FanDuel NHL: Friday Value Plays

In Friday’s matchups, Rob Geriak likes Washington’s Nicklas Backstrom, whom he expects to produce and easily exceed his salary in a soft home matchup.
FanDuel NHL: Friday Value Plays
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Goalie

Anton Forsberg, CHI vs. BUF ($7,800): Forsberg is coming off of a dreadful performance against the Capitals in which he allowed three goals on 10 shots before being pulled. I like this matchup for him a lot more at home against the Sabres who have struggled to score goals consistently of late. The Blackhawks are heavy home favorites showing the Forsberg has a great chance at coming away with a win in this matchup.

Center

Kyle Turris, NSH vs. VGK ($5,400): Since coming over from Ottawa, Turris has solidified a line with Kevin Fiala and Craig Smith, which takes some of the pressure off of the Predators' top line of Ryan Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson and Filip Forsberg. With points in five of his last six games, including one goal and six assists over that span, Turris lines up as a top value play at center on Friday.

Nicklas Backstrom, WSH vs. NYR ($5,700): I was all over Backstrom on Wednesday and he rewarded with a goal and two assists as his line dominated the entire NHL DFS slate. I'm going back to the Capitals counterman against the Rangers, a team who has struggled against center ice men all season. At just $5,700, Backstrom should produce and easily exceed his salary in a soft home matchup.

Wing

Craig Smith, NSH vs. VGK ($4,100): Much like his linemate Turris, Smith is playing well recently at a salary that is very inviting. He has four goals in his last six games and all but one of those tallies have come at home. He sees time on the power play for Nashville, and while Vegas has been a good team at home, they've been susceptible on the road in their inaugural season. While most pay up for Forsberg and Arvidsson from the Predators, consider Smith an easy value play that should have no problem hitting value.

Nick Foligno, CBJ at NJ ($5,300): Foligno has just six goals on the season, but two of those tallies have come in his last three games. Despite his struggles, he's still seeing solid ice time and power play time for the Blue Jackets. While Foligno's production hasn't been as prolific this season as it was last year, he's still a big-bodied forward that gets into the dirty areas and can capitalize against an undersized Devils defense.

Mats Zuccarello, NYR at WSH ($5,500): Zuccarello has been one of the more consistent players for the Rangers over that last couple of seasons, and of late, that trend has been prevalent. He has points in eight of his last 10 games with two goals and nine assists over that span. Zuccarello is seeing time on the top power-play unit and has five goals and 17 assists overall on the season.

Defense

Mattias Ekholm, NSH vs. VGK ($4,700): Even with a slight price jump, Ekholm is a nice value play on the blue line against the visiting Golden Knights. He has three assists in his last two games to go along with three shots on goal and seven blocked shots. With upwards of 25 minutes of ice time per game and two-plus minutes of power play time in four of his last five contests, Ekholm is an offensive threat with a bargain salary in a good matchup on Friday.

Shea Theodore, VGK at NSH ($3,500): Theodore has gone scoreless in each of his last five games but has had opportunities with 14 shots on goal over that span. At just $3,500, he lines up as an offensive defenseman that sees power play time. The Predators have allowed the most fantasy points to opposing defensemen over the last four weeks. Theodore has seen at least 20 minutes of ice time in eight of his last 10 games and presents as a great value option.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Rob Geriak plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: yikettyyack, DraftKings: robgeriak.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Geriak covered hockey for RotoWire. He previously was the DFS Content Director at DraftShot and appeared on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio for Scout Fantasy Sports.
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