NHL GPP Barn Burner: 10-15-15

Goalies

The Panthers are the biggest favorites tonight, leading me to Roberto Luongo, who has looked great in his two starts this season. While the Sabers have looked better than last season, they still rank towards the bottom of the league in offense. Luongo will be a popular play tonight, but is one of my favorites due to his cheaper price tag. He is especially hard to avoid on DraftKings. Florida has allowed 31.7 shots per game so far this season, leading to a healthy amount of saves from Luongo. He has a safe floor in tonight's matchup, and also carries a very high ceiling.

Top Skaters

Vladimir Tarasenko is off to a great start, and really picking up where he left off last year, where he had 77 points. He has four points in three games, and has yet to be blanked on the stat sheet yet. Tarasenko has the advantage of playing on a talented line, as well as the the top power-play unit. Edmonton was one of the worst power-play killing units last season, and should be once again. The defensive core needs a lot of work in Edmonton, and the Blues should be exploiting that area tonight. Tarasenko is one of the top targets for St. Louis, in an incredibly deep squad. He is worth the price.

If I am paying up for defense tonight, it is Victor Hedman. He has four assists in four games, and commands one of the best offensive teams in the league. Tampa has a 3.5 goal total, which has been common for them this season. He had 33 points last season, and is already off to a hot start. This is also a nice pivot from his teammate Anton Stralman, who is cheaper, with similar positive notes tonight. Hedman also has eight blocked shots on the season, which is among the best in the league.

It has been very slow start for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Evgeni Malkin included. This team is too talented for this to continue, and their prices are excellent on DraftKings. On FanDuel, they are still priced like the players we know they are. Malkin is also overlooked with this teammate Sidney Crosby on the team, and also the other big names on the slate. His ceiling is incredibly high as always, and Ottawa allowed a pedestrian 2.54 goals per game last year.

The Panthers have been a surprise this season, and are an incredibly deep team. They have been lighting the lamp this season, with 3.67 goals per game, and we would expect Jonathan Huberdeau to be on the list each night. That has not been the case, but the first line forward comes at a value price, with potential to outscore any other wingers. The Panthers do not have exciting names, which causes them to be overlooked. Buffalo allowed a 3.28 goals per game last season, with a poor 75% penalty killing percentage. Much like the other night, Florida could be a sleeper team to stack. Huberdeau had 54 points last season, and we are expecting an even better year in 2015.

Value Plays

David Perron (W - PIT) FD: $4,500 DK: $4,400

The Penguins prices have been much cheaper than we are used to. For a guy who plays on the second line, of both the power-play and even strength line, this is a steal. Perron has zero buzz around him, and is one of the overlooked forwards for Pittsburgh. Perron had 41 points last season,

Jared Spurgeon (D - MIN) FD: $3,700 DK: $3,400

If you are looking for a cheap defenseman, Jared Spurgeon is on the top line, and the second power-play unit. He is averaging about 22 minutes per game, with a few minutes on the power-play. The chance for points is there, especially with the skaters around them.

Ondrej Palat (W - TB) FD: $6,000 DK: $4,800

This game is likely to be the highest scoring game on the night, and you should be getting action from both sides. He skates on the first line power-play unit, of one of the best in the league, and Dallas had just an 80% penalty kill rate last season. Palat has 122 points in the last two seasons, and is one of Tampa's prolific playmakers.

Jason Spezza (C - DAL) FD: $6,200 DK: $5,500

Coming off of a hat trick his ownership should be up more than usual, but his price is excellent. Dallas has so much firepower on their top two lines, who are also a little banged up, but Spezza flies on the second line, and pairs with Tyler Seguin and Jaime Benn on the power play. Look for him to continue his hot streak.