Daily Fantasy Hockey Picks for DraftKings and FanDuel - 10/23/15

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We have 6 games in the NHL Friday night on a slower slate. We have some value goaltenders to choose from as some of the top guys are getting a night off. The Washington Capitals are playing in back to back games and their 3rd game in 4 nights on the road while the LA Kings are also playing on back to back nights but at home. So far this season teams playing back to back games are 13-16. With value goalies you will be able to roster some top talent Friday night.

The first thing to know when playing DFS hockey is that choosing your goalie is very important. In most cases, especially cash games, it is smart to pay up for the best goalie who is the biggest favorite to win on any given night. If you are going to play multi lineups in GPP formats you can start to stray away from the top guys and pick some lower end goalies and stack your forwards and defense. Another thing I watch closely when looking for value picks in DFS hockey is to watch the line combinations as new guys jump up the depth chart and start playing with superstars. The pricing on these players doesn't catch up fast enough and close to minimum priced players can be found nightly with plenty of upside.

The two sites I will be making picks for will be DraftKings and FanDuel. Here is the breakdown of the points for each site:

DraftKings:
Goal(3 Pts)                                                   Goalie Win(3 Pts)
Assist(2 Pts)                                                 Goalie Save(.2 Pts)
Shot(.5 Pts)                                                  Goal Against(-1 Pt)
Short Handed Point Bonus(1 Pt)             Shutout Bonus(2 Pts)
Shootout Goal(.2 Pts)
Hat Trick Bonus(1.5 Pts)
Blocked Shot(.5 Pt)

Fanduel:
Goal(3 Pts)                                                    Goalie Win (3 Pts)
Assist(2 Pts)                                                 Goalie Saves(.2 Pts)
+/-(1 Pt)                                                        Goal Against(-1 Pt)
PIM(.25 Pts)                                                Shutout Bonus(2 Pts)
Power Play Point Bonus(.5 Pts)
Shot(.4 Pts)

There is no difference in goalie scoring between the two sites but there is a significant difference in forward/defense points. On DraftKings you get awarded points for short hand points, blocks, shootout goals, and can receive a hat trick bonus. FanDuel has none of these categories but awards powerplay points, +/-, and penalty minutes. More than anything this affects how I choose my defense. On DraftKings I look for defense who block a lot of shots while on FanDuel I really concentrate on +/- more than anything as it is worth 1 point either way.

GOALIES

Jonathan Quick - LA Kings vs. CAR **PROBABLE**
DraftKings - $7,100 FanDuel - $8,500
Quick should be back in the net Friday night after getting a night off Thursday. He hasn't been on the top of his game to start the year but LA is perennially a slow starting team. They look to be getting back on track as they beat San Jose 4-1 on Thursday. When they are at the top of their game they play a great defensive game and this is what we should look for on Friday.

Mike Condon - Montreal Canadiens @ BUF *CONFIRMED*
DraftKings - $7,200 FanDuel - $7,800
Getting his second start of the year for the Habs and only allowed 1 goal in that game. Montreal has started the year off in playoff form going 7-0 with a +16 goal differential. Look for this to continue vs. a Sabres team in the bottom of the league in many stats.

CENTER

Nicklas Backstrom - Washington Capitals @ EDM
DraftKings - $6,500 FanDuel - $6,200
His price has not adjusted to the production to start the year and needs to be rostered in all formats. He is playing on the second line which is creating more shots for Backstrom while he is still playing PP time with Ovi. The upside is there in a matchup vs. the Oilers on Friday.

Connor McDavid - Edmonton Oilers vs. WSH
DraftKings - $5,400 FanDuel - $6,800
A great play over at DraftKings where his price is a lot lower than the talent level. He is a superstar to be and is starting to show why he was chosen 1st overall. He will get all the opportunity in the world on a young Oilers team needing a spark to make the next step. Only averaging about 9 shot attempts per game but we should see that rise as he gets more comfortable in the NHL.

Also Consider Andres Lee - New York Islanders

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WINGERS

Kyle Okposo - New York Islanders vs. BOS
DraftKings - $6,000 FanDuel(RW) - $6,400
The Islanders are currently 3rd in the league in goals per game while the Bruins sit 2nd last in goals allowed per game. Great matchup on paper and Okposo should be involved. Only averaging around 15 min a game but attempting over 20 shots a game and averaging close to 4 points per 60 minutes.

Tyler Toffoli - LA Kings vs. CAR
DraftKings - $5,300 FanDuel(RW) - $5,700
He has been on of the Kings most consistent players to start the year. He has 4 goals in his first 6 games and is taking over 14 shot attempts per game. In a great matchup vs. a Carolina team allowing nearly 3 goals a game.

Milan Lucic - LA Kings vs. CAR
DraftKings - $4,400 FanDuel(LW) - $5,400
I would only recommend in GPP format as he has had a very slow start on his new team. He did score his first goal of the season last night and will be low owned across the industry. He makes a nice stacking option with Toffoli and Carter vs a weaker Hurricanes team on the road.

Also Consider - Blake Wheeler - Winnipeg Jets

DEFENSE

Torey Krug - Boston Bruins @ NYI
DraftKings - $5,200 FanDuel - $5,400
Still a nice bargain across the industry and safe in cash with nearly 15 shot attempts per 60 min and is playing close to 4 min on the powerplay. He also has multi point upside needed to win a large field tournament.

John Carlson - Washington Capitals @ EDM
DraftKings - $6,300 FanDuel - $5,500
He is top of the board on DraftKings but 9th most expensive on FanDuel making him a great value play on that site. He is averaging 4.5 FD & 4.9 DK points per game. If you are paying up for a D man he makes the most consistent option.

Also Consider - Andrei Markov - Montreal Canadiens

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