FanDuel NHL: February 26 (Main)
By Matt Rogers
Yesterday’s FanDuel NHL column was loaded with great value picks, but the Buffalo Sabres line fell short. For FanDuel NHL: February 26 (Main), we’ll continue to review the best options at each position. The salaries for each player we discuss are based on FanDuel’s salaries set for Sunday. Tonight, we’re going to load up on top scoring options and add a few value options for affordability.
The NHL has seven games slated for Sunday. Two games begin in the early afternoon, one at 12:30pm ET and another at 3pm ET. But the FanDuel NHL MAIN slate of games begins at 5pm ET this evening. We’re going to build a lineup targeting the MAIN slate. Here is a look at the schedule tonight:
Blue Jackets at Rangers (5pm ET)
Oilers at Predators (5pm ET)
Senators at Panthers (7:30pm ET)
Blues at Blackhawks (7:30pm ET)
Sabres at Coyotes (10pm ET)
The Oilers are visiting a scolding hot offense in Nashville tonight. We’ll see if we can grab a few players from the Predators roster. The Blackhawks have also been on a roll offensively, but Allen and the Blues aren’t giving up many goals in February.
The Coyotes have had a surprise offensive surge in February, which should continue tonight. The Sabres offense was disappointing last night, which may continue in Arizona, so they’re a fade candidate.
Goaltending is going to be a tough pick this evening, but we’ll grab the best option on the board which offers solid value and allow us to fill our lineup with top scorers.
Next: Top Centers
Top Centers
The Buffalo Sabres goaltending has been struggling lately, especially last night. And the Arizona Coyotes offense has been on fire in February. So, I’m immediately looking for the Yotes top option at center, Martin Hanzal ($5,500). The most attractive part about Hanzal is his value.
Martin has at least one goal or assist in six of the last eight games. Hanzal is spending nearly 20 minutes a game on the ice and is also piling on blocked shots and extra shots on goal. Over the last four games, Hanzal has three double-digit FanDuel NHL point results. This is a good value for under $6K.
Jonathan Toews ($7,500) is absolutely on fire lately. Over the past five Blackhawks games, Toews has four goals and seven assists. Jonathan is averaging over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in February, and stacked over 58 FanDuel NHL points last Tuesday in Minnesota. Tonight, the Blackhawks are on home ice, and Toews should stay hot against the Blues.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
For our first two picks at wing, we’re stacking Toews with Richard Panik ($4,600) and Hanzal with Radim Vrbata ($6,000). Panik has been a beneficiary of Toews hot streak, also averaging over 20 FanDuel NHL points over the last five games. That’s incredible value for a sub-$5K salary option.
In February, Vrbata has consistently been a top value option at wing, but tonight that changes. Unfortunately FanDuel NHL finally upgraded his salary to $6K. But Radim has eight straight double-digit FanDuel NHL point results. So I’m OK paying a little more for this pick tonight. Consistency is valuable in FanDuel NHL!
Filip Forsberg ($7,300) has three-straight games above 30 FanDuel NHL points, scoring seven goals and two assists in three games. That is insane results over a three-game period. Forsberg will probably be heavily owned, but we don’t want to be the only lineup without another 30 point result.
Jussi Jokinen ($4,900) has double-digit FanDuel NHL point games in six of the nine games the Panthers have played in February. With that in mind, calling Jokinen a value pick almost seems odd. But at only $4,900 on home ice against the Senators, we have to have him in our lineups tonight.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
We talked about how Forsberg and the Preds top line is hot lately. Roman Josi ($6,300) is the top defensiveman on the Nashville Predators and is a key part of their top line with Forsberg. Josi now has six goals and six assists in February, after two goals last night against the Caps at home. Roman and the Preds should stay hot again on home ice tonight, this time against the Oilers.
Swinging back to the Coyotes top line, Alex Goligoski ($4,700) has 16+ FanDuel NHL points in three of the Coyotes last four games. If Hanzal and Vrbata stay hot tonight, it’s likely Goligoski is a big part of the effort as well.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
UPDATE: James Reimer ($8,000) is a confirmed start in place of Luongo. I actually like Reimer even more. Even though we’re getting $200 in salary back, I wouldn’t change the rest of the lineup. Flip Luongo to Reimber for tonight!
Even with Lundqvist and Crawford on the board, many of the goalie options tonight make me nervous. There are a lot of good goalies up against hot offensive lines, which could lead to spending too much money on a low FanDuel NHL point result.
Even though Roberto Luongo ($8,200) has struggled lately, he’s my favorite option at the goalie position. Luongo has only won two of his last five games. But he’s also making nearly 30 saves per game in February. Also, the last time the Panthers played the Senators on home ice, Luongo got the win and totaled 20.8 FanDuel NHL points. With a similar result from Robert and the Panthers tonight, we’re in for a nice payday.
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!