3 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 2/26/21

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.

Friday night's slate has just three games on the schedule. Let's rise to the challenge!

Gabriel Vilardi, Center, Los Angeles Kings

FanDuel Salary: $3,400

So, this hurt a lot, but Vilardi did nothing on Wednesday night. Literally, nothing. No shots, no scoring chances, no blocked shots. A bagel.

Defensively, he was solid for the Los Angeles Kings, and the Kings did win again. However, for FanDuel purposes, a little offense would have been nice. The matchup set up well and yet a total milk dud.

Now, the Kings and the Minnesota Wild have featured some entertaining matchups. One of Vilardi's best games this year was the last meeting versus Minnesota. He had four shots on goal, four scoring chances, and an assist.

Elsewhere, J.T. Compher ($4,200) adds some middle-six value on the slate, but the center position is a lean one this Friday night.

Ryan Hartman, Wing, Minnesota Wild

FanDuel Salary: $3,500

The Minnesota Wild middle-six has featured all of the offense as Ryan Hartman jumped up $300 in salary from Wednesday night. He has four straight double-digit FanDuel point performances and five in the previous seven contests.

Hartman is one of those players who will get to the net and often. He needs a facilitator to get him the puck, but sometimes Hartman can create a little on his own. That was a characteristic of his days in Nashville, Philadelphia, etc. It all came down to maintaining his discipline, which was something he did not do often enough. So far this year, he has while increasing his shots and blocking nearly one shot a night.

Los Angeles can be stingy defensively, but in the previous meetings, Hartman and the middle-six, in particular, have been able to create chances at will, and the expectation is that the Minnesota winger will play more than 11 minutes this go-around.

Colin Blackwell ($3,600) is a safe option from the New York Rangers, too.

Jonas Brodin, Defenseman, Minnesota Wild

FanDuel Salary: $3,800

Minnesota's injury and COVID issues -- plus limited games -- mean it is time to plug in Jonas Brodin again.

While options are extremely limited, Brodin did block four shots against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday night with a shot on net and a couple of scoring chances. He missed the net several times, though, which hurt. However, his salary dipping a little does save money, so one can spend on other positions Friday night.

Also from the value bin, one could consider Jordan Oesterle ($3,700), who mostly plays the bottom-pairing for the Arizona Coyotes but can see some occasional power-play time, as well.

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.