FanDuel NHL: October 18th

Oct 16, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Markus Granlund (60) shoots the puck against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Eddie Lack (31) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Vancouver Canucks won 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: October 18th is a daily fantasy sports column focusing on the best FanDuel NHL player and value options for your daily lineups. The salary options are based on the daily salaries set by FanDuel. We’ll review the best options in each position, and help you afford an optimal lineup for your big FanDuel NHL paydays.

Before we review the top options for each FanDuel NHL lineup position, let’s review the FanDuel NHL scoring rules:

Forwards/Defense

Goals = 12pts
Assistes = 8pts
Shots on Goal = 1.6pts
Short Handed points = 2pts
Power Play Points = 0.5pts
Blocked Shots = 1.6pts

Goalies

Win = 12pts
Goals Against = -4pts
Saves = 0.8pts
Shutouts = 8pts

Given the FanDuel NHL scoring options, we know the top options for offense and defense are players who tend to score a goal or record an assist in most games. Also, if one of those players is often playing on the penalty kill, there’s an added benefit if they could score the unique short-handed goal. The Ottawa Senators lead the NHL in the 2015-2016 season with 17 short-handed goals.

As for Goalies, you’ll want to pick a goalie on a team who has the highest winning percentage of the day. Losing the 12 point win can easily be the difference between losing money and a big pay-day. A FanDuel comparison would be picking a MLB pitcher who will most likely win.

Now that we’ve established the rules and goals for playing FanDuel NHL, let’s take a look at tonight’s best options:

Next: Top Centers

Oct 14, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) during the face off against Calgary Flames during the second period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

Any time Connor McDavid ($8,600) is on the ice this season, I’m going to try to plug him into my lineup. McDavid is very expensive, but he’s an explosive offensive option on a team who relies heavily on the 19 year-old. McDavid had only 1.6 points in the Oilers 3rd game of the season, against Buffalo. But Connor had 41.6 points and 32.2 points in his first two games. Like all hockey players, McDavid will have a quiet night here and there, but for the most part he’s a lock for double-digit points, as he’s involved in almost every offensive play for the Oilers. Connor should bounce back tonight at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

To make room for McDavid, I’m reaching for a cheap option, who may not be cheap very long. Travis Konecny ($3,900) had a fantastic pre-season for the Philadelphia Flyers and essentially forced them to keep him on the team for the 2016-2017 season. So far, the Flyers gamble to keep the 19 year-old on the roster has paid off. Against the Kings, Travis had two assists and three shots on goal totaling 20.8 FanDuel NHL points. Konecny followed that up with an assist and three shots in Arizona, totaling 12.8 points. The Flyers have one more game on the road tonight, against a Chicago Blackhawks team who’s struggling to regain its dominance at the start of this season. I love this 19 year-old combo tonight at center for your lineups!

Next: Top Wings

Oct 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Joe Colborne (8) celebrates after scoring a goal in the first period against Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

My strategy with the wing options is to find the best affordable wings, which allow me to play Connor McDavid at Center, and the top options at defense, which we’ll visit on the next page. So with that in mind, let’s start with Joe Colborne ($5,000). After a dynamic hat trick against the Dallas Stars on Saturday, including two power play goals and a total of 45 FanDuel NHL points, Colborne cooled off last night against the Penguins. Colorado actually beat Pittsburgh, but Joe was quiet, with only two shots on goal and 3.2 points.

Still, Colborne is a talented winger and plays on the Avalanche’s 2nd line with Carl Soderberg and Jerome Iginla. Colborne doesn’t typically play in the power play lines, which does limit his options, and is the reason he’s a cheap $5,000 salary. But, Colborne will still have plenty of scoring chances tonight against the Caps, in DC.

P.A. Parenteau ($5,200) has been efficient on the ice so far this season. With just under eleven minutes per game, Parenteau is averaging over 15 FanDuel NHL points per game, scoring a goal against the Florida Panthers to start the season and logging an assist against the Lightening. Parenteau also had seven total shots after two games. This is a solid option for only $5,200. If you’re not a fan of Parenteau, consider Bobby Ryan ($5,200).

Andrew Shaw ($4,800) is a bruiser playing on Montreal’s 2nd line. Shaw has seen 13 minutes per game, and scored once with four shots on goal after two games. Andrew isn’t a dynamic option, he’s put up 18.4 points one game, and a goose-egg in the other. But he’s a decent option for FanDuel NHL points, and a cheap $4,800 allowing up to make some bigger moves elsewhere. If you don’t like Shaw, consider Charlie Coyle ($4,800).

Rounding out our wingers is Jonathan Marchessault ($4,600). Marchessault is taking advantage of Jonathan Huberdeau‘s absence from the Florida Panthers. After two games, Marchessault has two goals, two assists, eight shots, and is averaging 26.4 FanDuel NHL points per game. Continue to play Marchessault in your lineup until he finally cools off, especially at a $4,600 bargain.

Next: Top Defense

Oct 12, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) celebrates scoring a goal against the Los Angeles Kings in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Brent Burns ($7,900) and Erik Karlsson ($7,200) are the top two, and most expensive, options for defenseman. Burns exploded last season scoring 75 points and become a fantasy darling for anyone with Burns in their lineups last year. Burns appears to continue his offensive tear in the 2016-2017 season as well. After three games, Brent has three goals, three assists, 17 shots, and six blocks. Burns is averaging an amazing 32.43 FanDuel NHL points per game. We can assume Burns will cool off a game or two in the future, but after last season it seems like a risky assumption. Plug burns in your lineup tonight against an Islanders team struggling out of the gate, giving up three goals per game already.

Karlsson isn’t as offensively explosive as Burns, but he’s arguably one of the best players in the NHL. Erik spends a good deal of time on the ice for the Senators, averaging over 29 minutes per game so far this season. Karlsson is also one of Ottawa’s top options during the man-advantage. Erik started the season with a dynamic 45.6 FanDuel NHL points against the Maple Leafs, but then cooled off against Montreal and Detriot, each game around 13 points. Still, with a 24 point yearly average on a $7,200 salary, you’re getting a great return on your investment. With a Burns/Karlsson combination, you’ve cornered the market on defense!

Next: Top Goalie

Oct 6, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Calgary Flames goaltender Chad Johnson (31) stops a shot on net by the Vancouver Canucks during the first period during a preseason hockey game at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

The Calgary Flames top net-minder, Brian Elliott, was roughed up through two straight games by the Edmonton Oilers. So the Flames coach, Glen Gulutzan, called in veteran journeyman Chad Johnson ($7,800) to face the Vancouver Canucks. Johnson didn’t get the win, but the Flames lost 0-1 in overtime. Chad had 30 saves on 31 shots. It was clearly a better goaltending performance than Calgary had seen in the first two games. Johnson ended the game with a solid 20 FanDuel NHL points. Tonight, the Flames taken on a beatable Buffalo Sabers team at home. However, the Sabers piled on six goals last game in Edmonton against the Oilers. And impressive stat against a familiar foe to the Flames.

The NHL is most active on Tuesday and Thursday nights, so there are plenty of options at goalie for us today. I prefer to go with the hot-hand at goalie, and against a team Johnson has a good shot at beating. Also, with a reasonable $7,800 salary, we can load up on top players in other positions, like the Burns/Karlsson combination we already discussed at defense.

Next: NHL 2016 Fantasy Hockey Draft Rankings

Always check NHL lineups throughout the day when playing FanDuel NHL. As a fan, you likely know the league isn’t overly forthcoming with injury news, and players are often scratched at the last minute with little information. Also, goaltenders are never a sure thing. Good Luck today Fanduelers!