,300, DraftKings owners will get a scorching-hot left wing coming off a three-point night on Friday.
His sensational performance against the Toronto Maple Leafs also puts him tied at the top of the rookie scoring list. Roger Millions of Sportsnet Calgary points out how hot Gaudreau and his line have been:
Over the last five games, Gabriel Landeskog has three goals and four assists. In that same span, Gaudreau has four goals and four assists. That makes paying $1,800 less for Gaudreau the obvious choice.
D Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings ($5,300)
Another great value player for the late slate, Drew Doughty has been in a scoring lull recently. Though he hasn't tickled the twine in the last four games, he's still registering a wealth of blocked shots and shots on goal to earn fantasy points.
Facing a Nashville Predators team that ranks 22nd against defensemen, Doughty or Jake Muzzin will likely be the beneficiaries. In his two games this year against Nashville, Doughty has averaged five fantasy points. Nab Doughty at a low price and watch him put up equal production to top defenders.
G Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils ($8,300)
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Saving up for a great goalie is a necessity for NHL daily owners. Luckily, Cory Schneider comes at a reasonable price for a solid player in the crease. Not to mention, he's having a great season and playing the worst offensive team in the league.
If that doesn't make you salivate, I don't know what will.
Over their last 10 games, the Arizona Coyotes have gone 1-9 and averaged 1.3 points per contest. Schneider doesn't have an impressive team in front of him, but he might have what it takes to clinch his fifth shutout of the season on Saturday night.
Fantasy info courtesy of DraftKings.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
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