3 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on Thursday 5/20/21
Spending lower 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, where there are lots of lower-salaried plays. Plugging in these options will afford you more chances to play some studs, as well.
Thursday night brings us four more playoff games. So, what values are out there for the taking?
Ryan Hartman, Center, Minnesota Wild
FanDuel Salary: $3,700
Ryan Hartman has played pretty well against the Vegas Golden Knights so far but has little to show for it on the scoreboard.
He had five scoring chances in all and nine shots on goal with a blocked shot in two games so far. Hartman has played over 16 minutes a night and keeps seeing increased opportunities. The center has a nose for the net, and typically, like a Chandler Stephenson, good things happen in the playoffs near the opposing goalie.
A low-salary play may just be Casey Cizikas ($3,100). Strange things happen at home for the New York Islanders and his floor has been decent against Pittsburgh.
Josh Anderson, Wing, Montreal Canadiens
FanDuel Salary: $4,300
This player has an interesting playoff track record. Ask Tampa Bay Lightning fans what they think of Josh Anderson and it will be filled with expletives. However, he produced several goals in that series two years ago and helped lead an upset against the Bolts. Anderson is risky but had four scoring chances and four shots on goal last week against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
There is this different sort of mindset when it comes to the playoffs. Even though Anderson plays in the middle-six, expect him to be a net-front presence on the Montreal Canadiens man advantage. That might pay some dividends, especially if Brendan Gallagher plays well.
The Maple Leafs allowed 31 shots per 60 over their final 10 games as their defense was not quite as stout as it would appear. Anderson is capable of at least three shots on goal in Game 1 tonight.
One can actually go a bit safer tonight and look at Oliver Wahlstrom of the Islanders for just $3,600 or even Jordan Greenway ($4,000) from the Minnesota Wild.
Scott Mayfield, Defenseman, New York Islanders
FanDuel Salary: $3,900
Scott Mayfield is what we call taking one more giant swing at it. He has come up in salary because of two great games in these playoffs. He has 10 shots on goal, 8 blocked shots, and 1 assist in two games against the Pittsburgh Penguins. He is getting the shots on net everyone thought Ryan Pulock would.
It has been a goofy week to start the NHL postseason but if Mayfield is going to keep getting three and four scoring chances a game on the road, who says he cannot do this at home? Give the defender credit as he is jumping into the play more than he ever did during the regular season.
Keep an eye on Ryan Suter at just $3,700. He has double-digit FanDuel points in two of his last three games for Minnesota.
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.
