Keith Yandle Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

At $2,500 on DraftKings, Keith Yandle is the automatic play of the night in cash games, and even in tournaments it will be tough not having max exposure to the veteran blue liner who sees time on the team's top power play unit. Do not make the mistake of not playing him in your head-to-head lineups.

Besides the obvious play on the pricing error with Yandle, another source of salary relief from Florida is Nick Bjugstad who made his return last time out. After his first game in five weeks, Bjugstad logged just under 13 minutes of ice time, taking three shots on goal and blocking a shot. Nick is a cheap forward to open up salary elsewhere.

**Edit @ 11:15 - Nick Bjugstad will not be on the top line. Instead it will be shot-making Frank Vatrano alongside Aleksander Barkov and Evgeni Dadonov. Vatrano is an interesting tournament option. Remember though, Florida is often juggling their lines**

Aleksander Barkov, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Evgenni Dadonov will host the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight. This trio correlates fully on the team’s top power-play unit along with defenseman Keith Yandle. It’s unknown who will be in net for Columbus as Bobrovsky was pulled after allowing three goals last night. While Korpisalo didn’t allow a goal last night in relief, his .888 save percentage is definitely something to target if he does get the starting nod.

Despite missing Vincent Trocheck to injury, the Florida Panther’s are still a strong possession team. Since losing Trocheck, the Panther’s CF/60 has remained strong (61.68), while the New York Ranger’s have struggled with puck possession (CA/60 of 61.55). That is good for third worst in the entire NHL. Aleksander Barkov, Mike Hoffman, and Jonathan Huberdeau make up Florida’s loaded up top line, and I expect them to spend a lot of time in the offensive zone. All three also play on the team’s top power-play unit, giving them elite upside. Defenseman Keith Yandle is a nice addition to the stack if you have the salary available.

The Chicago Blackhawks will continue their Florida road trip as they visit the Panthers tonight. Last night Chicago allowed four goals to the Lightening, and they come into tonight’s game last in the NHL in high danger scoring chances allowed per 60 minutes (13.09). Aleksander Barkov, Mike Hoffman, and Evgenii Dadonov will have their chances tonight, and I expect them to pay off their moderate price tags. It is also Hoffman’s birthday if you’re into that kind of narrative. Keith Yandle is the play on defense, as he plays on the first power-play unit.

The Florida Panthers face the New York Rangers tonight. While both of Florida’s top lines are in play once again, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Frank Vatrano tend to always garnish less ownership. I’ll take the salary discount and lower ownership in tournaments. New York has struggled with puck possession (CA/60 of 61.19). The Rangers Henrik Lundqvist gave up five goals the other night before getting pulled. Whether it’s Lundqvist or Alexandar Georgiev in net, Florida will have opportunities to put the puck in the back of the net. Keith Yandle is the defenseman you want, as he is the power-play quarterback on the first unit, along with Huberdeau and Trocheck.

The Florida Panthers will welcome in the New York Islanders tonight. While both of Florida’s top lines are in play, Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Frank Vatrano tend to always garnish less ownership. I’ll take the salary discount and lower ownership in tournaments. Florida’s possession numbers remain strong, CF/60 of 59.79. While New York carries a CA/60 at 63.17. Keith Yandle is the defenseman you want, as he is the power-play quarterback on the first unit, along with Huberdeau and Trocheck.

With the Toronto Maple Leafs continuing to roll, they will be chalky, and rightfully so. If you’re looking for a potentially lower owned stack, the Florida Panthers top line of Aleksander Barkov, Evgenii Dadonov, and Nick Bjugstad are an interesting pivot. They were rolling the other night, despite a disappointing loss to Columbus. This line accounted for three goals, three assists, and ten shots of goal Thursday night at the BB&T Center. Even though the Canucks held the Tampa Bay Lightening in check the other night, this is a team lacking depth that we can pick on. The Panthers top line once again has multi-goal upside here. You can add defenseman Keith Yandle to the stack, as it appears he will be back manning the point on the teams top power play unit.

If you're looking to differentiate your lineup from the masses that will likely be rostering Florida's top line in tournaments tonight, consider taking the second line from Florida which features Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Frank Vatrano. After a slow start to the year, Trocheck has come on strong in recent games and now has 12 points over his past 10 games. Also featured on Florida's top power play unit, Trocheck and Huberdeau should have no problems improving upon their team lead in power play points against an Islanders penalty kill that ranks dead last in the NHL and has surrendered six power play goals in as many games.

If you're looking to differentiate your lineup from the masses that will likely be rostering Florida's top line in tournaments tonight, consider taking the second line from Florida which features Vincent Trocheck, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Denis Malgin. After a slow start to the year, Trocheck has come on strong in recent games and now has 11 points over his past 10 games. Also featured on Florida's top power play unit, Trocheck and Huberdeau should have no problems improving upon their team lead in power play points against a Montreal penalty kill that has dipped to 30th in the NHL and has surrendered 13 power play goals over their past nine games.

For my top defenseman on the night, I am heading back to the BB&T Center, where the Florida Panthers should dispose of the Ottawa Senators with ease. The Senators are not only an awful defensive team (31st in CA/60, 22nd in HDCA/60 and 27th in SCA/60), they have also struggled mightily all season long while short-handed, sitting 28th overall in the National Hockey League on the penalty kill, which should lead to plenty of scoring opportunities for Yandle this evening. The Panthers happen to own the leagues top power play this month (clicking at a 31.1% rate), and Yandle has been a big reason why (12 points in 12 February games), and I see a multi-point game in is future.