Daily Fantasy Hockey Picks for FanDuel and DraftKings 11/5/19

Welcome back hockey fans. We have a very busy Tuesday ahead of us with 11 games on the schedule so let's jump right in and look at some core plays at each position.

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GOALIE

Semyon Varlamov FD - $8300 DK - $8400
Opponent - OTT
Proj Pts FD - 20.47 DK - 15.09
Thomas Greiss FD - $8100 DK - $8400
Opponent - OTT
Proj Pts FD - 16.89 DK - 13.19

The Islanders are in a great spot tonight as -260 home favorites facing a Senators team that is playing on a back to back and third game in four nights, all on the road. On top of that, the Sens rank 25th on offense scoring just 2.6 goals per game and have been even worse on the road scoring just 2.0 goals per game. The Isles have a true committee between the pipes and whichever one is starting is right at the top of my list. Varlamov comes in with five straight wins while stopping 143 of 151 shots(.947 save %) while Greiss has won four straight while saving 118 of 126 shots(.937 save %). Stay tuned for the confirmed starter during the day but it really doesn't matter as they are the same price and both great plays in all formats.
John Gibson FD - $8200 DK - $8300
Opponent - MIN
Proj Pts FD - 19.56 DK - 14.68

The goalie position is loaded tonight and John Gibson is another one that pops off the page checking almost every single box. It starts with Anaheim sitting as -150 home favorites in a very favorable matchup against the Wild who rank 29th in offense(2.4 goals per game) and like the Sens, they have been much worse on the road scoring just 1.6 goals per game which ranks dead last. Gibson has been much more of a roller coaster this season allowing four or more goals four times but has also held opponents to two or fewer in eight starts for an overall .926 save % which is just outside the Top 10. And if we are talking high floors, he has also seen 40+ shots against in three straight. I do lean the Isles goalies in cash but Gibson is most definitely in play in all formats as well.

Also Consider: David Rittich(CGY)

CENTERS

Nathan MacKinnon FD - $8800 DK - $7800
Opponent - DAL
Proj Pts FD - 20.12 DK - 15.68

We have a huge slate and a ton of viable options and if paying up, it's Nathan MacKinnon at the top of my list tonight. It starts with the elite floor he provides skating over 21.5 minutes per game while also averaging a ridiculous 4.6 shots per game backed up a 21.96 iCorsi/60 which is sixth among all players. Not only is he a great play in cash games but he also has a ton of upside as he enters tonight with 12 points in his last 10 games and now has 18 on the season(9th most). The matchup against a Top 10 defense is not ideal but I am willing to overlook it with MacKinnon who is practically matchup-proof right now.

Stack with: Matt Nieto, Joonas Donskoi
Jack Hughes FD - $5000 DK - $4700
Opponent - WPG
Proj Pts FD - 10.44 DK - 8.02

If you are looking to go the cheap route with one of your centers, first overall draft pick Jack Hughes is trending in a big way for the Devils. First of all, he gets a ton of opportunity centering the top line and powerplay unit alongside Taylor Hall and Kyle Palmieri and after six games being held off the scoresheet to start his career he now has points in five of his last six. He now gets a plus matchup against a Jets team that lacks depth on the back end and have allowed 3.3 goals against per game on the season. The price is rising but is still too low for the talent and opportunity making Hughes a great value play in all formats.

Stack with: Taylor Hall, Kyle Palmieri

Also Consider: William Karlsson(VGK)

WINGERS

Max Pacioretty FD - $7100 DK - $6500
Opponent - CBJ
Proj Pts FD - 16.62 DK - 13.14

There is no shortage of wingers at the top of the salary but I will start in the second tier with Max Pacioretty. He is one player I feel is a buy-low based on the value he provides starting with the shot volume as he has 42 shots over his last 10 games and 60 on the season(four per game). He offense usually comes in streaks and he is in one right now with points in three straight and eight over his last 10 games. Finally, he and the Golden Knights get a plus matchup against the Blue Jackets who have lost four straight and have given up three or more goals in eight straight. Fire up Pacioretty in all formats.

Stack with: Mark Stone, Paul Stastny
Anthony Duclair FD - $3900 DK - $4900
Opponent - NYI
Proj Pts FD - 13.38 DK - 10.58

I wrote up Duclair on Monday and will be going back to the well again on tonight as the PTS/$ value is tremendous, especially on FanDuel. The shot volume and high floor is what stands out the most as he has tallied 35 shots over his last 10 games and is averaging 12.4 shots and 20.1 shot attempts per 60 on the season. He also comes in red-hot with points in five straight and at these prices, given his status on the top line and powerplay unit, he is in play in all formats.

Stack with: Brady Tkachuk

Also Consider: Andreas Johnsson/William Nylander(TOR)

DEFENSEMEN

Alexander Edler FD - $5500 DK - $6300
Opponent - STL
Proj Pts FD - 17.75 DK - 14.01

Edler sits right at the top of raw points projections on both sites tonight and with a second-tier price the PTS/$ is also right near the top, especially on FanDuel where he remains in the mid $5K range. He provides everything we are looking for from a high priced D-man as averages over 25 minutes of ice-time, is second to only Jacob Trouba with an elite average of 5.1 combined blocks/shots per game and he has also chipped in 10 points(3 on the PP) in 14 games this season. He is my top D man in all formats.

Jake Gardiner FD - $4200 DK - $3500
Opponent - PHI
Proj Pts FD - 7.55 DK - 5.82

Safety is a not a word I throw around with Jake Gardiner who averages under 18 minutes of ice-time and has just 16 shots and 14 blocks on the season. What he does provide, however, is GPP upside skating with the top powerplay and he also enters tonight with points in three of his last four games. His best value comes on DraftKings where the price remains in the mid $3K range.

Also Consider: Ryan Pulock/Adam Pelech(NYI) as cash plays or Josh Morrisey(WPG) in all formats especially on FanDuel in the mid 4K range

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