Mike Smith Daily Fantasy News, Rankings, Projections

With David Rittich getting the night off, Mike Smith, who is just $7,400 on FanDuel emerges at the top goalie option as Calgary checks in as the biggest favorite of the night. While shot volume in a concern, the win should be there as he will be backed by a dynamic offense averaging the most goals per game on home ice (4.29 GF/G). Smith is a building block in all formats on FanDuel.

On DraftKings, Anders Nilsson ($7,400) is an interesting tournament target against the certain heavy ownership on the Carolina Hurricanes. Nilsosn has performed well in his four starts with the Senators, going 3-1 while allowing just seven goals with some tough matchups against the Sharks and Avalanche sprinkled in there. Though they have been scoring lately, it is no secret the Hurricanes take a massive number of shots but struggle to convert them.

Mike Smith has taken a backseat to David Rittich this month, but he put together a fine effort Sunday night in Arizona, making 28 saves on 29 shots. While Smith is unlikely to see shots tonight with Dallas being on the tail end of a back-to-back, Dallas' offense is far from intimidating. They may have the talented top line, but the top line has done absolutely nothing on the road where Dallas is averaging just 1.92 goals per game. If you take away their six goal explosion 10 days ago, here are the Stars' goal totals in road games recently: 0 (last night), 2, 1, 1, 1, 1. Smith will be backed by the National Hockey League's best offense on home ice (4.45 GF/G), and while generally Smith is scary, he makes a lot of sense in all formats given that the Flames check in as the largest favorite of the evening.

**Edit @ 1 PM - David Rittich will get the call instead, and he is the same price as Smith on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Even though some regression will eventually come Rittich's way, it is unlikely to start tonight against this poor road team. Rittich has allowed three goals or less in every start and sports a 8-2 record, 2.04 goals against average and rock solid .930 save percentage**

Calgary has notoriously struggled in their visits to "The Pond", but they and Mike Smith draw a great matchup tonight against an Anaheim team averaging just 2.31 goals per game. The Ducks have been held to three goals or less in 14 of their 16 games played, and although Mike Smith has been hit or miss, his price is cheap ($7,400 on DraftKings and FanDuel) on a slate stacked with star power. Smith also checks in as the biggest, albeit moderate, favorite. The goaltending options are lackluster tonight, but Smith should keep the Ducks' underwhelming offense in check again, likely picking up the victory for a Flames' team that has won four consecutive contests.

Mikko Koskinen was recommended the other night against the Chicago Blackhawks, and he did not disappoint, recording a 40 save shutout against a Chicago team that has now dropped four consecutive games. The Blackhawks have managed to find the back of the net just three times over their last 10 periods of hockey, and while Mike Smith has been awful for the most part, he is an interesting boom-or-bust option in tournaments. The Flames have won three straight games and last season Smith was 3-0 against the Blackhawks with a 2.64 goals against average and .921 save percentage. The best part about Smith is he cheap on both DraftKings ($7,500) and FanDuel ($7,400). The Blackhawks have been unable to convert their chances recently, and Smith has shown some upside with a 43 save shutout victory in Nashville as well as a win in Toronto on Monday, allowing just a goal.

**Edit @ 12:55 - David Rittich will get the start for the Flames and emerges as a low-owned, high upside goalie option in tournaments. He is $7,300 on DraftKings and $7,600 on FanDuel. Rittich has been outstanding in his four starts, allowing two goals in Colorado (win), one goal at Madison Square Garden (win), three goals in Montreal (loss), and one goal at Buffalo (win). Fire him up in tournaments.**

The Calgary Flames were a big disappoint e t last season, but Mike Smith was one of the few bright spots. His numbers won't exactly jump out, but he provided the Flames with much better goaltending than any of their terrible backups, Jon Gillies, Eddie Lack and David Rittich were able to supply (.882 SV%). Smith, and the Flames for that matter, struggled at the Saddledome, but on the road they found better results, Smith especially. Whereas Smith posted a .901 SV% at home, he was dynamite on the road, logging a .937 SV%. The Vancouver Canucks are at the bottom of rebuilding mode, and while they have two promising youngsters in Brock Boeser and Elias Pettersson, the team will struggle to find the back of the net. Mike Smith is cheap on both FanDuel ($7,900) and DraftKings ($7,500).

Mike Smith isn't very expensive tonight and has a home matchup against the Anaheim Ducks. This is not an easy spot at all, but goaltending is kind of terrible tonight and a cheaper goalie that is actually good and on home ice is the way to go. The Flames have given up just 55.86 CA/60 which is the seventh best in the NHL over their last 10 games and I expect that to continue tonight. Smith has definitely struggled as of late, but banking on lower ownership for a goalie that can absolutely steal you a game could be a good contrarian route to go tonight.

Mike Smith and the Calgary Flames are hosting the Anaheim Ducks tonight and this is an interesting matchup. Over their last 10 games, the Flames have been solid and allowing just a 55.86 CA/60 which is seventh best in the NHL over the time. Now, Mike Smith has certainly struggled as of late, but he is absolutely the type of goalie that can steal his team a game and put up a big number for GPP's. There is certainly risk here, but the goaltending tonight is pretty weak and taking a home goalie that is cheap and likely to be underowned, is definitely a great tournament play.

Mike Smith missed a month of action before returning two games. His first game back he allowed four goals and then his second game he picked up a shutout. With the Sharks banged up last game and unknown what will be happening tonight, even if we assume they're healthy Smith makes for a great play. His season numbers have been solid with a 2.51 goals against average and a .922 save percentage and have given the Calgary Flames some much needed stability in net since losing Miikka Kiprusoff. The Flames are -135 favourites tonight and I expect Smith to pick up the win.

Many questioned the Calgary Flames going after Mike Smith to fix their goaltending problems, but the 35 year old has been one of the best goalies in the league this season. With a 2.41 goals against average and a .926 save percentage, Smith and the Flames host the Los Angeles Kings, a team that averages just 2.81 goals per game which puts them in the bottom half of the league. The Kings are also on the tail-end of a back to back in which they got smoked by the Vancouver Canucks 6-2 last night. While the Kings are likely looking to bounce back from the embarrassing loss, they could also mail this one in as it is their last game before the all-star break. Smith and the Flames are in a great spot tonight and Smith is my top goalie of the night.

Despite having some decent offensive weapons and firing 31 shots on goal per game, the Buffalo Sabres still cant score goals (sitting dead last in the goals per game in the National Hockey League this season), and when you cant score goals, you dont win many hockey games (losing 12 of their last 15 contests). This basically makes Mike Smith a lock in goal for your cash game lineups. Smith has been spectacular recently for the Flames, posting a sparkling 1.64 GAA and a dazzling .951 SV% in the month of January. Smith may not see enough rubber to be the highest scoring goalie tonight, but he is your safest bet for a win, and your best chance at a shutout.