NHL GPP Plays: Tuesday, February 9th
Every Tuesday and Thursday I am going to give you my top tournament plays for all Daily Fantasy Hockey GPPs (guaranteed prize pool). GPPs are a general term used across the industry for your big money tournaments.
GPPs are very different from your cash games and you use a different strategy with them. In our GPPs we are not interested in safe plays, since GPPs are all about UPSIDE. We want players who can explode, as all-or-nothing type players can become GPP gold, and your value players are just as important as your star players. You need your players to have huge nights in order to take down these big tournaments.
My goal is to provide players who will be under-owned and have that big game upside you are looking for. I will also try to find as much value as I possibly can. Now, let’s get to the NHL GPP plays!
GOALTENDERS
Make sure to check the RotoGrinders Starting Goalies Page prior to game time, to confirm that the goalies listed below are starting.
Robin Lehner, Buffalo Sabres – Lehner has been outstanding in goal for the Buffalo Sabres this season (2.17 GAA, .939 SV%), and I love his potential tonight against a Florida Panthers team playing their second game in as many nights. The Panthers are not only playing on consecutive nights, but they will also be without young stud Aleksander Barkov due to injury. Despite his terrific play this year, Lehner remains inexpensive across the industry and we should be taking advantage of that tonight.
Other Goalies To Target – Frederik Andersen, Jacob Markstrom, Joonas Korpisalo, James Reimer
FORWARDS
Artem Anisimov, Chicago Blackhawks – Anisimov had a monster game over the Dallas Stars with a goal and three assists in the Chicago Blackhawks’ 5-1 win. The Blackhawks are dynamite on home ice (21-5-1) and their second line is in a decent spot again tonight. Martin Jones has been very inconsistent in net for the San Jose Sharks this season and he was torched in his last start, giving up five goals to the Nashville Predators. Anisimov has multi-point upside and he should once again fly under the radar in GPPs.
Kyle Okposo, New York Islanders – Speaking of monster games, Okposo exploded offensively against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday with three goals, four points and eight shots on net. With Columbus Blue Jackets’ shutdown center Brandon Dubinsky focusing on John Tavares, Okposo and the Islanders’ second line can roam free tonight against a defensively challenged Blue Jackets squad.
Jiri Hudler, Calgary Flames – Hudler has four points in his last three games and is back on the Calgary Flames’ top line and number one power play unit. The Toronto Maple Leafs have been awful lately and they just dealt defenseman Dion Phanuef to the Ottawa Senators. Look for Hudler and the Flames‘ potent top line to light up Toronto on home ice.
Patrick Eaves, Dallas Stars – Eaves will play alongside superstars Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin on the Dallas Stars’ top line tonight in Minnesota against a Wild team that is really struggling. The Wild have lost five straight games, giving up 19 goals against along the way. Dollar for dollar, Eaves is the best option on the board in tournaments.
Other Forwards To Target – Vladislav Namestnikov, Adam Henrique, Nazem Kadri, Wayne Simmonds, David Perron, Joseph Blandisi, Nikolaj Ehlers, Leo Komarov
DEFENSE
Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia Flyers – Gostisbehere’s price continues to rise and because of that, his ownership levels are decreasing on a nightly basis. The 22-year-old is riding a very impressive eight-game point streak, including three of the multi-point variety. The Anaheim Ducks are playing well of late, but this will be their second game in as many nights after getting beat up in Pittsburgh last night. The man they call Ghost once again has big game upside in this matchup.
Other Defensemen To Target – Brent Burns, Rasmus Ristolainen, Andrej Sekera, Eric Gelinas