FanDuel NHL: October 29th

Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators defenseman Dion Phaneuf (2) and Calgary Flames defenseman Deryk Engelland (29), great FanDuel NHL options, exchanges words during the third period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Calgary Flames won 5-2. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: October 29th 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
Assists = 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 led 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 22, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar (11) looks on during the first period against Vancouver Canucks at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

Anze Kopitar ($7,200) is one of the best centers in the NHL. Kopitar isn’t going to give you giant 30 to 40 point games often, but he consistently scores points, getting a goal or assist in every game this year, but one. After seven games, Kopitar has two goals and four assists. He’s putting the put on net about three times a game and is even getting a block per game. Jake Allen and the St. Louis Blues will be a tough matcup, but anze is a sure bet for 10+ points tonight on a decent $7,200 salary.

I’ll admit, ever since Auston Matthews ($6,400) scored four goals in his first NHL career game, I’ve looked to put him in my lineup each time he plays. That may not be a solid strategy, but he hasn’t been disappointing. Matthews now has a total of six goals and four assists in his fist seven games as a pro. That is an amazing start. He’s had five double-digit FanDuel NHL point games, and four of his seven games exceeded 20+ points. Even with Carey Price in-goal for the Canadiens, against the Maple Leafs, I am playing Matthews on a cheap $6,400 salary and expect a 10-20 point result.

Next: Top Wings

Oct 27, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) drives to the net with the puck against Florida Panthers defenseman Alex Petrovic (6) at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs beat the Panthers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

Ever since the Philadelphia Flyers traded James van Riemsdyk ($6,600) to the Toronto Maple Leafs, they’re likely regretting it. van Riemsdyk has been a bright spot on an offense struggling over the last couple of years. But to start the 2016-2017 season, the Maple Leafs finally have the young talented pieces to surge above van Riemsdyk and allow him to lead a 2nd line, behind one of the best young 1st lines in the NHL.

The Leafs have a tough challenge tonight, Carey Price in net for the Montreal Canadiens. But James has 18+ points in each of his last three games. Fortunately, the Leafs are 6th in the Eastern Conference in goals, 24, averaging three per game. While I don’t expect Toronto to get the win tonight, I do expect the Leafs to continue to score, even with Price tending the net.

Sticking with the Maple Leafs, but on the first line is William Nylander ($5,300). Since we’ve already decided to go with Auston Matthews, we usually like to stack these two together. Nylander cooled off a bit against the Panthers last game, only 1.6 FanDuel NHL points. But he had 30+ points against the Lightening and Blackhawks in each of his two games before the Panthers.

Rounding out our wingers are Tanner Pearson ($5,300) and Jonathan Marchessault ($5,300). First, Marchessault has been absolutely on fire to start this season and really should be more expensive against a struggling Buffalo Sabres team tonight. After seven games, Jonathan has six in double-digit FanDuel NHL points. Three of those games are 28+ points. Plug Marchessault in your lineup regardless of how you feel about these other options.

Pearson has four games and two assists in only five games. Even though he didn’t have a goal last game, he has six shots. So Pearson is actively firing on net to start this season and his value is also rapidly rising. The Kings have a struggle against Jake Allen and the Blues tonight, but St. Louis is giving up as many goals as it gets. That should be good for Pearson, who’s dumping the puck on net often now.

Next: Top Defense

Oct 27, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6) enters the ice before the game against Tampa Bay Lightning at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

The Montreal Canadiens are off to a hot start, again, and Shea Weber ($6,100) is a big reason for their great play. Not only is Weber a great defensiveman, but he’s also very active on the offensive side of the ice. After eight games, Weber has three goals and six assists. Shea also has 17 shots on goal and two power play goals (additional 0.5 points each). Weber has had double-digit FanDuel NHL points in five of eight games, and exceed 30 points in two of those games. Even against Andersen and the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight, Shea should continue to roll and is a great value at $6,100.

Michael Matheson ($3,900) is quietly having a solid season. In the Panther’s first seven games, Matheson has racked up three 18+ FanDuel NHL point games already. That’s fantastic for a very cheap $3,900 salary. Tonight, Michael will be in the 2nd line against the Buffalo Sabres and Anders Nilsson. Buffalo is off to a terrible start, only four points and a -9 goal differential. Nilsson has only started two games, but he’s 0-1-1 in those games, giving up 6 goals. This game has a 1pm EST start, so get on Matheson fast today, and he can only be played in the 1pm/All Day slots.

Next: Top Goalie

Oct 22, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) makes a save during the second period of their game against New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Devan Dubnyk ($8,900) is off to a solid start this season. The Minnesota Wild’s top net minder is 4-2, after seven games. Devan has a .944 save percentage, 4th in the NHL, and has two shutouts already. I drafted Dubnyk on my Fantasy Hockey League team and he’s helped me quickly build solid stats in the Goaltending categories.

Tonight, Devan is facing a tough Dallas Stars team. The Stars were a common pick to win the Stanley Cup this year. Last year, many thought Dallas would make a push for the cup, and they looked great to start the season, but faltered toward the end of the year. Fortunately for the Wild, and Dubnyk, the Stars seem to still be struggling at the start of the 2016-2017 season. Dallas has a -4 goal differential, compared to the Wild’s +9, and is only 3-3-1, four points behind the Wild who are sitting in first place. So, Dubnyk is a good bet for at least the 12 points, for a win. Tonight is a good night to continue to roll with Devan Dubnyk.

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!