The Wednesday slate will offer some good offensive matchups, most notably with Toronto visiting Washingon, Colorado visiting Pittsburgh, and Carolina visiting San Jose.
Toronto averages around four goals a game, while Washington will have the opportunity to face the backup goalie on the second night of a back-to-back for the Maple Leafs. Colorado and Pittsburgh are ranked second and third in goals per game, averaging 4.4, and 4.2 respectively. The Hurricanes enter their game averaging 3.8 goals a game, while the Sharks have scored eight goals in their last two games since the return of Patrick Marleau.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 10/16/19. The picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @Roto_Nate.
DFS Forwards to Consider
Sidney Crosby - C, PIT vs COL (FD - $8,700, DK - $7,200)
If we know one thing about Sidney Crosby, it is that he knows when he needs to turn up his game and when he can take a step back. When he looks around and sees all the injuries in the Penguins lineup, he knows he has to be the main source of offense, and he has done nothing but deliver. So far this season, he has points in every game, tallying three goals and seven assists. This game has the opportunity to be a track meet, and I see no reason why Crosby can't add a couple of points to his totals.
Andreas Johnsson - W, TOR vs WSH (FD - $4,500, DK - $4,900)
The Washington Capitals are in the top-five in the league for penalty minutes, which could spell trouble when facing one of the league's best powerplays. I will ride the hot hand here as the Maple Leafs' powerplay was clicking on all cylinders last night, with Johnsson chipping in a goal and an assist. Johnsson is the forgotten man on a star-studded Leafs powerplay, and it seems they may start using it to their advantage with some more net-front plays.
Also, Consider:
- The Washington Capitals top two lines are all in play for tonight's game with whichever combination you want. A PP1 stack of Nicklas Backstrom, Alex Ovechkin, and John Carlson is what interests me the most, but you can't go wrong with some of the value options like Tom Wilson or Jakub Vrana. The Leafs will most likely send backup Michael Hutchinson to the crease this game, and his subpar play combined with a spotty defense corp and the second game of a back-to-back makes me want to be all-in on the Capitals in tonight's game.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Cale Makar - D, COL vs PIT (FD - $4,500, DK - $4,600)
Makar has done nothing but prove that his playoff debut last season was not a fluke, coming out of the gate on fire in his rookie season, tallying a point in every game so far for the Avalanche. For some reason, the DFS salaries haven't adjusted for the rookie's totals, making him one of the top value plays on the board. Makar has taken Tyson Barrie's vacated spot on PP1, which makes his salary even more puzzling, as anyone playing that much time with Nathan Mackinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog with a man-advantage should not be that cheap.
Jaccob Slavin - D, CAR vs SJ (FD - $5,000, DK - $5,000)
When looking at the fantasy points per game in the defenseman category, it's easy to see that Dougie Hamilton is the cream of the crop so far this season. However, Slavin has been quietly having a solid start to his season, as well. Slavin has tallied a point in five straight games and will be much cheaper and lower-owned than his teammate Hamilton.
DFS Goalie to Consider
Ben Bishop - G, DAL vs CBJ (FD - $8,500, DK - $7,900)
If you are a fan of offensive hockey, I would probably advise not tuning in to this game. These teams are ranked 29 and 30 in goals per game so far this season, and either goalie could be in play. However, I have no interest in placing a Columbus goaltender in my lineup after what I have seen so far this year, and I would assume that the talented Stars would have to turn it around at some point. I would guess that the Vezina candidate version of Ben Bishop returns in this game against a low-talented Blue Jackets roster.
Also, Consider:
- The Sabres have been solid in the offensive end so far this season, so John Gibson isn't as much of a lock for me as you would think for a goalie with a 1.80 GAA. However, at the other end of the ice, Carter Hutton has been solid himself with a 1.75 GAA this season and will face a Ducks team that is only managing 2.2 goals per game. There is a reason why this game only comes in at a total of 5.5, but I think Hutton will be the reason it stays low rather than the more well known Gibson.
