3 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 4/7/21
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 is a four-game main slate starting at 7:30 pm EDT. Let's look at some value picks.
Eric Staal, Center, Montreal Canadiens
FanDuel Salary: $3,900
It is great to see Eric Staal have a successful debut in Montreal because he may enjoy a decent run as Montreal's second-line center for better or for worse. He scored the overtime game-winner on Monday night on two shots and two scoring chances. Staal had a spring in his stride that had not been seen for a couple of seasons.
The nightmare that was the Buffalo Sabres is very real. Few fared well on that Buffalo team and Staal was no exception. Is he a real-world point-a-game player anymore? No. Is he a valuable DFS commodity right now? Yes. Finding value against a porous defensive team like the Toronto Maple Leafs is important, especially when one considers that dynamic shot that Staal still possesses.
Jason Spezza ($3,200) is up against that Montreal penalty kill which is still in the bottom-third of the NHL. Also, Ryan Hartman ($3,200) saw some top ice time for Minnesota the past few games and comes off a goal and two-assist night.
Alex Galchenyuk, Wing, Toronto Maple Leafs
FanDuel Salary: $3,600
Alex Galchenyuk is the biggest risk on this slate by a wide margin. He can provide all the offense or zero -- literally. He does have four real-world points in his last eight games but also has a "zero" in two contests as far as DFS points are concerned.
The forward has the potential to play so much better but also disappears for long stretches. On Monday night, he did not have a single scoring chance, but he had three scoring chances on Sunday in 12 minutes and a goal. There lies the frustration along with the risk/reward. It is hard to guess when Galchenyuk will put it together and on which night. He should be motivated to play in Montreal on Wednesday night.
If one wants to plug in safer options, there are a few. Michael Bunting ($3,200) should get at least a few shots on goal on Wednesday for Arizona, and even Corey Perry ($3,100) could provide a boost offensively.
Jake Muzzin, Defenseman, Toronto Maple Leafs
FanDuel Salary: $4,000
Have the DFS fortunes turned a bit for Jake Muzzin?
The last two games have seen the version of Muzzin most in Toronto were expecting. A good floor, with some chances created, and yes, real-world points. He has been constantly around two or three blocked shots a night with two shots on goal. That is great. The assists are a bonus.
Montreal is one of the highest shooting teams at 5 on 5 on this slate. As a matter of fact, they average 33.4 shots per game which is 3rd in the entire NHL. Muzzin figures to see many chances to block more shots on Wednesday. There is some risk but Muzzin looks 100% healthy right now for what feels like the first time in a long time.
Sean Walker ($3,500) is great for Los Angeles because his salary is still at just the DFS minimum for defensemen. He has 12 shots in his previous three games with six scoring chances. Walker also chipped in four blocked shots on Monday night.
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.
