Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: DraftKings NHL Optimal Lineup for October 7
A new season of daily fantasy hockey is upon us, as the 2015-16 NHL regular season kicks off Wednesday night with a quartet of mouthwatering showdowns.
Getting in on the DFS action early in the season is pivotal toward building the expertise necessary for winnings. Although the $200,000 prize pool on DraftKings doesn't kick off until the much wider seven-game slate for Thursday, there remains big-money options in guaranteed prize pools, along with plenty of other contests.
Let's embark on a season-opening lineup assembly for Wednesday night.
TOP NEWS
.png?w=256 "NHL Mock Draft")
Who Will Panthers Take at No. 9 ? 🤔
.jpg?w=256 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
Could Isles Trade for Kucherov? 🤯
.png?w=256)
Draft Lottery Winners and Losers
DraftKings Optimal NHL Lineup: October 7
| C | Anze Kopitar (Kings) | SJ | 2.9 | $5,600 |
| C | Bo Horvat (Canucks) | CGY | 2.0 | $3,600 |
| W | Max Pacioretty (Canadiens) | TOR | 4.2 | $7,100 |
| W | Radim Vrbata (Canucks) | CGY | 3.8 | $5,900 |
| W | Rick Nash (Rangers) | CHI | 4.3 | $7,000 |
| D | Kris Russell (Flames) | VAN | 3.5 | $4,200 |
| D | Alec Martinez (Kings) | SJ | 2.7 | $3,400 |
| G | Henrik Lundqvist (Rangers) | CHI | 5.3 | $8,300 |
Forwards
LW Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens ($7,100)
The Montreal Canadiens' newest captain is on the heels of an incredible 2014-15 season and an even better postseason, notching two goals and two assists in his final three playoff games of last year.
Along with a hot streak he's carrying from last year, Pacioretty also faces a favorable matchup. His Canadiens face the Toronto Maple Leafs, which conceded the fourth-most DK points to opposing left-wingers last season.
Pacioretty ranks only behind Rick Nash and Joe Pavelski for scoring averages last season among forwards in play Wednesday, and you'll be at a disadvantage without him on opening night.
C Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings ($5,600)
A slow finish to last season shouldn't worry Kings fans in the least about their go-to offensive cog. Anze Kopitar is coming off his first season with more than 50 games that didn't yield 20 goals, but he's in for a big rebound Wednesday.
That's because his Kings face the San Jose Sharks, who Kopitar shredded last season with two multi-point games. The Sharks ranked 21st against centers in 2014-15.
RW Radim Vrbata, Vancouver Canucks ($5,900)
With 33 goals and 34 assists in 2014-15, Radim Vrbata settled in well in his opening season with the Vancouver Canucks. With a salary of $5,900 that is significantly less than his price tag late last season, he's a steal for Wednesday.
Not only did the Flames struggle to contain wingers last season, but Vrbata is setting up on a line with preseason standout Bo Horvat ($3,600) to start the season. After Horvat's four-goal preseason and a strong finish to last year, the duo should combine for scores Wednesday.
Defensemen
D Kris Russell, Calgary Flames ($4,200)
You don't want to look too far into non-scoring point totals in DFS hockey, but defensemen is one position where it breeds extra attention. Kris Russell led the NHL in blocked shots (337) by a wide margin last year, each of which produce a half-point on DraftKings.
Finishing his postseason with assists in his final three games should also have Russell intent on surfacing on the score sheet as well.
D Alec Martinez, Los Angeles Kings ($3,400)
Alec Martinez isn't a top-flight defenseman for the Kings, but with nearly 20 minutes of ice time last season and 22 points, he's around to impact the scoring. His Los Angeles defense should do well to slow down San Jose's attack, which could result in more bonuses.
Goaltender
G Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers ($8,300)
Yes, Henrik Lundqvist was out of the lineup for both of the Rangers games against the Blackhawks last season. But it's no coincidence that Chicago was held to half a goal per game in that span, with the Rangers defense wreaking havoc.
The Stanley Cup champions are in the midst of an overhaul that saw key pieces like Brandon Saad, Patrick Sharp and Johnny Oduya change sweaters. Early struggles should be on the cards for the Blackhawks as Lundqvist has a big debut.
Follow Steven Cook on Twitter for more DFS analysis.
.png?w=480 "NHL Mock Draft")
.jpg?w=480 "Kucherov Landing Spots")
.png?w=480)
.png?w=600 "B/R NHL Staff Second-Round Predictions 🏒")
