Fantasy Hockey Picks 11-4-14
These fantasy hockey picks will give you an edge tonight while others are focused on the NBA!
With a rare 8 game slate in the NBA, most of the attention in the DFS community will be focused on that. This provides an even bigger advantage in your hockey games and I’m going to help you exploit the opportunity.
Goalies:
Tukka Rask ($22,300) - Is going to be one of the safest options on the night. Boston seems to finally be turning it around and are playing well. Even with the defense banged up in front of him, the Bruins should have no problem controlling the puck for the majority of this game. The shots Tukka faces will be forced by FLA and not very good scoring chances. A shutout wouldn’t be a surprise at all.
Cam Ward ($11,900) - I never thought I would recommend a goalie on Carolina after the first week of this season, but the Blue Jackets look like an AHL team right now. With 7 of the 18 skaters that normally dress being out of the lineup, the scoring just isn’t there. Ward’s price is so cheap that he becomes a viable GPP play.
Others: Braden Holtby, Ray Emery
Centers:
Claude Giroux ($15,950) - Giroux is starting this season off just how he ended last year: On fire. He has 13 points in 11 games and he comes at a discount compared to Crosby. Giroux has a much better matchup and I think he is the top option tonight regardless of price.
Pavel Datsyuk ($8,700) - Datsyuk has at least 1 point in every game this season and his price is still way too low. He needs to be priced among the elite and is an auto play every night until he gets there. Ottawa like to play a very wide open game and Datsyuk won’t complain about that as he is one of the best play makers in the game in open ice.
Others: Seth Griffith, Tyler Bozak
Left Wing:
Zach Parise ($14,450) - For as great of a team that Pittsburgh is, they are still capable of giving up plenty of goals. Parise is matchup proof and always a safe option for your cash games. He never takes a shift off and always looks to get the puck on net. Even without scoring, his fantasy points will often reflect that of a goal. This sort of consistent production is hard to find.
Benoit Pouliot ($6,000) - With the injury to Taylor Hall, Pouliot will skate with the top line and top power play. The weakness of the Flyers team is their defense. I’m not a huge fan of EDM tonight but this price for a top line player is just too low.
Others: Jiri Tilusty, Michael Raffi
Right Wing:
Phil Kessel ($15,750) - Mike Smith continues to struggle in net for the Coyotes, and Kessel is most likely to take advantage of any of his struggles tonight. Kessel appears to be rejuvenated with the line changes in Toronto and his game is showing that.
Cam Atkinson ($11,450) - With the Blue Jackets plagued with injuries, this youngster will be forced to take on a bigger role. He has moved up to the top line alongside Ryan Johansen and Scott Hartnell. This is the only skating line that resembles an NHL roster in Columbus right now and they will have to carry the scoring load.
Others: Justin Abdelkader, Reilly Smith
Defense:
Mike Green ($11,550) - Being a defensman on the top power play of the Washington Capitals is a great place to be. Alex Ovechkin is probably the best pure goal scorer in the league. With the open ice that the power play provides and him drawing so much attention of the defense, other skaters on this power play greatly benefit. There are always great chances for assists skating with Ovechkin and Green is out there most of the time.
Dougie Hamilton ($9,500) - Hamilton is the biggest beneficiary of the injuries to Zdeno Chara and Torey Krug. He is getting all of the ice time with the Bruins top power play and also at even strength. Florida’s defensemen are capable of taking many penalties this game, because Boston should always be threatening.
Others: Niklas Kronwall, Damon Severson
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