FanDuel NHL: Wednesday Targets

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Published on February 5, 2020

SLATE PREVIEW

Only two games on tap with the Maple Leafs paying a visit to the Rangers, who are playing the second game of their four-game homestand and pumped three goals against the stingy Stars in a losing effort Monday.

Both the Bruins and Blackhawks are coming off games the previous night in the second half of their back-to-backs. The Bruins looked good in a relatively easy 4-0 win against the Canucks and the Blackhawks fell short in OT to the Wild.

GOALIES

Jaroslav Halak ($8,500) should be a popular pick against Chicago, though it may not be easy. Halak's play has dipped a little bit over the past month or so, posting a .886 Sv% in January before stopped 25 of 26 shots against Minnesota on Saturday. The Blackhawks offense has also come alive recently, ranked eighth in GF/PG (3.42) since January 1, just slightly ahead of the Bruins (3.31). Projected starter Robin Lehner ($8,100) has been very good this season and was also victorious in their last meeting in a 4-3 win, stopping 37 of 40 shots. The Bruins are the favorites but probably not by as much as you'd think.

Igor Shesterkin ($7,900) is an interesting choice. He's won three of his four starts and looked very good in limited action, but that's the rub – he's only had limited action. The Leafs are going to be a tough opponent with the firepower they have and the Rangers defense leaves a lot to be desired. Shesterkin's saving grace will probably be the Rangers' underrated offense and another mediocre performance from Michael Hutchinson ($7,400), which is very possible for a career backup who doesn't get a lot of reps.

VALUE PLAYS

Filip Chytil ($4,000) has not had a point since Jan. 13 but his play has been trending up recently and skated 18 minutes against the Stars. With only four teams in action there won't be much to pick from and Chytil's line may be able to get on the scoresheet against the porous Leafs defense. Kaapo Kakko ($3,700) may finally be worth the gamble, too.

Alex Kerfoot ($3,800) has an interesting value proposition as John Tavares' left winger. Jason Spezza's ($3,300) ice time remains limited but Sheldon Keefe has been willing to turn him loose and use him in offensive situations. He can be boom-or-bust because he doesn't shoot the puck very much.

Kirby Dach ($3,500) is on a four-game point streak as Patrick Kane's center and arguably the best value play in this group, especially with PT on the top PP unit. Drake Caggiula ($3,600) is on the top line with Jonathan Toews but his offensive ceiling isn't as high, though he does get playing time on the power play.

FORWARD LINE STACKS

BOS Boston Bruins (TOTAL: $23,900)

C – Patrice Bergeron ($7,700)
W – David Pastrnak ($8,700)
W – Brad Marchand ($7,500)

They were buzzing against Vancouver with Marchand scoring a goal and Pastrnak registering seven shots. Expensive, but also worthwhile.

CHI Chicago Blackhawks (TOTAL: $16,300)

C – Kirby Dach ($3,500)
W – Patrick Kane ($8,200)
W – Brandon Saad ($4,600)

Saad is a little expensive with what he brings to the table, but over the past five games he's been very good with three goals and 15 shots on goal. Dach is a strong value play on his own and Kane remains one of the league's best wingers and available at a reasonable price.

TOR Toronto Maple Leafs (TOTAL: $18,000)

C – John Tavares ($7,200)
W – Alex Kerfoot ($3,800)
W – William Nylander ($7,000)

The cost is pretty reasonable with Nylander having a career season. The Rangers defense isn't deep enough to handle all of the Leafs' forwards. Auston Matthews' line usually draws Jacob Trouba, so that makes things easier for Tavares' line.

DEFENSEMEN

Chicago's PK has been very good over the past month so I would probably shy away from Torey Krug ($5,900). The PP QB's I'd go for are Tyson Barrie ($5,500) and Anthony DeAngelo ($4,900), and to a lesser extent Adam Fox ($3,900) and Rasmus Sandin ($3,700). Adam Boqvist ($3,500) is another option as the Hawks' top PP QB and probably a better value play than Fox or Sandin, given his role and the players around him.

Jacob Trouba ($5,300) remains a high-floor defenseman because he does everything and the same goes for Duncan Keith ($4,800).

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.