Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: DraftKings NHL Optimal Lineup for November 14

The biggest names in the NHL are all well-known superstars. They include Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin, John Tavares, Patrick Kane, Jonathan Toews, Steven Stamkos and Tyler Seguin.

However, there's a new generation of stars on the horizon, most of whom have already established themselves as excellent players, and they need to take one more step to become superstars.

Vladimir Tarasenko is at the top of this list. The 23-year-old established himself as a legitimate sniper last year when he scored 37 goals for the St. Louis Blues by virtue of his explosive skating and his quick-as-a-hiccup snap shot.

Not only can Tarasenko get that shot away quickly, but he can put it under the bar when he has just a little bit of time and space. The Blues have already benefited from having him in their lineup this year, as he scored eight goals and six assists. He will be a big part of their attack when they host the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.

Tarasenko was the first player we looked for when we made our lineup in DraftKings' fantasy hockey game. He is one of the higher-priced wingers at $7,600, but he is capable of leading any team and bringing home the money.

We have $50,000 to spend on nine players, and Tarasenko heads our balanced lineup.

Position	Player, Team	Opponent	FPPG	Salary
C	Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit	Boston	3.4	$6,800
C	Tomas Plekanec, Montreal	Colorado	3.6	$6,200
W	Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis	Chicago	4.7	$7.600
W	Patrick Sharp, Dallas	Minnesota	3.6	$6,100
W	Joel Ward, San Jose	Buffalo	3.7	$4,500
D	Morgan Rielly, Toronto	Vancouver	3.5	$4,400
D	Jake Muzzin, Los Angeles	Edmonton	2.8	$4,500
G	Jonas Gustavsson, Boston	Detroit	4.7	$6.600
U	Brett Connolly, Boston	Detroit	2.4	$3,300

Centers: Henrik Zetterberg, Detroit Red Wings ($6,800) and Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens ($6,200)

Henrik Zetterberg may be the most dependable player in the Detroit Red Wings lineup on an every-night basis. He is incredibly instinctive when he has the puck at his stick in the offensive zone, and he regularly waits an extra split second before firing a tape-to-tape pass or shooting because he knows he can draw opposing goaltenders and defensemen off balance with the maneuver.

Zetterberg has scored four goals and 11 assists this season, and he has a chance to do some damage against the Boston Bruins on Saturday night. 

Mary Schwalm/Associated Press

The Montreal Canadiens have been the best team in the league in the early going, and Tomas Plekanec has played a major role. He has gotten off to a sharp start, and he excels at breaking into the open in the offensive zone, where he can create a scoring opportunity with his shooting, stick-handling and passing.

Plekanec has seven goals and nine assists in 17 games, and six of his points have come on the power play. The Canadiens should be able to beat the Colorado Avalanche at the Bell Center, and Plekanec will get on the scoreboard.

Wings: Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues ($7,600), Patrick Sharp, Dallas Stars ($6,100) and Joel Ward, San Jose Sharks ($4,500)

In addition to having a wicked shot, Tarasenko will be motivated to take on the Blues' rivals from Chicago. Tarasenko scored the game-winning goal in overtime when the two teams met at the United Center on November 4.

Tony Gutierrez/Associated Press

Patrick Sharp has started a new chapter in his career this season, as he moved onto the Dallas Stars after winning three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks. It's never easy to leave a championship team, but Sharp has already scored seven goals and seven assists for his new team and provides leadership and a major presence on the power play. Sharp should have an excellent opportunity to get on the board in an up and down the ice-type game against the Minnesota Wild.

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Joel Ward may be the biggest bargain on the board in fantasy hockey. After years of getting the job done as a role player for the Washington Capitals, Ward has gotten off to an excellent start with the San Jose Sharks.

Ward has a nose for the net, and he is not afraid to take punishment if it is going to set up a scoring opportunity. He has already scored eight goals and six assists this term, and he has a remarkable .296 shooting percentage.That figure is up to .350 over the last 10 games. Ward should have an excellent chance to get on the board at Buffalo on Saturday night.

Defensemen: Morgan Rielly, Toronto Maple Leafs ($4,400) and Jake Muzzin, Los Angeles Kings ($4,500)

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Morgan Rielly still has a ways to go before he will be considered one of the league's better defensemen, but he is gaining confidence, and Toronto head coach Mike Babcock seems to believe in him. Rielly is averaging 22.2 minutes of ice time per game and has scored three goals and eight assists this year.

He has been sharp recently, with nine points in his last 10 games. The Leafs host Vancouver Saturday night, and Rielly has an excellent chance to get on the board.

Jake Muzzin is going to leave everything he has on the ice on an every-night basis. While he is not the most gifted offensive defenseman, he has a goal and six assists for the Los Angeles Kings this year. He will also bounce bodies whenever he can—he has been credited with 35 hits this season. Look for Muzzin to assert himself against the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

Goalie: Jonas Gustavsson, Boston Bruins ($6,600)

Adam Hunger/Associated Press

Any time you go with a backup goaltender in fantasy hockey, you are taking a gamble. But it is one that appears to be worthwhile in this case, because Jonas Gustavsson has played very well in his short tenure with the Bruins. No. 1 goalie Tuukka Rask is off to an uneven start, and he played in Boston's loss against Colorado on Thursday night.

It seems likely head coach Claude Julien will go with the Monster here. Gustavsson has a 3-1-0 record along with a 2.25 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage.

The Bruins are taking on the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit lost at home on Friday night, so Gustavsson should have a good chance to earn a victory.

---

Enter the DraftKings $45,000 Sniper contest for Saturday's action. Use promo code BLEACHER REPORT when you sign up.