Fantasy Hockey Picks 11-18-14
These fantasy hockey picks will help you climb up the leaderboard tonight!
With a huge 11 game slate on the schedule and only 4 games in the NBA let’s shift our focus to the ice. Wednesday will once again be dominated by the NBA so let’s take all the attention we can get.
Goalies:
Johnatah Bernier ($18,850) - Toronto has been playing much better in front of their goalies in the past week or so. Nashville comes into this game with only 22 goals in 9 road games so far this season and is pretty much a one line team. Any time you can get your top defensive pairing against the focal point of the others teams scoring all game long you should be in good shape. Bernier’s price won’t break the bank and is in play tonight.
Sergei Bobrovsky ($11,150) - This play is for GPPs only as it will be tough for Columbus to steal a win. Bobrovsky was playing lights out before his injury and I am shocked at how far his price has dropped. Any goalie that is starting at this price needs to be considered.
Others: Antti Niemi, Frederik Andersen
Centers:
Niklas Backstrom ($12,550) - Backstrom is deadly on the power play and the Arizona Coyotes come in to tonight ranked 25th in penalty kill percentage. The Capitals haven’t been playing great but this is a chance to get back on track and I see it happening. There is a bit of a goalie controversy in Arizona so whomever is in net is going to be feeling the pressure.
Anze Kopitar ($11,700) - Kopitar is finally turning his slow start around. It seems that the Kings are going to put Kopitar, Carter, and Gaborik on the same skating line and this means trouble for the opposing team. These 3 together should be able to create a great scoring chance every time they are on the ice. They should also get plenty of power play chances vs the inexperienced blue line play of the Panthers.
Others: Ryan Getzalf, Valterri Fluppula
Left Wing:
Max Pacioretty ($15,150) - I am getting tired of writing about him and have a hard time finding news ways to explain why he is great for fantasy. Coming in on a 5 game point streak including two multi point games and I am really surprised it’s not more. He is playing great right now and Pittsburgh has been very weak at times this season. Pacioretty is not known for giving it his all on defense, and rather focusing on the offensive end. This works out perfectly in daily fantasy and I applaud him for it. Usually a very safe play for cash games.
Thomas Hertl ($8,150) - Hertl has the honor of skating with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. This skating line is really clicking right now and Hertl is the 3rd wheel. The way they are controlling the puck and Buffalo’s inability to keep the puck out of their own zone is a recipe for success for this top sharks line. Hertl comes at a great discount compared to the other two as he does not get power play time with the top unit but still provides a solid value.
Others: Patrick Maroon, Jamie Benn
Right Wing:
Johan Franzen ($13,350) - This pick is more of a gut feeling but I know from years of experience that there is something about playing Columbus that he loves. Franzen has destroyed the Blue Jackets over his career and scores seemingly every game versus them. It is tough trying to justify this price if Bobrovsky is in net but he just gets it done. I am not high on many at this position so I will provide some value plays.
Pascal Dupuis ($9,600) - The price on Dupuis is climbing fast but not fast enough for anyone that skates with Sidney Crosby. This is the equivalent to a wide receiver playing with Peyton Manning. The fantasy value just sky rockets and you simply can’t ignore it. Dupuis had great chemistry with Crosby and Kunitz before his injury last season and it looks like they are picking up right where they left off.
Others: Marian Gaborik, T.J Oshie
Defense:
Cam Fowler ($9,850) - The Ducks power play is going to get going after welcoming back Corey Perry to the lineup. Fowler is the lone defenseman on this power play along with two of the top forwards in the league. Jonas Hiller will be in net for CGY and the Ducks should know his tendencies very well. This can only help the Ducks offense and Fowler should be a beneficiary.
Damon Severson ($5,600) - Not only is this price still too low, but Winnipeg has spent the most time in the league on the penalty kill. Severson appears to have the green light on the power play to shoot as much as he wants and this is great for fantasy. While the points haven’t been there lately, the shots and opportunities have been and this can only lead to good things.
Others: Marc-Eduard Vlasic, Trevor Daley
Dupuis is out, yes?