Fansided

DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy hockey lineup- January 18

By Barry Leonard Jr.

Jan 17, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 17, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) reacts after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Dec 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. San Jose defeated Toronto 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Jose Sharks defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic (44) against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Air Canada Centre. San Jose defeated Toronto 5-4 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

High Salary D

Brent Burns – San Jose Sharks ($8,300): Burns has gone two games without a point, something he hasn’t done since he failed to record points on December 12 and 15. That means that he is primed to break out in tonight’s good matchup with Ottawa. The Senators are ranked 29th against defensemen and Burns is the most talented one they will face. He is still averaging 5.5 fantasy points a game and is the best option at defenseman. His price tag will eat up a lot of cap space, but you won’t complain about someone who has 12 points in the last 10 games.

Erik Karlsson – Ottawa Senators ($7,400): Karlsson has been passed by Brent Burns this year as the best fantasy blueliner, but he’s been a solid producer in his own right. Karlsson is averaging 4.6 points a game and is a threat to put up an assist each night. He dished out a helper on Saturday and is now up to 37 assists for the year. He’s a top option at defenseman no matter how you look at it. Although tonight’s game versus San Jose could prove tough, Karlsson is a typically a safe bet to find the scoresheet.

High Value D

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – San Jose Sharks ($4,700): Vlasic is no longer a hidden gem, as he’s turned into a very popular fantasy pick over the last few weeks. He’s on a hot streak right now with nine points in his last nine games. He is coming off a monster game on Saturday in which he scored two goals and added an assist. Vlasic has a great matchup tonight and should be one of your top targets at defenseman tonight.

Olli Maatta – Pittsburgh Penguins ($3,600): Maatta hasn’t done much all season with just 13 total points, but has been red-hot lately with a three-game point streak. After recording an assist in back-to-back games, Maatta kept rolling with a goal against Carolina on Sunday. Because he hasn’t been a big producer this year it’s possible that his streak ends soon, but there’s not much risk in riding him while he’s hot. If you need to save money at defenseman, take a chance on Maatta.

Next: Goalies

Home/Fantasy Hockey