FanDuel NHL: November 1st

Oct 30, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Kevin Klein (8) battles for the puck against the boards during the first period against the Tampa Bay Lightning at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: November 1st 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 15, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Avalanche center Matt Duchene (9) walks onto the ice during player introductions before the game against Dallas Stars at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

The Colorado Avalanche go where Matt Duchene ($6,900) leads them. Duchene had some spectacular games already this season. Matt had 28+ FanDuel NHL points in three games this year, exceeded 30 twice, and even had a 41 point game in Tampa against the Lightening. However, Duchene can also be quiet, only totaling 1.6 points against Winnipeg on October 28th. But tonight, Duchene has a favorable matchup against the Nashville Predators, 30th in the NHL against centers. This is a great night to pay for Duchene, who has a very affordable $6,900 salary with 20+ point potential.

Artem Anisimov ($5,500) is a consistent 10-20 FanDuel NHL point scorer for the Chicago Blackhawks. Over the last five games, Anisimov has scored within 9.6-27.2 points. That’s a great model of consistency. Artem is currently playing on the Blackhawks 2nd regular and power play lines and has logged in around 17 minutes on the ice per game, along with 3 minutes of power play time per game, for the Hawks. Anisimov is a perfect affordable option to combined with Duchene for tonight and still provide enough salary for a few other big plays.

Next: Top Wings

Oct 26, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers forward Milan Lucic (27) celebrates his third period goal against the Washington Capitals goaltender Braden Holtby (70) at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

Ever since the Philadelphia Flyers traded James van Riemsdyk ($6,500) to the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Flyers are 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. For FanDuel NHL points, van Riemsdyk has been highly consistent, scoring around 16 FanDule NHL points per game, and getting nothing lower than 8 points over the last five games.

Tonight, the Maple Leafs play an Edmonton Oilers team on a roll. However, the Oilers are mostly winning games in a shootout, not necessarily great defense and solid goalie play. The Leafs should be able to slip a few past Cam Talbot, who leads the NHL in Goalie wins, but isn’t even in the top five for save percentage.

Milan Lucic ($5,900) is the quiet third member of a fantastic young Edmonton Oilers 1st line. Along with Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle, the Oilers 1st line is on a role, and a big reason Edmonton already has seven wins. Tonight, the Oilers should continue to do well against the Toronto Maple Leafs and Frederick Andersen. Lucic will remain heavily involved in the Oilers top scoring line, and on the ice for most of the power play time. He’s a great value at only $5,900 tonight.

Rounding out the winger options are Max Domi ($5,300) and Matthew Tkachuk ($3,700). Domi and the Arizona Coyotes don’t have an easy matchup against the San Jose Sharks. The Sharks should have Martin Jones in net. However, while Jones is 5-3, he’s giving up over two goals a game and is now 18th in the NHL in goalie save percentage, .916. Domi has been averaging about 15 FanDuel NHL points per game lately (over five games), and should land at least 10-15 points for tonight. A solid return on only $5,300 salary.

Matthew Tkachuk is a much cheaper option, and makes our lineup affordable tonight. Now consistently in the lineup for the Calgary Flames, Tkachuk is getting 8 to 12 points per night. Only spending $3,700 on a 10 point play is ideal, to keep money on the table for a big defensive play, and top goalie option.

Next: Top Defense

Oct 27, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) during the skate around before the start of the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Brent Burns ($8,000) is FanDuel NHL fantasy gold on defense. Burns is amazingly consistent each night, also landing you double-digit points. Brent is easily one of the best scoring defensivemen in the last two seasons. Whenever the Sharks play, I try to fit him into my lineup because he’s a sure bet for points. The key, is to afford him with players hitting similar point values each night he plays. Burns and the Sharks have a very favorable match-up against the Coyotes and Louis Domingue. But really, it doesn’t matter, because Burns will have a fantastic night regardless of who’s in net.

Opposite Burns, I like Dion Phaneuf ($4,200) tonight against the struggling Carolina Hurricanes. Phaneuf has been consistently scoring around 10 FanDuel NHL points per game on a cheap salary. In his last two games, he exceeded double-digits each game, and has a very favorable matchup tonight, on the Senators 2nd regular and power play lines. He’s a great affordable combo with Burns.

Next: Top Goalie

Oct 29, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild goalie Devan Dubnyk (40) in the second period against the Dallas Stars at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Like last week, I love Devan Dubnyk ($9,000) once again tonight. The Minnesota Wild’s top net minder is 5-1-1, after seven starts. Devan has a .952 save percentage, 5th in the NHL, and has three shutouts already, including a shutout of the Dallas Stars last game. 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 struggling Buffalo Sabres team. The Sabres will have Robin Lehner in goal. Lehner has fared well so far, a 2-2-1 record for the Sabres. But Robin is giving up over 1 goal per game more than Devan. Also, the Wild are hot and playing at home tonight. So, Dubnyk is a good bet for at least the 12 points, for a win.

Other Option: If you can afford Braden Holtby ($9,500), he’s also worth a consideration. Dubnyk provides more value, but Holtby is catching fire lately and the Caps are facing a struggling Jets team in Winnipeg tonight.

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!