NHL

5 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 2/20/20

Ryan Sheppard Feb 20th, 2020
Neal Pionk provides value in a premium matchup. Which other cheap options should you consider tonight?

If you follow the NHL, you already know all of the top players. Obviously, when playing DFS, those 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 Hayes, Center, Philadelphia Flyers

FanDuel Price: $4,900

18 goals and 33 points in 60 games is certainly not what the Philadelphia Flyers were hoping for when they signed Kevin Hayes to a massive contract in the summer. While most figured this contract was inflated, I don't think many expected this much regression from an offensive standpoint.

Still, Hayes is playing on the Flyers' second line with Joel Farabee and Travis Konecny, and the line has been solid. The Flyers visit the Columbus Blue Jackets and the suddenly human Elvis Merzlikins, who is 0-2-3 in his last five starts after back-to-back shutouts.

Bryan Rust, Winger, Pittsburgh Penguins

FanDuel Price: $4,700

We went here on Tuesday, and it paid off swimmingly, with Bryan Rust put up one goal, two assists, two shots on goal and one block as the Pittsburgh Penguins embarrassed the Toronto Maple Leafs. Well, tonight is the second part of a home-and-home where the Penguins now visit the Maple Leafs.

Evgeni Malkin is expected to be back tonight, which obviously is great news for Rust. The Leafs will surely put up a much better effort tonight, but Rust's performance this season has been incredible, and his role on Malkin's wing and the top power-play unit make his price point laughably cheap.

Blake Coleman, Winger, Tampa Bay Lightning

FanDuel Price: $4,500

After being "traded to Colorado," Blake Coleman was actually traded to the Tampa Bay Lightning. He has been very good this season, though the winger is probably older than you think at 28 years old. He's having a career year with 21 goals and 31 points in 57 games, with the goal total being the key here.

The Lightning are expected to play him on the third line with Mitchell Stephens and Yanni Gourde. However, he should be able to get in on the second power-play unit.

Drew Doughty, Defense, Los Angeles Kings

FanDuel Price: $4,700

Drew Doughty is on pace for his worst offensive season in nearly seven years, but he does produce in other aspects to make him an intriguing option. His 6 goals and 28 points in 57 games leave a lot to be desired, but the 119 shots (2.08 per game) and 80 blocks (1.40 per game) certainly help raise his floor.

The Los Angeles Kings are the 2nd-lowest scoring team in the NHL with the 26th-ranked power play, which doesn't really bode well for Doughty tonight. However, they are facing the Florida Panthers, a team that has struggled to keep the puck out of their net this season, as their 3.32 goals against per game are tied for the third-most in the NHL.

Neal Pionk, Defense, Winnipeg Jets

FanDuel Price: $4,800

What a year for Neal Pionk. The Winnipeg Jets defenseman has certainly taken advantage of his first year in Winnipeg after coming over as part of the Jacob Trouba trade. He has managed to put up 39 points along with 137 shots and 65 blocks in 61 games.

Pionk has been the quarterback on the Jets' top power-play unit for a good chunk of the season, having plenty of success in the process. Although the Jets' power play ranks just 20th, they take on an Ottawa Senators team tonight with the 21st-ranked penalty kill -- so there is hope.

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.