NHL GPP Barn Burner: 10-17-15

Goalies

There are a few obvious choices in net tonight, and Braden Holtby is one of them. His ownership should be fairly average, due to Carey Price, Ben Bishop, and Corey Crawford having favorable matchups as well. Carolina is coming off the back-to-back, where they traveled last night. I can't see them putting up a strong effort against Washington today, and Vegas shows that. The Caps are a heavy favorite, and Holtby is one of the top goalies in the league. He had a 2.22 goals against average last season, and posted the same save percentage as Pekka Rinne. (.923) He is high priced, but a safe play in all formats tonight.

Top Skaters

Steven Stamkos showed why he is one of the top options in daily fantasy hockey last game, with two goals, and an assist. He has four goals in five games, and is underpriced on DraftKings. Buffalo has allowed three goals a game this season, looking like once again one of the weaker defenses in the eastern conference. Coming off a 72 point season, Stamkos is one of the top options on each slate. He has the upside to make it impossible to fade him if you want to win a tournament. Buffalo also has just a 63% penalty kill on the young season.

San Jose is averaging 3.25 goals per game this season, and Patrick Marleau has four points in four games. He plays solid power play line, against an average defense tonight. His price makes him an attractive mid-priced play, who has plenty of upside. Even with the Sharks on the second night of a back-to-back, this game should be high scoring on both sides. Marleau is averaging 17.20 DK points per 60, which is a cool statistic, per Sporting Charts.

The Bruins are not the defensive powerhouse they have been known for in the past, and it has shown early. They have allowed the second most goals this season, and have looked shaky on the power play. The Coyotes have been very impressive on the young season, especially with their younger players. Oliver Ekman-Larsson is a great GPP pivot from the other defenders. He logs a ton of ice time, and commands the power play line. He had 23 goals, and 20 assists last year, and is capable of having big multi-point nights. It is also encouraging to see him shoot the puck on net five times a game.

Jason Spezza is on an absolute tear, and his price has yet to catch up. I am taking advantage of that tonight, and I love that he plays with Jaime Benn and Tyler Seguin on the power play line. Dallas is tied for the lead in goals for this season, which is no surprise with the talent they have. Spezza is averaging 0.343 DK points per minute, which is another cool stat provided by Sporting Charts. He has four goals and an assist in the last two games. There should be no avoiding Dallas right now, and I highly recommend a Dallas stack in tournaments tonight.

Value Plays

Kari Lehtonen (G - DAL) FD: $8,000 DK: $6,500

If you are looking for a true tournament goalie with some upside, and relieves salary a tad, Kari Lehtonen is your guy. For one, he should be backed by plenty of goals, so if he allows two or so, he still has a chance for a win. He is very cheap on DraftKings, and really allows you to spend as you please. Vegas has this game as even, so most people should be off Lehtonen. He is a risky play, but when he is locked in, he carries a ton of upside.

Justin Schultz (D - EDM) FD: $4,000 DK: $3,500

Justin Schultz is a great play on DK tonight, while I would not recommend him on FanDuel with Edmonton's poor defense. Schultz logs a ton of ice time, and is on the power play unit with all those offensive weapons. He definitely has a chance to grab a point each night out, and at $3,500 he provides some salary relief. I like Calgary-Edmonton to be a high scoring game on both sides.

Anders Lee (C/W - NYI) FD: $5,600 DK: $4,700

For a top line winger, Anders Lee is priced moderately cheap. The Islanders were one of the top scoring teams in the league this season, with just a shade under three goals per game. Lee plays with one of the best in the game, Jonathan Tavares, and will grab a ton of points because of him. Take advantage of the cheap price tag tonight.

Artemi Panarin (W - CHI) FD: $3,100 DK: $4,400

This second line winger is playing with Patrick Kane, and also on the second power play unit. He is a great salary relief play, who has been producing with five points in five games. Chicago takes on Columbus tonight, and it should very goal friendly for the Hawks.