Fantasy Hockey Picks 12-31-14
These fantasy hockey picks will help you wrap up 2014 by winning BIG tonight!
Be wary of the early start time for most of the games tonight. Let’s end the year with a bang. The last game of the night should end just before midnight Eastern. Winning some bucks will give us something to celebrate as the ball drops so we can act excited like everyone else. I will help you fit in tonight.
Goalies:
Jimmy Howard ($17,750) - While the Red Wings haven’t been winning much, they have been playing great hockey every time I’ve watched. Howard and the Wings are the biggest favorite on the night as New Jersey is just not a real NHL team right now. I see Detroit scoring a few goals tonight in support of Howard getting the win.
Ben Bishop ($16,900) - His price is starting to get back to where it should be. He was $12,500 after his injury and will be over $20,000 soon. Roster him at the huge discount while you can. The matchup doesn’t get any better than this as well. The price and matchup makes Bishop a 100% must play for cash games for me.
Others: Jonas Hiller, Marc-Andre Fluery
Centers:
Sidney Crosby ($14,750) - Sure it is easy to list the best player in the world but the price is not reflecting the talent. He is very under owned right now in games because of his recent lack of production but I am not looking much into that. Everyone goes through stretches where they aren’t scoring. Mike Johnston has decided to pair him with Malkin on even strength and I don’t see how they are shut down tonight.
Valterri Filppula ($8,100) - Tampa is in a great spot to score goals tonight and Filppula provides great value coming in on a 3 game point streak. He is now skating with Ryan Callahan and seems to love it. Filppula is still getting the ice time on the top power play unit with Steven Stamkos which is one of the best places to be for assists.
Others: Sean Monahan, David Krecji
Left Wing:
Pavel Datsyuk ($9,750) - I feel like I am writing about Datsyuk every game he plays but how can I not? This price remains about $4,000 too low and he is coming into this game on a 4 game point streak. The home matchup with the Devils should suit Datsyuk well. New Jersey’s penalty kill is ranked 23rd in the league and Datsyuk and the Wings are killer on the power play with the leagues best scoring rate with the man advantage.
Johnny Gaudreau ($10,600) - Johnny Hockey is lighting up the score board night in and night out. He looks to have finally figured it out and has tallied 6 goals and an assist in his last 4 games. The hottest player int he league right now and the price is very affordable.
Others: Taylor Hall, Zach Parise
Right Wing:
Bryan Rust ($5,000) - Rust is expected to skate alongside Crosby and Malkin at even strength. There isn’t a better position for a value play in the league. Last game he was with Crosby all game and that is good enough for me. It will be tough to pass on him tonight at this price.
Shane Doan ($9,050) - Dallas allows the second most goals per game in the league. Since Draftday does not count plus-minus as a stat, players against Dallas are always in play. Doan is on the only skating line that seems to score for the Coyotes and is pretty consistent to get you a few fantasy points. The upside is not nearly as high as other players but for cash games you want consistency.
Others: Nikita Kucherov, Jason Pominville
Defense:
Niklas Kronwall ($9,850) - Kronwall loves playing at Joe Lewis Arena where he has 15 points and a +5 rating compared to 6 points and -7 on the road. Detroit’s power play is in a great spot tonight and Kronwall has a monster shot from the point. Pairing him with Datsyuk seems like a plan to me tonight.
Derrick Pouliot ($5,300) - Great bargain tonight due to all of the injuries the Penguins are facing. He was on the ice for over 20 minutes last game and got the ice time with the explosive power play unit. I am all over Pittsburgh tonight and Pouliot gives you the salary relief needed to fit the big guns in.
Others: Victor Hedman, T.J Brodie