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FanDuel NHL: February 5

By Matt Rogers

Jan 31, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 31, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) reacts during the first period against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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FanDuel NHL
Mar 9, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Jonathan Quick (32) and defenseman Rob Scuderi (7) defend the goal against Washington Capitals left wing, and FanDuel NHL stud, Alex Ovechkin (8) during an NHL game at Staples Center. The Kings defeated the Capitals 4-3 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: February 5 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 at each position, and help you afford an ideal lineup for your big FanDuel NHL paydays.

With the NFL dominating sports this evening because of Super Bowl Sunday, FanDuel NHL has a small slate of only three games to choose from.  The games start between noon and 2pm ET, so be ready to lock in all of your lineup picks early.  Here is a list of scheduled NHL games, with the games we’ll focus on highlighted:

Kings at Capitals (12pm ET)

Oilers at Canadiens (1pm ET)

Flames at Rangers (2pm ET)

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

Next: Top Centers

FanDuel NHL
Feb 4, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov (92) plays the puck against Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber (6) during the third period at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

The Capitals are on fire and the best team on the ice this afternoon.  So we’re starting off our lineup picks by grabbing two Caps for the Center position, Evgeny Kuznetsov ($7,100) and Lars Eller ($3,500).

Kuznetsov, a great last name for a hockey player, has carried over a tremendous performance last season into this season.  Evgeny is consistently piling up 20, sometimes 30, FanDuel NHL games. Kuznetsov only had 3.2 points against the Canadiens yesterday, but I expect Evgeny to bounce back today.

But Lars Eller is coming into this game after a nice 12.8 FanDuel NHL performance yesterday, quite a nice return for such a low salary.  Eller is a value pick at center, leading the Caps 3rd line. Eller is a decent shot at another 10 points while leaving salary in our pocket for some expensive plays throughout the rest of our lineup.

Next: Top Wings

Top Wings

Alex Ovechkin ($8,900) is the best, and most expensive, option at wing this afternoon.  In 52 games so far this season, Ovi has 47 points, 25 goals and 22 assists.  That’s practically a goal or assist per game.  Ovi also has 10 power play goals and 202 shots on goal, around 4 per game. Alex only had 8 FanDuel NHL points against the Canadiens yesterday, but he consistently scores over 10 points most games, and is a very strong bounce-back candidate today.

Thanks to our value plays, we can afford another big play at wing, Leon Draisaitl ($7,000).  Like Ovi, Draisaitl is averaging nearly a goal or assist per game, with 47 over 54 games for the Edmonton Oilers.  Leon has also cooled off the last couple of games and is a strong bounce-back candidate with the Habs Montoya backing up Price this afternoon in net.

Marian Gaborik ($4,900) will likely be on the ice with Ovechkin, but on the 1st line for the L.A. Kings.  Gaborik is a sneaky good wing for the hot scoring Kings, at a sub-$5K salary.  Marian was very active against the Flyers yesterday, but only scored 4.8 FanDuel NHL points in a low scoring 1-0 OT win for the Kings.  Before that low scoring game, Gaborik had five-straight double-digit FanDuel NHL points.  With the Caps backup goal in net today, Marian has a solid shot of climbing above 10 points again today.

Looking for value in our last wing pick, young 21-year-old Artturi Lehkonen ($3,700) is playing on the Montreal Canadiens 2nd line this afternoon.  Artturi isn’t going to consistently provide double-digit FanDuel NHL points, but he’s a consistent mid single-digit point scorer and is due for a big game, since his 37 point effort in early January against the Jets.

Next: Top Defense

FanDuel NHL
February 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty (8) exits the player tunnel before playing against the Colorado Avalanche at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

With Philipp Grubauer in net for the Capitals, there should be more scoring opportunities for the L.A. Kings this afternoon.  And Drew Doughty ($6,200) and Jake Muzzin ($4,800), defending the top lines for the Kings, is the best defensive line of the afternoon.

Doughty has seven straight double-digit FanDuel NHL point games coming into this afternoon’s match up.  Muzzin, not as offensively strong as Doughty, has three double-digit FanDuel NHL point games in the same period.  But Jake is still always actively defending and usually piles up at least 5 points.  

Next: Top Goalie

FanDuel NHL
Jan 19, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (30) guards the net against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. New York defeated Toronto 5-3. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

With Holtby and Price off the board this afternoon, Talbot and Henrik Lundqvist ($8,700) are the top two options minding the net this afternoon for FanDuel NHL.  

Aside from a dreadful -1.6 FanDuel NHL point no decision effort against the Blue Jackets last Tuesday, Lundqvist has been consistently dominate tending the net for the New York Rangers since mid-January.  Also, the Rangers have, by far, the best match up facing the Calgary Flames at home this afternoon.  Lundqvist is, by far, your best goalie option this afternoon.

Next: FanDuel NBA Picks & Pivots

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!