FanDuel NHL: November 8th

Nov 7, 2016; Brooklyn, NY, USA; New York Islanders right wing, and FanDuel NHL Value Pick, Cal Clutterbuck (15) during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Barclays Center. Clutterbuck scored the game-winning goal. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: November 8th 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

November 3, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) moves the puck against the Los Angeles Kings defense of defenseman Derek Forbort (24) and left wing Tanner Pearson (70) during the third period at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

Tied for the NHL lead with eight goals already this season, Sidney Crosby ($8,900) continues a dominating offensive force the Pittsburgh Penguins. Over the last five games, Crosby has been absolutely fantastic for FanDuel NHL. Sidney has 25+ points in four of his last five games. The lone below 25 point game landing just over 11 points. So he’s a lock to land double-digit points.

Crosby is averaging over 26 FanDuel NHL points per game and is a 25-30 point candidate against Cam Talbot and the Edmonton Oilers tonight. $8,900 is pricey for a center, but Crosby is a must play in your lineups tonight.

The New York Rangers offensive continues to be on fire this season. The Rangers are scoring over four goals per game, and practically every line is benefiting from their offensive play. Kevin Hayes ($4,700) is a great example. Hayes has scored 13+ points in each of the Rangers last four games. Two of those games exceeded 28 points, 28.8 against Tampa Bay and 31.2 against Edmonton.

Tonight, the Rangers are playing Jacob Markstrom and the Vancouver Canucks in a favorable matchup for the Dynamic Rangers offense. Now that we’ve plugged an expensive, but very dependable, Sidney Crosby in our lineup, Kevin Hayes is a tremendous value to make Crosby affordable and still make other great moves.

Next: Top Wings

Oct 28, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Ottawa Senators left wing Mike Hoffman (68) skates during the warmup period against Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

We already talked about how excited we are playing Sidney Crosby tonight. In FanDuel NHL, you typically want to pair centers, wings, and defensiveman together, if you think there’s a favorable matchup. When I play Crosby, I usually like to play Patric Hornqvist ($7,000) as well. Hornqvist is on Crosby’s regular and first power play lines. Patric often benefits from Crosby’s goals, with an assist, or attention to Crosby can open up Hornqvist for a goal. Patric is also able to get shots on goal because of the offensive dynamics the Penguins have each game. Crosby/Hornqvist is a nice mini-stack for tonight.

Mike Hoffman ($5,700) is a highly dependable mid-range salary scoring for FanDuel NHL. Hoffman is very active on the ice, playing in the 2nd regular line and first plower play line for the Ottawa Senators. Hoffman has scored double-digit FanDuel NHL points in four of his last five games. Three of those games were 18+ points. That’s a good value. The Senators have a decent matchup tonight against the Nashville Predators and Pekka Rinne. Hoffman is a great value play here.

Marcus Johansson ($5,100) has been disappointing ,after posting three straight games of around 25 FanDuel NHL points or greater. In the Washington Capitals last two games, Johansson had 3.2 and 4.8 FanDuel NHL points. That’s quite a drop off. However, Marcus is playing on a good Capitals 2nd regular line and 1st Power Play line. Johansson is getting nearly 20 mins on ice, and three to six minutes of power play time. Tonight, the Capitals have a favorable matchup, at home in DC, against the San Jose Sharks. Look for Johansson to bounce back tonight!

Looking for another affordable option to plug into our lone winger lineup spot, let’s see if we can find a New York Ranger, since they’re the leading goal scorers in the NHL. Michael Grabner ($4,500) has three of his last five games in the 25 to 45 point range. While he also has two under five points, that could be outstanding value if he gets us another 20 point game on a very reasonable $4,500 salary.

Next: Top Defense

Oct 30, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere (53) looks to take a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Shayne Gostisbehere ($5,900) continues to be one of the top scoring options at defense, for the Philadelphia Flyers. Gostisbehere, or Ghost, has scored three goals and piled up six assists already this season. The Ghost is on the ice around 20+ minutes per game and around 5 mins per game for power plays. For only $5,900 you’re getting a top scoring defensiveman, on the ice often, playing in a great matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Yes, please.

In the other defense spot, I’m going Flyers once again. Radko Gudas ($3,800) has been incredibly consistent over the last five games. Gudas has 12+ points in each of his last five games, and 22 points in one of those games. With Radko back in the 3rd line for the Flyers, after a suspension, he’s also averaging around 20 mins of ice time per game. Gudas gets shots on goal, isn’t afraid to block shots, and is often involved in assists. He’s another good option at defense against the Red Wings tonight.

Next: Top Goalie

Nov 6, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) defends his goal against the Winnipeg Jets during the third period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Henrik Lundqvist ($9,100) is tied with Tuukka Rask and Carey Price with seven wins, 2nd among all NHL goals so far this season. Only Cam Talbot has more, eight. Tonight, the New York Rangers, and Lundqvist, have a favorable matchup against the Vancouver Canucks.

Henrik isn’t as dominate as he’s been in years past. So far this season, Lundqvist is giving up over two games per game, and has a .914 save percentage, tied with the Anaheim Ducks John Gibson, for 16th in the NHL. But, one of the key components of the goalie position in your FanDuel NHL lineup is wins, which garner 12 points. The Rangers are scoring more goals than any other NHL team, over our per game, and that bodes well for the Rangers each time Lundqvist is in net. So we’re banking on at least 12 wins, likely over 20 points, on a $9,100 salary tonight from Lundqvist.

Next: FanDuel NHL November 5th

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!