Yesterday our FanDuel lineup scored 41.10 points as we went 3-0 in our head-to-heads. The one 50/50 I entered actually never filled up and the contest was cancelled. It’s a good lesson—make sure your 50/50′s are close to being filled before entering a lineup or all of your research could go down the drain.
Beau Bennett as our value pick paid off with 7.1 fantasy points. The two Bruins players I took (Dougie Hamilton, Brad Marchand) only scored a combined 0.8 fantasy points and hurt our chances for a truly big day. But we forgive and forget and move on to a new round of picks.
The picks below are for FanDuel’s late games only.
LW: Bryan Bickell $4,700—Bicknell is on Chicago’s second line for now. That’s something that won’t last. Use him at $4,700 while he’s getting time with Chicago’s top six.
Buffalo Sabres center Cody Hodgson (19) is congratulated by left wing Thomas Vanek (26) after he scored a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the first period at Tampa Times Forum. Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
LW: Thomas Vanek $7,900—Vanek has a goal and one assist in his past two games. I like his matchup against Philly tonight.
RW: Beau Bennett $3,400—I feel like I’m going to the well one too many times now with Bennett. Still, it’s just too difficult to pass on his potential value.
RW: Jakub Voracek $7,700—Voracek has four goals in his last five games. Boston kept him in check yesterday and he didn’t even record a shot. I think he bounces back tonight against Buffalo.
C: Sidney Crosby $9,900
C: Cody Hodgson $5,600—This pick is making me sweat a little. I like Hodgson’s matchup today but Matt Duchene would also fit here. Duchene looks like he’s starting to heat up and is still only $6,100. Duchene has five points in his last two games. I leave this choice in your hands.
D: Paul Martin $4,800—Martin had a goal and one assist against Toronto last night. He has 17 points in 23 games.
D: Ryan Suter $5,000—Suter has a seven game point streak. His plus/minus scares me a little but it’s difficult to find a defenseman who gets points with such consistency.
G: Matthew Hackett $5,300—Hackett is the probable goaltender tonight for Minnesota. Make sure you check on his status before the games start. Update: As of 4:06 PM Hackett still isn’t the confirmed starter. But this tweet (thanks to leftwinglock.com) makes it seem Hackett will start. Update Two: Hackett is now ruled out. He was probable most of the day but Minnesota announced Backstrom would get the start.
