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Welcome to the Daily Fantasy Hockey (NHL DFS) lineup picks article for Wednesday, February 24th of the 2015/2016 NHL season. Each day we'll be providing you with a handful of forward, defensemen, and goaltender picks for DraftKings and FanDuel GPP and cash games.
Only four games make up tonight's card. Braden Holtby is again an obvious choice at goalie on Wednesday, as he's only lost six games on the season thus far. But I've listed a couple of other options that cost less. For updated goalie confirmations, check out leftwinglock.com.
Tonight's lineup features certain players that have contributed to the recent success of the Anaheim Ducks, plenty of value picks, and arguably two of the best players in the game today.
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NHL DFS Picks for Wednesday, February 24th
A couple strategy notes. For cash game construction look for players who can contribute to your score when they are not providing offense. Examples are guys who take a ton of shots, defensemen who block a lot of shots(DraftKings). Also, look for guys who get powerplay time and especially Top 6 forwards. You can find value in players who join a new line due to an injury or just get a promotion and more ice time.
For large field tournaments (GPP's) you want to find payers who have multi point upside and can grab double digit fantasy points. To stack the most upside in your forwards a common strategy is to punt the defense position. This doesn't mean just grab anyone. Try and look for a D man who will be playing more PP time or might get a boost in overall playing time due to an injury.
Let's take a look at some solid plays for today's action.
Frederick Andersen/John Gibson - Goaltender, Ducks (DraftKings - $7,400 FanDuel - $8,300/$7,900)
Both goalies are listed here because neither has been confirmed to start Wednesday's game against the Buffalo Sabres, as of writing this. Whoever gets the nod, both Andersen and Gibson are solid options between the pipes. The Sabres have given up the third most fantasy points to goalies this season, while they score the fourth fewest goals a night in the NHL. Andersen and Gibson are a huge reason why the Ducks are surging, having won five straight games and 12 of their last 14. Both goalies have won seven of their last ten starts and are affordable options for DraftKings and FanDuel.
Martin Jones - Goaltender, Sharks (DraftKings - $7,500 FanDuel - $8,400)
Jones is another inexpensive netminder, who has been as equally hot as the aforementioned Andersen and Gibson. Jones has also won seven of his last 10 starts, and it definitely helps that the Sharks have also elevated their game of late. Jones has posted a shutout and four one-goal games in that span as well. The Sharks visit Colorado where the Avalanche are in the bottom ten of goals allowed per game.
Sidney Crosby - Center, Penguins (DraftKings - $8,100 FanDuel - $9,800)
In nine games without Evgeni Malkin on the ice, Crosby has scored five goals and tallied six assists. Many worried that his production would decline without Malkin, mainly because opposing teams could focus heavier on Sid the Kid. But his production has remained steady, with the exception of three straight games with no points earlier in the month. Even better news for those looking to draft Crosby, Malkin could return on Wednesday. The two seemingly play better when they're both on the ice, splitting the defensive focus. Crosby is the top option at the center position.
Mike Richards - Center, Capitals (DraftKings - $2,600 FanDuel - $3,000)
Richards, the former Flyer whose 283 points in five seasons made him a fan favorite in Philadelphia, is now one of the lowest priced options for hockey Daily Fantasy. The good news is that he scored in his last game against the Arizona Coyotes. The bad news, that was his first goal on the season. Limited to only 15 games played this season, Richards has now been moved up to the third line with Jason Chimera and Tom Wilson in the wake of Marcus Johansson's absence due to illness. Johansson is set to miss Wednesday's game against the Canadiens so we can expect another jump in ice time for Richards. He frees up plenty of cap space for the other bigger names on this list.
Alex Ovechkin - Winger, Capitals (DraftKings - $9,200 FanDuel - $10,900)
Understandably, it's going to be difficult making room for Sid the Kid, and Ovechkin in one lineup, but it's even more difficult not mentioning Ovie's name in DFS conversation. Ovechkin is one of the few players that is capable of posting over 10 fantasy points consistently. He is always a multiple goal and multiple point threat, while he puts the puck on net an insane amount each game. Ovie posted ten shots on goal three times in his last 10, and at least five in eight during that span. He is extremely dangerous on the power play, noteworthy for FanDuel, and should have no trouble producing, in some capacity, against the vulnerable Canadiens.
Tomas Hertl - Winger, Sharks (DraftKings - $5,200 FanDuel - $5,000)
Hertl has scored three goals in his last two games and has tallied five points in five games. Although, Hertl, as a winger, doesn't need to score or assist to produce for Daily Fantasy, specifically for DraftKings. He collects a fair share of blocked shots and shots on goal as well and can really give any lineup a boost when he combines his offense and defense. Hertl is an affordable option and recently posted eight fantasy points in his last contest against the talented St. Louis Blues.
Matt Belesky - Winger, Bruins (DraftKings - $4,400 FanDuel - $5,600)
Belesky has also scored three goals in his last two games, coming off a two goal game against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Belesky is a physical player and has seen a recent jump in ice time, playing around 18 minutes in San Jose's last two. Belesky is already on pace to surpass his career high in points, and needs to tally only two more to do so, through 58 games played. Belesky also puts the puck on net often and sees time on the power play. He should be considered in tournaments on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Sami Vatanen - Defenseman, Ducks (DraftKings - $5,000 FanDuel - $5,000)
Vatanen plays around 20 minutes a game and can contribute to Daily Fantasy lineups in multiple ways. Vatanen is a really solid option for FanDuel users. He has collected seven points in his last 10 games, six of which came via the power play. His price has remained steady and so has his production. Vatanen is also on pace to surpass his career high in points achieved last season and is one of the top, young up-and-coming defenseman in the league.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Defenseman, Sharks (DraftKings - $5,100 FanDuel - $5,200)
Vlasic has gathered nine assists in his last 10 games, consisting of a seven game assist streak from February 2nd to the 16th. Vlasic has posted at least 2.0 fantasy points in his last ten, while posting over three in seven over that span. Vlasic has the ability to round out your lineup with his steady production at an affordable price. He should be used in both DraftKings and FanDuel, and is another player on this list inching towards a career high in points; two shy of that mark.
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