Braden Holtby Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

Braden Holtby has had an up and down season thus far, but he's still regarded as one of the top goalies in the NHL. Tonight, he faces a Detroit team on the second of a back-to-back. In his only other appearance against the Red Wings this year, he stoped 31 of 32 shots in route to a victory. Vegas has the Capitals as huge favorites tonight (-260), so Holtby should be in store for a comfortable victory.

We have two solid options in play tonight and I would feel comfortable rolling out either goalie in any format tonight on this six-game slate. However, if you are playing cash games, I think Semyon Varlamov is the safer option. Varlamov (2.36 GAA, .930 SV%) and the Avalanche have been outstanding on home ice (26-11-2), and the Chicago Blackhawks are not only playing on consecutive nights, they have also struggled to score, ranking 23rd overall in the National Hockey League since the All-Star break. Now, if you want a little more save potential, the struggling Braden Holtby is likely the better option. The Carolina Hurricanes love to shoot the puck (averaging 34 shots per game, good for fourth overall), but they just cannot seem to score (23rd overall in goals per game this year), which sets up perfectly for Holtby tonight at the Capital One Arena.

We have yet another slate where trusting a goalie in cash game seems difficult. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the biggest favorite on the board which certainly puts Frederik Andersen in play, however the New York Islanders have a very dangerous offense. Although I think Andersen wins and sees plenty of rubber, we could have ourselves a shootout at the Air Canada Centre, which eliminates Andersen for me in cash games, and leaves me with Braden Holtby. The Washington Capitals are next in line in terms of being a big favorite, and I think they get the job done tonight at the Capital One Arena. Holtby has been rock solid on home ice this year (2.13 GAA, .932 SV%), and I think we see another strong performance from him this evening.

The main issue with Holtby is that his defense is a liability. Washington has struggled to keep high quality shot attempts and scoring chances down, so there is some risk that Holtby can be hung out to dry in any given night. However, he is worth a look on the early slate with not many strong netminding options. The Blues offense has been in something of a funk lately, making some of the risk negated. Over the past month, the Blues are no better than middle of the pack in terms of generating scoring chances and high-danger shot attempts.

After a breakout campaign two seasons ago which earned him the Vezina Trophy as the league's top goaltender, Braden Holtby has picked up right where he left off this season. Entering tonight's game with a 7-3 record to go along with a stellar .942 SV% at home, Holtby will look to improve upon those numbers tonight against the Kings. A matchup against a potent Los Angeles team may seem risky, but they have had troubles generating quality scoring chances away from ice this season despite regularly outshooting their opponents. Holtby won't be cheap, but on a night with plenty of options to choose from in net, I expect Holtby's ownership to be lower than expected with many of your opponents opting to find value at goalie, making him a solid tournament option in a game he should receive enough goal support to come away with the victory.

The Arizona Coyotes have been the worst team in National Hockey League so far this season, toting a 2-12-1 record, while ranking 20th in shots on goal and 28th in goals per game. Needless to say, this is a plus matchup for Braden Holtby and Washington Capitals, and I expect them to dominate this game from puck drop. The Capitals netminder has looked terrific in his last three games (stopping 104 of the 111 shots he faced), and I expect another strong performance this evening. Holtby wont come cheap and he is unlikely to see a ton of rubber in this contest, but he is a lock for the win and he is your best shot at a shutout tonight at Capital One Arena.

It is another difficult night to find a lock in goal. We have plenty of high upside options in GPPs, but not one I love in cash games. With that being said, Braden Holtby is where I am leaning. I trust the Washington Capitals to produce offensively tonight and Braden Holtby is the most talented goalie on the slate. Holtby has been rock solid in net for the Capitals this year (2.19 GAA, .931 SV%), and the Detroit Red Wings are not an offense to fear. Holtby is not cheap, but he is the only goalie I trust in cash games and that is worth paying up for.

It seems like every night this week we have had a difficult time finding that lock in goal for cash games, and tonight is no exception. With most of the better teams on the road, I really dont love any option tonight, but I am going to roll with Braden Holtby. At the end of the day, I trust the Washington Capitals to win this game and we know Holtby is among the best goaltenders in the National Hockey League. The New Jersey Devils have improved offensively, but this is still not a good team or a great offense. Look for Holtby to make 25-plus saves and come away with the all-important win this evening.