FanDuel NHL: November 3rd

Nov 2, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere (53) carries the puck past Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (71) during the second period at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: November 3rd 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 29, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) skates with the puck against the Philadelphia Flyers during the third period at Wells Fargo Center. The Penguins won 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

Sidney Crosby ($8,600) has been hot since getting back on the ice in late October. Crosby is averaging 23.5 FanDuel NHL points per game, justifying his expensive $8,600 salary. If you follow hockey, or even if you don’t, you probably know all about Sidney Crosby so I won’t go into more detail about his background. Just know he’s playing well on the Penguins top lines. Also, with Jonathan Quick injured, the Los Angeles Kins have Peter Budaj in net tonight. Budaj has been a serviceable goalie, but he will likely struggling against a Penguins fire-power, quickly heating up.

Artem Anisimov ($5,700) is tied with Claude Giroux for most total points (13) in the NHL. Anisimov has seven goals and six assists so far this season. However, his shooting percentage is an astounding 35%. So he’s not taking as many shots as some of the other top point leaders in the NHL, and he likely will fall through the rankings at some point. However, in the meantime, we’re going to keep plugging him into our FanDuel NHL lineups while he’s on fire. The Blackhawks are at home against a vulnerable Avalanche team tonight. This is a good night for Artem to continue to roll!

Next: Top Wings

Oct 17, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Referee Tom Kowal (32) gets caught in the middle of New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) celebrating scoring a goal with teammates Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) and Rangers center Mika Zibanejad (93) against the San Jose Sharks during the second period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

We already talked about Sidney Crosby. Patric Hornqvist ($7,000) and Scott Wilson ($3,600) play on the same 1st regular with Crosby. Crosby and Hornqvist also play on the same power play line and Wilson play the 2nd PP line. I think this line could be in for a good night, and I’m going to ‘stack’ them in my lineup. Hornqvist has been consistently dropping 20 FanDuel NHL points per game, three times over the last three games. Patric is well worth his $7,000 salary for another shot at 20 points tonight. Scott Wilson is much cheaper, and scores fewer points. But if Crosby or Hornqvist are scoring often tonight, that increases Wilson’s chances of landing us double-digit points as well on a rock-bottom salary.

Chris Kreider ($6,600) and the New York Rangers have been on fire! Kreider actually started the season well, but had to sit out several games due to neck spasms. But he came back on Monday, and dropped 26.1 points into several FanDuel NHL lineups. The Rangers, and Kreider, should continue to score often tonight, and with a reasonable $6,600 salary, Chris is a great fit for our lineup.

Joonas Donskoi ($3,900) makes this awesome team affordable. Donskoi has actually averaged 15 FanDuel NHL points over the last three games, and has a season average of 12. That makes me wonder if his salary will be exceeding well over $4,000 with another double-digit game tonight against Brian Elliott and the Calgary Flames. Play Joonas while he’s affordable!

Next: Top Defense

Oct 22, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh (27) passes the puck against Washington Capitals during the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Ryan McDonagh ($5,300) is a good defensiveman on a New York Rangers first line which happens to be on fire lately. McDonagh also plays on the Rangers top power play line as well. Ryan’s FanDuel NHL points have been very consistent lately, scoring double-digit points in each of his last five games, three of those games exceeded 15 points. The Rangers are playing the Edmonton Oilers tonight, who also happen to be on fire to start the season. However, Cam Talbot is winning games by his offense scoring goals, not necessarily because of his net-minding. Talbot has a solid .932 save percentage, but he’s giving up two games per game. The Rangers offense is averaging four games per game, the most of any team in the NHL. So along with Kreider, we have to get a few Rangers into our lineup tonight.

Johnny Oduya ($3,900) is our good affordable option, making the other roster spots feasible. Oduya has double-digit FanDuel NH points in three of his last five games, not bad for $3,900. The Stars have a good matchup tonight against Jake Allen and the St. Louis Blues. Oduya should have another low double-digit point game, on a bargain salary.

Next: Top Goalie

Oct 13, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask (40) stretches during warmups prior to the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Tuukka Rask ($9,500) is off to a great start for the Boston Bruins. After five starts, Rask is 5-0 with a .961 save percentage, 3rd in the NHL, and is only giving up just over one goal per game. Unlike Braden Holtby ($9,600), he’s worth the price salary at goaltender. Rask and the Bruins do have a challenge tonight, playing the Tampa Bay Lightening. The Bolts are scoring over three goals per game, and have a solid 6-4 record after their first ten games of the season.

However, Tampa is also giving up three goals a game, as Ben Bishop has struggled in net to start the season. Tonight, Tampa should have the 22 year-old Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal. Vasilevskiy has looked decent in his three starts, but is still developing and is vulnerable against a solid Bruins offense and tough competition from Rask on the other side of the ice. This is a great opportunity to get 12+ points from your goalie spot.

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!