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Welcome to the daily fantasy hockey picks article for DraftKings, FanDuel, & Draftpot for Wednesday, December 30th, 2015. Small slate tonight with only five games but some great matchups presenting a ton of value. The following teams are playing on back to back nights:
With the smaller slate we may be in a position to stack a few players from the same team even in cash games.
Braden Holtby - Washington Capitals vs. BUF *Probable*
DraftKings - $8,400 FanDuel - $10,800 DraftPot - 7.16 DPPG
If you are paying up for goalie tonight, Holtby is in a great spot. He has won seven of his last eight starts and helped the Capitals to a 9-1 record over their last 10 games. The Caps are riding an eight game win streak and host the Sabres who are ranked 24th in offense. He makes a better GPP play as he takes up over 17% of your salary cap.
Cory Schneider - New Jersey Devils @ OTT *Confirmed*
DraftKings - $7,700 FanDuel - $8,300 DraftPot - 4.52 DPPG
Keith Kinkaid made the start in the first of the Devils back to back games paving way for Cory Schneider on Wednesday night. He comes at an affordable price and a discount from Holtby. He has been better on the road this year averaging close to two fantasy points more. The Senators are also playing on back to back nights but also a third game in four nights. He is safe in all formats on the short slate.
Also Consider - Matthew Murray - Pittsburgh Penguins vs. TOR
Sidney Crosby - Pittsburgh Penguins vs. TOR
DraftKings - $7,000 FanDuel - $8,600 DraftPot - 3.25 DPPG
It was a first half to forget for the Penguins and their superstar Sidney Crosby. They seen their head coach fired and their stars under performing. Crosby only recorded 22 points in the first half but came out of the break strong with 2 points against the Wild. The elite talent has seen his salary drop to new lows making it a great time to jump on board. Crosby has also recorded 49 points in 33 career games vs. the Leafs.
Stack with - Chris Kunitz, Conor Sheary, Evgeni Malkin, Phil Kessel, Patric Hornqvist
Joe Thornton - San Jose Sharks vs. PHI
DraftKings - $4,800 FanDuel - $5,300 DraftPot - 3.48 DPPG
He is my #1 value play for Wednesday night. His salary has started to climb but still very affordable. He is riding a six game point streak and has nine points in his last 10 games. The Sharks face the Flyers who are ranked 20th in goals allowed per game. Thornton makes a safe option for cash games and a great stacking option for GPP's with the Sharks #1 powerplay unit.
Stack with - Joe Pavelski, Patrick Marleau, Brent Burns, Joel Ward
Also Consider - Nicklas Backstrom - Wahsington Capitals vs. BUF
Alex Ovechkin - Washington Capitals vs. BUF
DraftKings - $8,800 FanDuel(LW) - $9,600 DraftPot - 4.90 DPPG
The top option on the wing any night and especially on a short slate. He has picked up 18 goals this year and leads the league in shots with 168 providing a very high floor. His price around the industry remains very fair costing you around 17% of your salary cap. He has a great matchup on Wednesday at home vs. the Sabres.
Stack with - TJ Oshie, Nicklas Backstrom
Nikita Kucherov - Tampa Bay Lightning vs. NYR
DraftKings - $6,100 FanDuel(RW) - $6,900 DraftPot - 4.80 DPPG
He has been red hot lately with 12 points in his last 10 games with 30 shots on goal and four multi point games. He is playing on the top line with Steven Stamkos and is getting over 3:30 on the powerplay per game. The Lightning are at home as favorites vs. the struggling Rangers who are 3-6-1 in their last 10 games.
Stack with - Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, Valterri Filppula
Kyle Palmieri - New Jersey Devils @ OTT
DraftKings - $4,700 FanDuel(RW) - $5,000 DraftPot - 3.68 DPPG
One of the favorite value plays in the projection system over the first half of the season. He comes with a low salary and has recorded 28 points in the Devils first 36 games which is 2nd on the team. The Devils have played much better on the road this year and head to Ottawa on Wednesday to face the Sens. Both teams are playing on back to back nights with the Sens playing a 3rd game in 4 nights. This should be one of the higher scoring games of the night.
Stack with - Mike Cammaleri, Travis Zajac
Also Consider - Jakub Voracek - Philadelphia Flyers @ SJ
Shayne Gostisbehere - Philadelphia Flyers @ SJ
DraftKings - $4,500 FanDuel - $3,800 DraftPot - 2.83 DPPG
A nice low priced punt option on the point that will allow room to roster multiple star forwards tonight. The rookie phenom for the Flyers has picked up 14 points in 19 games and is averaging 15.9 iCorsi/60 which is ranked 60th in league and provides a nice floor for the price.
Matt Niskanen - Washington Capitals vs. BUF
DraftKings - $4,300 FanDuel - $4,700 DraftPot - 1.58 DPPG
Comes at a great value on all sites and allows you to pay up for some elite forwards or goaltender. With Brooks Orpick on IR and John Carlson down with an undisclosed injury, Niskanen's ice time has jumped 3-4 minutes a game providing a ton of extra opportunites.
Also Consider - Erik Karlsson - Ottawa Senators vs. NJ
***All advanced stats in this article are sourced from www. puckalytics.com***
***All goaltender and team line combination information is provided by www.leftwinglock.com***
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