Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: DraftKings NHL Optimal Lineup for Oct. 10

The first Saturday night of the NHL season means that hockey fans have a huge 14-game card at their disposal.

In addition to high-profile games like Montreal vs. Boston, St. Louis vs. Minnesota and Anaheim vs. San Jose, fantasy players have an opportunity to test their own skill in DraftKings' fantasy game.

We have a $50,000 budget to spend on two centers, three wings, two defensemen, a goalie and a utility player (any non-goaltender). While the first instinct may be to go for as many superstars as we can, that's a philosophy that will get players beaten on most nights. Perhaps one or two superstars can fit on your team, but you must fill out your roster with consistently productive players.

With a nine-man lineup, you can't afford to have more than one or two players who have unproductive nights, or you will fall short against the sharpest minds in the game.

We think we have that winning lineup for Saturday's DraftKings action.

Position	Player, Team	Opponent	FPPG	Salary
C	Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay	Buffalo	3.9	$7,300
C	Derek Stepan, N.Y. Rangers	Columbus	3.2	$5,400
W	Max Pacioretty, Montreal	at Boston	4.2	$7,300
W	Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis	at Minnesota	3.6	$5,500
W	Jiri Hudler, Calgary	at Vancouver	3.3	$5,000
D	Duncan Keith, Chicago	N.Y. Islanders	3.3	$5,000
D	Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia	at Florida	2.8	$4,100
G	Antti Niemi, Dallas	at Colorado	4.7	$7,000
U	Alex Chiasson, Ottawa	at Toronto	1.6	$3,400

Centers: Steven Stamkos, Tampa Bay Lighting ($7,300) and Derek Stepan, New York Rangers ($5,400)

Steven Stamkos is involved in a bit of a strange situation as the 2015-16 season gets underway. He is in the final year of his contract, and it seems absurd that the Lightning would let him become a free agent at the end of the season.

The high-scoring center should have an opportunity to light it up as the Lighting play at Buffalo. While there is a lot of excitement around the Sabres and No. 2 draft pick Jack Eichel, their defense is not at a high level, and new goalie Robin Lehner got hurt on opening night and is not going to be in the lineup. Stamkos scored 50 goals last year and should get his first of the season here.

Derek Stepan is not a superstar by any stretch, but he helps make the New York Rangers a sharp contender. He scored 21 goals a year ago, and he will go to the front of the net and pay the price. He scored a goal in the season-opening win in Chicago, and he added an assist in the Rangers' 4-2 win over Columbus Friday night. Stepan should have a good opportunity as the Rangers play the second game of a home-and-home series against the Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

Wings: Max Pacioretty, Montreal Canadiens ($7,300), Jaden Schwartz, St. Louis Blues ($5,500) and Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames ($5,000)

Max Pacioretty scored the first goal of the NHL season Wednesday night at Toronto, and now he gets a chance to show off his speed, slick moves and wicked wrist shot against the Boston Bruins. Pacioretty has tormented the Habs' main rivals, scoring six goals in his last eight games against the Bruins. Pacioretty scored 42 goals and 32 assists last year, and he is a legitimate threat to reach the 50-goal mark.

Jaden Schwartz is on the verge of becoming a legitimate star after scoring 25 and 28 goals the past two seasons. Schwartz has remarkable balance on his skates, and he gets his shot away very quickly. He had two assists in the season-opening win against Edmonton, and he should have several opportunities to score as the Blues go to Minnesota. The Wild like to push the pace, so that means Schwartz and linemates Robby Fabbri and Jori Lehtera should get shots on the counter attack.

Jiri Hudler and his Calgary teammates should be in a nasty mood when they take the ice at Vancouver Saturday night. The Flames got taken apart at home by the Canucks, and they should make the most of an opportunity to even the score in the second game of the season. Hudler scored the only goal of the game for the Flames in their 5-1 loss, and he is coming off of a 31-goal, 45-assist season. He is well worth his $5,000 salary.

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Defensemen: Duncan Keith, Chicago Blackhawks ($5,000) and Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia Flyers ($4,100)

Duncan Keith is a remarkably well-conditioned athlete, and his incredible stamina was one of the main reasons that the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup last June and that he brought home the Conn Smythe Trophy. Keith's ability and conditioning often shows up late in the game because he is still streaking while everyone around him is tired. Keith had 13 goals and 53 assists last season, and there's no reason he can't exceed that goal total and reach a similar number of assists. The Blackhawks host the Islanders in the second game of a home-and-home series after winning Friday night in overtime.

Michael Del Zotto is not one of the league's top all-around defensemen, but he does have a solid shot, and he can be a key player for the Flyers when they are on the power play. Del Zotto scored 10 goals and 22 assists last year, and while he's not a threat to score every night, he has a chance to cause problems against the Florida Panthers with his hard, accurate shot.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Goalie: Antti Niemi, Dallas Stars ($7,000)

We don't want to spend big bucks to get a goalie like Carey Price of the Montreal Canadiens ($8,400) or Braden Holtby of the Washington Capitals ($8,300) because it will hurt the rest of our roster. Instead, we are banking on Antti Niemi backing up his shutout over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the season opener with another strong game against the Colorado Avalanche.

Niemi may not be seen as one of the elite goalies in the league, but he can get hot and carry his team from time to time. Niemi was 31-23-7 for the San Jose Sharks last year with a 2.59 goals against average and a .914 save percentage. Niemi wants to impress his new team, and getting the win over the Avs while allowing two goals or less would do that.

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