4 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 4/8/21

Rostering low-salary players in any daily fantasy lineup is a way to incorporate some diversity into your roster. In NHL DFS, there is typically more value in this strategy but also a good deal more risk. This is especially true on tonight's slate, as there are a lot of lower-salaried options.

Thursday night delivers us a robust 10-game slate. Let's look at some value picks.

Kirby Dach, Center, Chicago Blackhawks

FanDuel Salary: $3,700

Kirby Dach is playing with Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat again, and not surprisingly, the results have been excellent. Though Dach had only one shot on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, that shot found its way into the net. The line created havoc all night and was the main reason Chicago won on Tuesday -- accounting for three of their four goals.

Dach will have more chances on Thursday as he has played 19-plus minutes in consecutive games and barely looked tired. Furthermore, he has six scoring chances in the last two outings. Only a weird bounce kept the center from having an assist Tuesday in addition to his goal. Dach also has a full power-play correlation, which will be helpful now and going forward.

Another center at a solid salary is Josh Norris ($4,000). Quietly the Ottawa Senators center has two games of 15-plus FanDuel points, and the Edmonton Oilers allow three-plus goals per game on the road.

Andrew Copp, Wing, Winnipeg Jets

FanDuel Salary: $3,900

Andrew Copp plays an excellent middle-six role for the Winnipeg Jets, and he produces more like a top-six forward. It is part of why his salary has remained between $3,600 and $4,100 all season long on FanDuel.

It is his versatility and how he produces in all situations -- even strength, power play, and even short-handed. That is key. Copp has enjoyed a sustained run of success lately with five real-world points in his last five games. He's done it while averaging 18-plus minutes of ice time per night.

Please keep in mind that many value options exist on this 10-game slate. Colin Blackwell ($3,700) of the New York Rangers is in the midst of a nice run. Miles Wood ($3,700) has three goals in his last four games versus the Buffalo Sabres. Check the status of Luke Kunin before Nashville's meeting with Detroit.

Brandon Montour, Defenseman, Buffalo Sabres

FanDuel Salary: $3,900

This is a high-risk choice on Thursday night, but Brandon Montour has enjoyed success against the New Jersey Devils. The Devils still have the worst penalty kill in the league (72.6%) and are now without Kyle Palmieri and Travis Zajac. Zajac and Palmieri were traded Wednesday night to the New York Islanders.

Montour has been shooting the puck more and averaging two scoring chances a night over his last five games. He has four goals in that span along with a post and crossbar hit versus New Jersey on Tuesday.

There is one thing to be mindful of -- Montour could be a trade target, so make sure he plays. Players are sometimes protected this time of year for trade purposes. Taylor Hall has been a healthy scratch lately, for example.

Shayne Gostisbehere is another risk-reward option on the slate as he's up against the Islanders. Mackenzie Weegar ($4,100) may be a safer option from the Florida Panthers.

Linus Ullmark, Goalie, Buffalo Sabres

FanDuel Salary: $6,700

Buffalo is projected to start Linus Ullmark in net on Thursday night against New Jersey, a team that just lost the core of their leadership. Ullmark has gone 3-1-1 in his last five starts while facing 30-plus shots in every game. He has won three consecutive games -- allowing just six goals in that span.

The goalie has been one bright spot in a sea of darkness for the Sabres. His 2.44 goals against average and .917 save percentage are a surprise to many. Ullmark is 4-0-1 against New Jersey this season.

Ullmark probably won't be rostered in too many lineups, and Jonathan Bernier is projected to start for the Detroit Red Wings tonight.

With several last-minute goalie confirmations expected, tread lightly on Thursday night. Kevin Lankinen ($7,300) could be a target from the Chicago Blackhawks against the Dallas Stars.

Chris Wassel is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Chris Wassel also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username chriswassel. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.