FanDuel NHL: February 11 (Main)

Feb 5, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Capitals goalie Philipp Grubauer (31) makes a save on Los Angeles Kings right wing Dustin Brown (23) as Capitals right wing, and FanDuel NHL stud, Brett Connolly (10) defends in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: February 11 (Main) 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.

There’s a full slate of 13 NHL games presenting many FanDuel NHL plays this Saturday. However, the games are split between early afternoon and evening, eastern, periods of time. I’m going to avoid the ‘All Day’ option as that slate presents too many lineup risks. So this article is focused on the ‘Main’ FanDuel NHL time slate. Here’s a look at this evenings schedule:

Sabres at Maple Leafs (7pm ET)

Blues at Canadiens (7pm ET)

Avalanche at Rangers (7pm ET)

Lightening at Jets (7pm ET)

Ducks at Capitals (7:30pm ET)

Penguins at Coyotes (8pm ET)

Blackhawks at Oilers (10pm 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

Jan 16, 2017; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Washington Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom (19) skates with the puck against the Pittsburgh Penguins during the second period at the PPG PAINTS Arena. The Penguins won 8-7 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

The 19-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs, Auston Matthews ($7,200) has been hit-or-miss for FanDuel NHL this season. But when Matthew’s ‘hits’, he often piles up loads of points for your lineup. Auston’s ceiling is significantly higher than many other options at Center.

Matthews had around 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over a three game span for disappointing with a 6.4 point result against the Blues on Thursday. But is very active on a powerful Maple Leafs offense and rarely has back-to-back single-digit FanDuel NHL point nights. In a favorable match up against the Buffalo Sabres, Matthews should bounce-back tonight.

The Washington Capitals are scolding HOT! Whenever they’re on the ice I am going to have a few Caps in my lineup. I was going to go with Lars Eller ($3,600), but we’re going to get some savings out of our picks at wing, so with more salary on hand, we’ll grab a more attractive Nicklas Backstrom ($6,900).

Next: Top Wings

Feb 5, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing J.T. Miller (10) takes the ice prior to taking on the Calgary Flames at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

Sticking with the Capitals red-hot play, we’re going with 3rd line winger Brett Connolly ($3,200). The entire Caps 3rd line has been incredible lately, but Connolly is driving the most value from the line. We’re getting a guy who’s had double-digit FanDuel NHL points in the last five straight Capitals games, for only $3,200. This is a bargain!

The Penguins are in a very juicy match up against the Coyotes, in Arizona tonight. Crosby isn’t affordable, but 1st line wing Chris Kunitz ($5,000) has had double-digit FanDuel NHL points in four of the Pengs last five games, and is at a fantastic value. Even if Sid-The-Kid has a few goals tonight, Kunitz is very likely involved with the assists.

The Rangers have the enviable task of welcoming the horrendous Colorado Avalanche into New York tonight. Assuming the Rangers can get over the Oakley chants at MSG, the Rangers should have a dynamic offensive night tonight. So we’re going to round out our four winggers with big plays using J.T. Miller ($6,100) and Chris Kreider ($6,500). Kreider and Miller have each been on fire lately, both getting well over 10 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in each of the Rangers last five games.

Next: Top Defense

Feb 8, 2017; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) takes a slap shot during the second period against the Minnesota Wildat Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Marilyn Indahl-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Even with Letang as an option, I feel Duncan Keith ($6,300) is the best option at defense tonight, and is worth the salary. Keith is on the ice for the Blackhawks around 25 minutes per game. In that time, Duncan has one or more blocked shots and gets about two to three shots off per game. In Chicago’s last four games, Keith has six assists and one goal, all leading to a roughly 20 FanDuel NHL point-per-game average. Keith and the Blackhawks are engaged in a shootout tonight with the Oilers. This should be a good double-digit FanDuel NHL point play.

Cam Fowler ($4,800) and the Ducks are in DC playing a very hot Capitals team. Fowler is coming into this game with seven shots on goal, and assist, and two block shots in Buffalo. Fowler is likely to get over 10 points again with 25-28 minutes on the ice against the Caps tonight.

Next: Top Goalie

Feb 9, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30) looks on during a break in action against the Nashville Predators during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

I’ve stayed away from Henrik Lundqvist ($8,800) most of this season. But recently, the King has seemed to be finding his old form again. Lundqvist has helped me pile up some decent lineup scores over the last week, having over 23 FanDuel NHL points in each of the Rangers last four games, including a 42.4 effort on February 7th against the Ducks.

As we’ve already alluded to with our Ranger wing stack, New York is hosting a bad Avalanche team tonight, and Lundqvist is very likely to at least get the 12 points from the win, and is almost a lock for 20+ FanDuel NHL points again tonight.

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!