FanDuel NHL: February 21
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: February 21 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.
The NHL is back with an action-packed nine game slate tonight. So we have many lineup options. We’re going to narrow our options down to a select few games, to build and optimal lineup for GPP or Cash plays. Here are the games we’re targeting tonight:
Penguins at Hurricanes (7pm ET)
Jets at Maple Leafs (7:30pm ET)
Flames at Predators (8pm ET)
Kings at Avalanche (9pm 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
Top Centers
Jeff Carter ($7,700) cooled off against the Ducks in Anaheim on Sunday, only tallying 6.4 FanDuel NHL points. But heading into Sunday’s game, he had two goals and four assists over a three game period. A constant theme in our lineup is going to be the excitement we have for the Kings to play a dreadful Colorado Avalanche team. Given the match up, Carter is very likely to bounce-back tonight. Also, we’ll look to stack Carter with a King winger.
For value at center, we’re plucking Calle Jarnkrok ($4,200) into the 2nd position. Jarnkrok quietly accumulated four goals and two assists in the Predators last six games. Calle is consistently recording double-digit FanDuel NHL points over the last two weeks. Tonight in Nashville, the Predators are hosting a vulnerable Flames team. This could be another 10-15 point night for Jarnkrok.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
As we mentioned with our Carter pick, we’re stacking a King winger from Carter’s line. Tanner Pearson ($5,700) is Carter’s wing-man. Like Carter, Pearson cooled off a big in the Ducks game. But prior to the game in Anaheim, Tanner was scolding hot with four goals and three assists over just three games. Pearson should stay hot in Colorado tonight.
While we’re on hot players, another one we must add to our lineup is Patrik Laine ($7,500). Over the last four Jets games, Laine has five goals and three assists. Patrik is averaging over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in the last week. Even if the Leafs win this one, it’s likely Laine’s line gets another goal tonight.
Rounding out our four wing options are William Nylander ($5,800) and Viktor Arvidsson ($5,700). Nylander’s had a few FanDuel NHL dud results, but he’s also getting goals and assists every other game. After a disappointing 4.8 FanDuel NHL point performance in Carolina, it’s very likely Nylander bounces back with a goal, assist, or both against a porous Jets defense.
I loved playing Arvidsson earlier in the season. However, I’ve learned he has better result at home, versus road games. In the last two games away from home, Viktor averaged 3.2 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. However in the two games at home, earlier, he totaled over 70 FanDuel NHL points, roughly a 35 point average. I also like the Predator’s matchup with the Flames tonight.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
After a quiet week, Jake Gardiner ($4,400) scored a goal and added two helpers for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Gardiner totaled 31.2 FanDuel NHL points on Sunday against the Hurricanes, in Carolina. Tonight, the Leafs head back home for a favorable matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have played terrible defense lately, and Hellebuyck is struggling in goal. Gardiner should at least get another assist and could add another point from a goal or 2nd assist. This is a solid value pick.
Justin Faulk ($5,300) and the Carolina Hurricanes are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Murray is tending net and is having a great season. But Murray can struggle on the road. Faulk is the Canes top FanDuel NHL option on defense and is utilizing his 20+ minutes on the ice each game, racking up shots, blocked shots, and has a goal and assist in the last five games.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
Peter Budaj ($8,500) is win-less in his last three starts. In fact, Peter actually has four losses in his last five starts for the L.A. Kings. So it’s possible many FanDuel NHL players will fade Budaj even though he’s set up for a very favorable road matchup in Colorado, against a dreadful Avalanche team.
The Avalanche are rock-bottom in the NHL for scoring and shots on goal. That doesn’t bode well for Budaj to rack up 30+ saves. However, Peter should have over 20 saves, and shutout Colorado the last time he defended the net against them in February. So with over 20 saves and the FanDuel NHL 12 points for the win, Budaj should get us 28 to 35 points tonight.
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!