DraftKings Fantasy Hockey Cheat Sheet: February 17th

There are only three games on the NHL docket tonight, making tonight’s Daily Fantasy Hockey slate a tough one. Still, here are two DraftKings contests for you to join!

No. 1 — $45,000 SNIPER

$3 Entry or FREE to NEW Users
$3,000 to 1st Place
$45,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
Over 3,500 Get Paid!

No. 2 — $50,000 FACE-OFF

• $27 Entry or FREE to NEW Users
$5,000 to 1st Place
$50,000 Guaranteed Prize Pool
Over 425 Get Paid!

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 line stacks, defensemen and goalies as well as a few sample DraftKings lineup for tonight.

Centres

Matt Duchene – vs. MTL – $6,500

The Avalanche shook up their lines on Tuesday and Duchene skated between Jarome Iginla and Mikhail Grigorenko. Duchene had a phenomenal start to the season, but has cooled off, but this recent change should spark Duchene. He has three goals and one assist (3.1 FPPG) in his last eight games. The Avalanche draw a fantastic matchup with the Canadiens in town. It’s worth noting that Duchene is a point-per-game player in his career vs. Montreal.

Sean Monahan – vs. MIN – $5,800

Since being scratched, Monahan has picked up one goal, three assists, eight shots and 4.33 FPPG in three contests. In his last six, Monahan has registered three goals and seven assists (10 points) and a matchup vs. the Wild should allow him to continue his hot streak.

Derek Stepan – vs. CHI – $5,200

With just a three-game slate, you have to take a look at some players with sub-par matchups and that’s what the Rangers have tonight. I wouldn’t consider the Rangers vs. the Blackhawks on the road, but at home, Chicago is a little more susceptible. Stepan is on a three-game point streak, recording three goals and two assists (6.7 FPPG).

Value Options: Mikael Granlund – @ CGY – $4,000 /Mikhail Grigorenko – vs. MTL – $3,100

Wingers

Johnny Gaudreau – vs. MIN – $7,000

Like Monahan, Gaudreau has played great since being scratched against the Maple Leafs. Gaudreau has picked up five points (1G / 4A) and 5.3 DraftKings points per game in three games. The Wild are giving up an average of 3.86 goals against since the All-Star break.

Mats Zuccarello – vs. CHI – $6,100

Zuccarello has picked up the slack since Rick Nash was injured, picking up two goals, seven assists (nine points) in nine games which has works out to 4.5 fantasy points per game. The Blackhawks don’t represent a great matchup, but Zuccarello has been as steady as they come, which might be hard to come by in a small three-game slate.

Jarome Iginla – vs. MTL – $4,200

Ignite has picked up two goals, five assists and 20 shots in his last six games while playing on the fourth line. Tonight, he will move to the top line, so his 4.5 FPPG over that span could improve with better linemates tonight. With a $4,200 salary and a strong matchup, Iginla is a strong play tonight.

Value Options: Blake Comeau – vs. MTL – $4,000

Defensemen

Ryan Suter – @ CGY – $6,300

This Flames vs. Wild game is a mystery to me. It could be low scoring, could be high scoring. Who knows? Despite the Wild struggling mightily as of late, Suter has still picked up on goal, five assists and 4.5 DraftKings points per game in his last six. He shoots a lot and blocks a lot of shots, so he provides a stable floor on the backend.

Erik Johnson – vs. MTL – $5,600

Johnson doesn’t need to pick up points to be a solid daily commodity. He blocks a tonne of shots and the Avalanche are a terrible possession team so his opportunity to block shots will always be there. In his lat 10 games, he has five points (1G / 4A), 18 shots and 33 blocks, which works out to 3.7 FPPG.

Dougie Hamilton – vs. MIN – $4,900

After a rough first half, things have been looking up for Hamilton as of late. Hamilton has two goals, three assists, 15 shots and 5.9 FPPG in his last four contests. He blocks nearly as many shots as he takes, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a Daily Defenseman.

Value Option: Matt Dumba – @ CGY – $4,100

Goalies

Henrik Lundqvist – vs. CHI – $8,400

King Henrik has won five in a row while posting a 1.18 GAA and .954 SV% Tonight he faces the Blackhawks, who he is 6-1-2 against in his career and the Blackhawks are not nearly the same team on the road as they are on home ice.

Semyon Varlamov – vs. MTL – $7,900

Varlamov’s last outing was a forgettable one, two goals on two shots, but after his performance vs. the Red Wings, I guess it’s par for the course. He has the ability to be a No. 1 fantasy starter, but he is terribly inconsistent and the Avalanche give up a tonne of offence…in daily leagues, that could be a good thing. Expect lots of stops and a win tonight.

Sample Lineups