NHL DFS For Thursday the 18th
There are many benefits to using an NHL Optimizer when making daily fantasy lineups for DraftKings or Fanduel. FantasyData uses expert fantasy projections which creates an opportunity for spotting value in the cost when making your lineup. DFS sites do not adjust the prices of players of any slate once available, which means that if a player is ruled out from an injury the backup player’s price is not adjusted. Staying on top of all injuries can be a huge task, thankfully FantasyData’s team is making updates to their projections constantly to allow their subscribers an edge in finding the best players. All of our NHL player projections are fed into our NHL optimizer daily to allow the user the best possible DFS NHL Lineup.
Using FanDuel Salaries
Centers
Nazem Kadri $7,100
Kadri is facing off against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. That little bit more motivation could propel Kadri into having another good game. Kadri has scored double-digit DFS points in 8 of his last 10 games. In four of those games, he scored more than 20 DFS points. The two-way forward will be heavily involved against his former team.
Dylan Strome $6,100
Strome and his Capitals take on the Blues in what should be an even matchup. Strome leads the team in goals and should continue to see plenty of scoring chances. Not a very flashy matchup but Strome is the top-line center and the center on the top powerplay unit.
Dylan Cozens $5,200
Cozens and the Sabres take on the Blackhawks and they have struggled to defend the center position this season. The Blackhawks have struggled to keep the puck out of the net as well, averaging 3.59 goals against per game. Cozens should see extended ice time in the offensive zone and the Sabres should score a few goals, giving him a good opportunity to score DFS points.
Wingers
Jason Robertson $8,300
Robertson has been very good as of late, recording 13 points in his last 10 games. Robertson has proven to be one of the better playmaking forwards in the NHL and he has not been slowed down recently. His involvement in each game gives him a great chance to record at least one point in every game.
Cole Caufield $6,700
Riding the hot hand here, Caufield has scored in 3 straight games and recorded more than 20 DFS points in all 4 of his last 4 games. Caufield has almost a 50-shot lead on second place on the team. The Canadiens know who they want shooting and he should see plenty of opportunities against the Senators.
Pontus Holmberg $3,500
Holmberg has been promoted to the Leafs first line recently and he has been effective. He has recorded 8 or more DFS points in 6 straight games. He is getting a great opportunity to play with Marner and Matthews and for only a cost of $3,500, he is well worth the shot. Using a player this inexpensive makes it so much easier to use the elite players that cost upward of $10,000 salary. His low cost and amazing opportunity make him a great choice for your lineup.
Defensemen
Adam Fox $7,100
Fox and the Rangers take on the Golden Knights in what is shaping up to be a great game between two of the top teams in the league. The Rangers will need Fox and his playmaking ability on full display to keep the game close. Fox is one of the better offensive-minded defensemen and has recorded 30 points in 33 games so far this season. Fox is on the top defensive pairing and controls the point on the top power-play unit. His involvement and reasonable salary cost make him a good choice for your lineup.
Devon Toews $5,800
Toews plays top pair minutes on one of the best teams in the NHL. His defensive pair, Cale Makar is one of the best defensemen in the league but Toews is no slouch. He is more defensively-minded than Makar, but can still create for the offense. Toews has scored 8 or more DFS points in 12 of his last 13 games. Going against a good team like the Bruins could result in a bump in ice time because the Avalanche will want their top defensive pairing out on the ice. For such a low cost, Toews is a good selection for your lineup.
Goalie
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen/ Devon Levi $7,900
The Sabres are facing off with the Blackhawks, who are tied with the second least goals scores this season. Bedard is also missing this game for Chicago. The matchup is everything and the sportsbook agrees. The Sabres are favored (-285) on the money line and the over/under for the game is 5.5. The Sabres goalies are also fairly inexpensive considering the matchup.
Recap from Last Articles Picks (Thursday the 11th)
Centers
- Sebastian Aho: Aho had a solid game where he recorded 6 shots and 1 assist. Scoring 17.6 DFS fantasy points.
- Tage Thompson: Thompson had a great game where he scored twice and had 5 shots. A great 32.5 DFS points.
- Morgan Geekie: Geekie had his opportunities but could only muster 6.4 DFS points on 4 shots.
Wingers
- Gabriel Vilardi: The Jets only scored twice in their game but Vilardi got one of them. He recorded 1 goal on 4 shots and even had one blocked shot. A solid 20 DFS points.
- Andrei Svechnikov: One of my favorite picks of the night and he delivered with a solid score. It only took him one shot to score but he still managed to record 15.2 DFS points.
- Max Pacioretty: Pacioretty was very cheap and one of the better values of the night and he did not disappoint. Scoring a goal and recording 13.6 DFS points.
Defensemen
- Erik Karlsson: A solid outing for the playmaking defensemen where he recorded 2 shots and 1 assist. Good for 11.2 DFS points.
- Gustav Forsling: Forsling did not have a good DFS game, scoring only 1.6 DFS points.
Goalie
- Joey Daccord: Daccord had a very good game, only allowing one goal and getting the win. The 25-save effort was good enough for a strong 28 DFS points.
