Saturday Night DFS: Capitals set for big performance against Devils
Another week in the books, another Saturday night full of hockey to look forward to.
With 10 games on the main NHL DFS slate on Yahoo, here are some recommendations for your lineup.
The Value Guys
These are the players that are not the most or least expensive on the board, but solid options for your lineup.
C Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. NJD ($24)
The Washington Capitals are set up very well at home this week with a date against the New Jersey Devils. If you remember the last time these two teams met on Dec. 20, Backstrom went off, notching two goals and four points in a 6-3 win on the road. The veteran center is currently riding a seven-game point streak and has historically done well when facing New Jersey. In 47 career games against the franchise, he’s recorded 45 points, including 15 goals, which is tied for the third-highest goal total he has accumulated against any squad during his career.
W Max Pacioretty, VGK vs CLS ($27)
Over the past two weeks no team in the NHL has allowed more shot attempts than the Columbus Blue Jackets (418, according to NaturalStatTrick). Fittingly, no player in the National Hockey League has more shots over that same time frame than Pacioretty, who leads the way with 37 shots. Elvis Merzlikins will likely be the one between the pipes for the Columbus Blue Jackets and although the intriguing young puck-stopper has played very well, it’s not a matchup that I would fade.
D Jeff Petry, MTL @ OTT ($17)
Anybody who’s had even the slightest pulse on what’s happening in the NHL over the past two weeks can tell you that things are not going well for the Montreal Canadiens. However, I really like Petry’s prospects this Saturday in a road matchup against the Ottawa Senators. Over the past two weeks, he is tied for third among blueliners in shots on goal with 27. Battling the Sens, who will be playing their second game in as many nights, is as good of a spot as any for Petry and the team to breakout. Additionally, the 32-year-old is currently getting run on the team’s top powerplay unit.
G Braden Holtby, WAS vs. NJD ($26)
The value here with Holtby against one of the NHL’s worst teams is just too good to pass up. The pending UFA hasn’t been sharp recently, dropping four of his last five starts, but for $26 at goalie you’re not going to find anyone that’s faultless. It may not be pretty, but Holtby should be able to get the job done.
Offence to Stack
When a team is having a good night offensively, you want to have as many pieces as possible. Stacking an offence can be a rewarding strategy.
Washington Capitals
C Nicklas Backstrom ($24) + W Alex Ovechkin ($35) + G Braden Holtby ($26)
As I stated above in my value players list, I think Backstrom and Holtby both come at very reasonable price tags considering the opportunity to erupt on Saturday.
I like adding Ovechkin to the stack because I feel like the captain is due for a big game. Over his past six contests the Russian superstar has only notched two goals.
If you wanted to sub out Ovi for John Carlson ($31) and get a premier defensive player, it wouldn’t be the worst move, but I will be rolling with these three on Saturday.
Expensive, but Worth it
Sometimes you can’t help but spend a decent amount of your budget to get elite fantasy production.
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs NJD ($35)
The Capitals have scored three goals or more in six of their past seven contests, yet Ovi has recorded a goal in just two of those matches. A meeting with the Devils, who have lost three-straight games, could be exactly what the league’s premier goal scorer needs to get back on track.
New Jersey has allowed the fifth-most shot attempts in the NHL over the past two weeks, while also taking the seventh-most penalties of any team during that stretch.
Fitting him in your lineup won’t be easy on the budget, but it’s something I recommend you try to do.
Chasing the Cheap Win
It may be silly, but when selecting a goalie, the first question running through your mind should be: What is his team’s chance to win?
Carey Price, MTL @ OTT ($28)
By picking the starting goaltender for a team that has lost eight-straight contests, I’m really chasing the cheap win this week, but here goes nothing.
With a .901 save percentage and a 3.01 goals-against average this season, Price has been anything but impressive. A start against an Ottawa team that will be playing its second game of a back-to-back, however, is about as ideal of a spot as you can get.
Cash Savers
Spent some major cash on some potential game-changers? These inexpensive players can help fill out the rest of your lineup.
C Derek Ryan ($15)
C Joe Thornton ($13)
W Nikita Gusev ($15)
W Jesper Fast ($15)
W Martin Necas ($13)
W Blake Comeau ($12)
D Sean Walker ($12)
D Rasmus Andersson ($11)
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