NHL Daily Plays: Monday, October 13th
I must say, this is my favorite time of year. Not only is football in full swing, but we have baseball playoffs and hockey as well. How does it get more exciting? It is DFS heaven!
To all my Canadian friends: Happy Thanksgiving!
We have a short slate today (four games), but there are just enough games to make it interesting in both cash games and your GPPs. On days when there is a light schedule, it makes sense to take on a little more risk than usual, and separate your team from the pack. This is especially true in your GPPs. In your cash games, we want to pick on the weaker teams (Buffalo and Florida) and pay attention to what Vegas is telling us. Hopefully I can help make your decisions a little easier. Let’s get to the picks!
GOALTENDERS
Tuukka Rask – Rask was not at his best Saturday vs. Washington (allowing four goals on 21 shots), but I fully expect him and the Bruins to bounce back tonight against Colorado. The Avalanche are no pushovers by any means, but they have yet to score this season and simply look lost. Play Rask with confidence tonight.
Frederik Andersen – Andersen was outstanding last season for the Ducks (2.29 GAA, .923 SV%) and was terrific in his win over the Red Wings on Saturday night. The Sabres are extremely weak offensively and were dead last in goals scored in 2013/14. Andersen may not see a lot of shots, but he should be a lock for a solid game and a win.
Other Goalies To Target (Cash Games) – Craig Anderson
Other Goalies To Target (Tournaments) – Ben Bishop, Carey Price
FORWARDS
Ryan Getzlaf – Getzlaf is off to a great start (2 G, 2 A, 10 SOG in 2 GP) and should be able to keep it going versus a bad Sabres team tonight. Getzlaf is one of the premier centers in hockey and has the benefit of playing on the same line as superstar winger Corey Perry. Buffalo has already allowed nine goals in two games this season, and they appear to be picking up right where they left off last season. Look for a multi-point effort from Getzlaf.
Max Pacioretty – Pacioretty has not scored since opening night in Toronto, but does have nine shots on goal through three games. Pacioretty will see plenty of ice time on both the Habs’ top line and the powerplay tonight. Pacioretty has a high floor and huge upside, making him a great play in any format.
Corey Perry – Perry is the best power forward in the NHL and is off to a nice start this season (3 G, 4 PTS, 8 SOG in 2 games). Perry should be licking his chops at a matchup against the dreadful Sabres, and I expect a big game from him today. Perry is my top play of the day at any position. Fade him at your own risk.
Ryan Callahan – Callahan is seeing a ton of ice time so far this season at both even strength and on the powerplay. Playing on the wing with Steven Stamkos is a huge plus, so I think he makes a great value play tonight.
Kyle Turris – Turris has played well in the Sens’ first two games and is in a great spot to produce tonight versus a struggling Panthers squad. Turris is Ottawa’s #1 center and is also on the Senators top powerplay unit. Florida has lost both of their games this season, allowing eight goals in the process. Turris has multi-point upside and makes a great value play tonight.
Other Forwards To Target (Cash Games) – Steven Stamkos, Patrice Bergeron, David Desharnais, Ondrej Palat, Brad Marchand, P.A. Parenteau, Reilly Smith
Other Forwards To Target (Tournaments) – Nathan MacKinnon, Ryan Kesler, Valtteri Filppula, Bobby Ryan, Gabriel Landeskog, Jarome Iginla, Drew Stafford
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson – Karlsson is the best offensive defenseman in hockey and is fresh off a 74-point season (20 goals, 54 assists) in 2013/14. With the Panthers’ inability to prevent goals and Karlsson’s offensive prowess, I am expecting a multi-point performance this evening.
Andrei Markov – Markov is coming off a huge game Saturday night against the Flyers (1 goal, 2 assists) and is moderately priced across the industry. Markov seemingly never leaves the ice (averaging 26:54 of ice time per game), and plays in all situations.
Other Defensemen to Target (Cash Games) – P.K. Subban, Victor Hedman
Other Defensemen to Target (Tournaments) – Torey Krug, Sami Vatanen
Good Luck Grinders!
Pepsi7