FanDuel NHL: February 28
By Matt Rogers
In Tuesday’s FanDuel NHL: February 28th column, we’ll review the best options at each position and help you afford the top scoring lineup for your big FanDuel NHL payday. The salary options mentioned are set by FanDuel for Tuesday. Tonight, we’re going to have many top scoring options with several value picks for affordability.
The NHL schedule is loaded tonight, with twelve games on the slate. So, there are going to be multiple combinations of lineups to consider. We’re going to narrow our search down to five games, and stack some teams. Here’s a look at the schedule of games we’re targeting tonight:
Coyotes at Bruins (7pm ET)
Predators at Sabres (7pm ET)
Avalanche at Flyers (7pm ET)
Wild at Jets (8pm ET)
Maple Leafs at Sharks (10:30pm ET)
Boston has some hot offensive players and are on home ice tonight, but they will be challenged by a surging Arizona Coyotes, who have surprised some teams on the road recently.
The Wild are looking to keep up their hold at the top of the Western Conference in Winnipeg. And, the yellow hot Predators head into Buffalo, likely maintaining their scoring streak against a weak Sabres defense.
We’ll start at the center position with picks from Boston and Minnesota. Let’s take a look:
Next: Top Centers
Top Centers
Just a few days ago, we featured a hot Arizona Coyotes center, Martin Hanzal ($5,100), as one of our best picks for center. Unfortunately, after we locked in our FanDuel NHL lineups, the Coyotes announced they had traded Martin to the Wild.
In the Wild sweater last night, Hanzal only had 4.8 FanDuel NHL points. But, he was likely getting used to his new team. Tonight, in Winnipeg, I expect Martin to bounce back and return to his double-digit FanDuel NHL point average to close out February.
Leading the 3rd line for the Boston Bruins, Ryan Spooner ($4,800) has consistently been involved in scoring since the start of the new year. Spooner has two goals and four assists over the Bruins last six games, and is averaging around 14 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the last two weeks. Ryan is a value play at center, but it feels like a steal.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
Predators and Jets stars Filip Forsberg ($7,600) and Patrik Laine ($7,600) are absolutely on fire over the past two weeks. Forsberg now has an incredible eight goals in the last four games, scoring at least one goal each game and a hat-trick in two games. That’s quite a run. Filip has to cool off soon, but it’s not just Forsberg who’s hot, the entire Predators offense is surging. So I expect, even if Forsberg doesn’t score a goal tonight, he’ll be involved in one or many more assists.
Since returning from an injury in late January, Laine has played out of his mind. Patrik played thirteen games since the injury, and has ten double-digit FanDuel NHL points in those thirteen games. So, Laine is almost a lock for 10+ FanDuel NHL points each night, and is scoring 20-40 points almost every other game. Forsberg and Laine are each worth the salary payout.
Radim Vrbata ($6,000) finally has salary reflecting his season, unfortunately. Vrbata has been a tremendous value play this year. But after scoring four straight goals, adding two assists, over the last four games, it’s reasonable to pay $6K for Radim. Tonight in Boston, I’d like to see Vrbata’s scoring streak continue.
We’ll complete our four winger picks with another Wild player, Jason Zucker ($4,900). Zucker isn’t on Hanzal’s line, he’s playing on the Wild’s top line, but he’s been involved in four goals over the last three games. For under $5K, we can likely get around 10 FanDuel NHL points, with a solid potential for around 20.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
As we discussed with Forsberg, the Predators are becoming an offensive juggernaut. Roman Josi ($6,600) now has ten-straight FanDuel NHL double-digit point games. That’s an amazing run and should continue tonight. Over the last five games, Josi has two goals and six assists, he’s getting several shots on goal and is blocking shots each game. Roman is a strong candidate for 20+ points tonight in Buffalo.
With four straight double-digit FanDuel NHL point results and a sub-$5K salary, Jake Gardiner ($4,700) continues high value play at defense. The Maple Leafs are on road ice, in San Jose, but Martin and the Sharks have struggled on defense recently. Gardiner has a good shot at a first straight 10+ point result tonight.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
The Philadelphia Flyers goal tending has struggled since late December, as has the Flyers season. But tonight, Philly is hosting the dreadful Colorado Avalanche. That immediately makes the Flyers net minder a solid option tonight.
FanDuel now indicates Michal Neuvirth ($7,700) as the starting goalie, but I don’t believe that’s correct. It’s more likely after getting a week of rest, Steve Mason ($7,700) will be between the pipes for the Flyers tonight.
While Mason struggled this season, he’s also had some gems, like a 34 save shutout performance against a good Rangers team in New York late January. Tonight, even with some mistakes, Mason should get the win, and could even see a shutout if he’s hot.
Keep your eye on the Flyers goalie announcements, you may have to flip back to Neuvirth. But he has the same salary, and should have a similar outcome.
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!