If you follow the NHL, you already know all of the top players. Obviously, when playing DFS, these players will come at a high cost. In this article, we are looking to find the cheaper value plays to help you afford the superstars.
Kevin Labanc, Winger, San Jose Sharks
FanDuel Price: $4,600
The second line for the San Jose Sharks is incredible. It has Kevin Labanc playing with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane. While the Sharks are on the tail-end of a back-to-back, they're taking on a Toronto Maple Leafs that is giving up the sixth-most goals against per game and the sixth-most shots against per game.
The Sharks playing on the back-to-back is always a bit worrisome, but this entire line remains intact on the top power play unit so the upside for Labanc is incredible. He's off to a slow start to the season, but being on the 8th-best power-play taking on the 20th ranked penalty kill could help him boost his upside.
Mike Green, Defense, Detroit Red Wings
FanDuel Price: $3,700
This price for Mike Green is far too cheap and he is by far the highest point-per-dollar play, among defensemen, according to our projections. The Detroit Red Wings have changed things up and Green is now playing on what should be considered the top power-play unit as Dylan Larkin is on it.
Green has struggled mightily this season with just 1 goal and 0 assists in 10 games this season. His shot-rate is also down this season as he is not even averaging two shots per game. I expect these things to turn around a bit but Green is just not the player he used to be at age 34. Either way, his role on this team compared to his price tag is tough to ignore.
Thomas Greiss, Goaltender, New York Islanders
FanDuel Price: $7,700
Thomas Greiss was absolutely incredible last season when he shared the net with Robin Lehner for the New York Islanders. He put up a .927 save percentage (SV%) and a 2.28 goals-against average (GAA) in 43 games. To start 2019, he splits the net with Semyon Varlamov and in the early part of the season — five games for Greiss — he has put up a .930 SV% and a 2.21 GAA. Just phenomenal numbers.
In addition, Greiss is the highest point-per-dollar play, among goaltenders, according to our projections. He is also projected to score the most fantasy points among goaltenders, but is priced at the fourth-highest salary. While $7,700 isn't necessarily cheap, he rates out as the best goaltending option on the slate as the Islanders visit the Ottawa Senators.
Ryan Sheppard is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Ryan Sheppard also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username donkshow_. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in his articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.