DraftKings Fantasy Hockey Cheat Sheet: December 2nd

Tonight’s featured DraftKings contest has a $3 entry or FREE if you are a new user. The top 2,750 finishers will split a prize pool of $35,000 with first place taking home $2,000! Do you have what it takes to turn $3 into $2,000?

Are you new to DraftKings or Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS)? (If so, SIGN UP for an Account HERE) Here’s a quick explanation on how to build your lineup an play! You have $50,000 in Salary space, to build a team that consists of 2C, 3W, 2D, 1G and 1 Util. Below you will find how skaters and goalies scoring works!

• Players will accumulate points as follows:

Goal = +3 PTS
Assist = +2 PTS
Shot on Goal = +0.5 PTS
Blocked Shot = +0.5 PTS
Short Handed Point Bonus (Goal/Assist) = +1 PTS
Shootout Goal = +0.2 PTS
Hat Trick Bonus = +1.5 PTS

• Goalies only will accumulate points as follows:

Win = +3 PTS
Save = +0.2 PTS
Goal Against = -1 PTS
Shutout Bonus = +2 PTS

• Goalie Scoring Notes:

Goalies WILL receive points for all stats they accrue, including goals and assists.
The Goalie Shutout Bonus is credited to goalies if they complete the entire game with 0 goals allowed in regulation + overtime. Shootout goals will not prevent a shutout. Goalie must complete the entire game to get credit for a shutout.

Below I’ve listed my top DFS plays at each position as well as my ideal DraftKings lineup for tonight.

CENTRES

PATRICE BERGERON – @ EDM – $6,400

Bergeron has always been known as a top-flight hockey player, but his skills are finally translating into fantasy hockey. Bergeron has scored 22 points (8G / 14A) in 22 games this season. Bergeron comes in averaging 5.2 DraftKings points per game in his last nine games and makes for a great option in Edmonton.

FRANS NIELSEN – vs. NYR – $5,100

If you don’t want to spend up to get John Tavares, Nielsen has been a great option all season-long. Nielsen has 19 points (9G / 10A) in 25 games this season and comes into play with four goals, five assists and 5.13 DraftKings points per game in his last eight contests. Henrik Lundqvist is on top of his game, but the Rangers are third worst in the NHL with 31.8 shots against per game against, making this a matchup worth targeting.

MARK SCHEIFELE – vs. TOR – $4,500

Scheifele has been held without a point in his last four contests, but draws a good matchup tonight. He averages nearly 2.5 shots per game, providing him with a stable-enough fantasy floor. The 22-year-old Kitchener native has played very well against his hometown team, scoring four goals with one assist in five career games against the Maple Leafs.

Value Options: RYAN STROME – vs. NYR – $4,400 / RICKARD RAKELL – vs. TBL – $3,600

WINGERS

BLAKE WHEELER – vs. TOR – $7,100

Wheeler has one goal and three assists during his four-game point streak—averaging 4.13 DraftKings points over that span. Garret Sparks recorded a shutout in his NHL debut, so you would expect him to give up at least one goal tonight. Wheeler has a point-per-game this season and comes into tonight on a roll.

COREY PERRY – vs. TBL – $6,600

If there is any Anaheim Duck worth owning, it is Perry. He has three goals and two assists in his last four games and his $6,600 salary is reflective of his slow start. That salary is more than digestible for a player of Perry’s calibre in a home matchup.

BRAD MARCHAND – @ EDM – $5,400

Marchand failed to record a point in his last two games after scoring five goals in his previous four games. Marchand’s numbers on the road are better than at home, he has collected six goals and three assists in nine road games. Marchand is averaging 3.8 DraftKings points per game, making him the third ranked winger in that category.

Value Options: JOSH BAILEY – vs. NYR – $3,900 / DREW STAFFORD – vs. TOR – $3,800 / FRANK VATRANO – @ EDM – $3,100

DEFENSEMEN

DUSTIN BYFUGLIEN – vs. TOR – $6,500

Byfuglien is the most expensive defenseman, but also averages the most DK points per game with 3.8. Byfuglien has one goal and three assists during his three-game point streak, which is good for 5.2 fantasy points per. The big defenseman has a point-per-game in his career vs. the Maple Leafs—points 14 points (4G / 10A) in 14 career games.

TOREY KRUG – @ EDM – $6,000

Drug ranks ninth in the NHL in shots by a defenseman, which provides him with a stable floor. He has averaged 3.5 DK point per contest this season. He has had three solid games in his young career vs. Edmonton and should be worth spending the money for tonight.

CAM FOWLER – vs. TBL – $4,000

After a slow start, Fowler has found his groove recently. Fowler has picked up one goal and five assists in his last seven games, which works itself out to 3.4 fantasy points per game. Fowler leads the team in power-play ice-time and he’s the Ducks’ defenseman to own.

Value Options: TRAVIS HAMONIC – vs. NYR / COLIN MILLER – @ EDM – $3,200

GOALIES

TUUKKA RASK – @ EDM – $7,600

Rask has won three straight starts while posting a 1.95 GAA and .934 SV%. He hasn’t had the best season, but has started trending in the right direction. The Oilers were blanked by Garret Sparks while he was making his NHL debut, so Rask should make for a fine start tonight. Edmonton has lost four of their last five while averaging just 1.40 goals per game.

JOHN GIBSON – vs. TBL – $6,200

Gibson will make his fourth straight start after posting a 25-save shutout over the Canucks on Monday. Since being called-up, Gibson has posted a 1.82 GAA and .936 SV% in three starts and one relief appearance. Last year the Lightning would have been a scary matchup, but this season they are a .500 team who is banged up and can’t score.

CONNOR HELLEBUYCK – vs. TOR – $6,100

Hellebuyck is widely regarded as one of the top goaltending prospects in the NHL, maybe only behind the guy above him on this list, Gibson. Hellebuyck stopped 14 of 15 shots in a win in his NHL debut and could make it two in a row with the Maple Leafs in town. Toronto has lost three of four while averaging hist 2.00 goals per game

SAMPLE LINEUPS