Fantasy Hockey Picks 2-28-15
Our expert fantasy hockey picks will help you crush the competition!
The NHL is giving us action all day today with games starting at 3 P.M. EST. The GPPs start at 7 P.M. but you can create a contest to include all 10 games today. For this article I will focus on the late players only as most of you playing will only be playing the late slate.
Goalies:
Brian Elliot ($17,800) - It is shocking to me that Elliot comes in at such a reduced price. The Blues are the biggest favorite on the night and should be a lock to get the win. STL should have no problem giving Elliot at least 3 goals of support and with the EDM offense lacking punch this should be plenty. A very safe option tonight for cash games and big upside with the shut out potential.
Others: Antti Niemi, Devan Dubnyk
Centers:
Mikael Granlund ($7,850) - With the addition of Sean Bergenheim, Granlund is now skating with Zach Parise and Jason Pominville. This is a great spot to be in for fantasy and this price tag makes the play even better. The only drawback is that he is not on the teams top power play unit with the two studs but the price is just too low to pass on.
David Backes ($12,700) - Scrivens gives up a ton of rebounds and with Backes big body sitting in front of the net this should lead to great results. I look for Backes to get great chances right in front of the net tonight and to put one home. STL is projected to score the most goals of any team tonight so you will want some exposure and Backes is a great place to start.
Others: Joe Thornton, Derrick Brassard
Left Wing:
Patrick Marleau ($10,550) - Marleau is starting to play like himself after a very slow start this season. The price tag is slowly climbing but is not where it will be by years end. Buy low while you can. Ottawa gives up over 32 shots on goal per game and Marleau is really looking for his shot lately. This should lead to plenty of scoring opportunities for the Sharks tonight and Marleau is one of the best bets to take advantage.
Jaden Schwartz ($11,050) - Another cheaper way to get exposure to the STL offense tonight and pairing him with Backes will give you one from each line which should get you points on most of the goals the team scores. Also one from each power play unit which is a great way to play in your cash games.
Others: Rick Nash, Alex Galchenyuk
Right Wing:
Brendan Gallagher ($11,550) - Red hot right now with 6 points in his last 4 games including 4 goals. Skating with Max Pacioretty is certainly helping Gallaghers production and I don’t see it stopping against a Toronto team that is 7-18-5 on the road this season.
Jakub Voracek ($13,250) - Having been put on a different line that Claude Giroux has given Voracek matchups against the 2nd and 3rd lines for the opponents and Voracek has been able to take advantage early on with this experiment.
Others: Mats Zuccarello, Thomas Vanek
Defense:
Alex Pietrangelo ($11,400) - My top defensive play tonight. Getting around 25 minutes of ice time every game and all the power play time as well. Pietrangelo will skate with both of the two scoring lines for STL throughout the game is likely to pick up an assist or two. He has also been putting his body on the line and blocking shots to produce even when he doesn’t find the scoresheet.
Dan Boyle ($8,300) - He has re-joined the top power play unit for the Rangers and the Fylers have the 28th ranked penalty kill. This should give Boyle plenty of chances to produce tonight for a very moderate price. With the Fylers very slow defensmen I think they can’t help themselves but to take penalties trying to slow down Rick Nash and company.
Others: Jonas Brodin, P.K Subban