3 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 3/10/21
Spending lower in any daily fantasy lineup is a way to incorporate some diversity into your roster. In NHL DFS, there is typically more value in this strategy but also a good deal more risk. This is especially true on tonight's slate, where there are lots of lower-salaried plays. Plugging in these options will afford you more chances to play some studs, as well.
Wednesday night brings us five games on the schedule. It is time to go bolder!
Adam Henrique, Center, Anaheim Ducks
FanDuel Salary: $4,200
The Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings are both very deficient defensively at times. Let's be honest, while 11 goals combined on Monday night was an aberration, these "Battle Of California" games often feature hitting the over. The chances of seeing six or more goals combined are likely. Combine the pandemic with teams facing each other more often and the recipe is set.
Henrique has real-world points in three consecutive games. The Anaheim center has matched up well against Los Angeles in the past, even from his days with the New Jersey Devils. The key for Henrique is he must play with a vengeance and near the front of the net. Focus is vital, as Henrique has created eight scoring chances in the last three games compared to just one scoring chance a game the first month of the season.
Now, can the center shine against his freeway rivals once more? That is going to be a good question.
Gabriel Vilardi ($3,600) could learn a lesson or two from Henrique but expect better performance out of the Los Angeles center.
Andreas Athanasiou, Wing, Los Angeles Kings
FanDuel Salary: $3,700
The Kings' forward is the epitome of total risk. He is playing 16-17 minutes a night lately and has several games of multiple shots and scoring chances together in the same games. This is progress from a winger who can be quite the enigma. Athanasiou has blinding speed and an above-average shot. Too often, though, he gets caught up in the game and not focused on what he can do.
Now, six of his last seven games have resulted in eight or more FanDuel points, including several double-digit efforts. That includes five games with a real-world point and at least one high-danger chance in each of those starts. Los Angeles has a bevy of younger forwards and so does Anaheim. They just have to take some more opportunities to create.
Marcus Foligno ($3,700) has low-shot risk but higher assist potential for the Minnesota Wild at home versus Vegas.
Nikita Zaitsev, Defenseman, Ottawa Senators
FanDuel Salary: $3,700
Defensively, Nikita Zaitsev is far from accomplished on his side of the ice. In DFS, he does not have to be. Zaitsev just has to block shots, get a shot or three on the net, and maybe tally an assist. Though he has attempted six shots the past two games, just one wound up on goal. However, he has assists in each game and eight blocks.
Value options are more inconsistent than usual tonight (think like Monday night). Looking for safer options with block and shot floors is more prudent than going for the goals or assists.
Nicolas Hague ($3,600) shoots the puck well from the blueline. He had five shots on Monday night versus Minnesota. See the status of Alex Pietrangelo first before rosters lock tonight.
Chris Wassel is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Chris Wassel also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username chriswassel. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.
