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.
Monday night grants us three games in all, and values do exist. Let's get to work!
Chris Tierney, Center, Ottawa Senators
FanDuel Salary: $4,100
The Chicago Blackhawks are a tire fire defensively. They're allowing over four goals a game, and Marc-Andre Fleury has posted -5.93 goals saved above expectation this season -- the second-worst mark in the league.
Ottawa is capable of scoring some goals tonight as a result, and Chris Tierney has four on the young season. He's added 20 scoring chances coming in his last six games.
Tierney has only been playing around 15 minutes a night over the last four games as well. With continued good performance, he could find more time against the Blackhawks.
Ottawa has other low-salaried players to stack with Tierney as well. Tyler Ennis plays on the same line and power-play unit as the best example.
Philipp Kurashev, Wing, Chicago Blackhawks
FanDuel Salary: $3,500
The minutes on the surface here scream high-risk play, but Philipp Kurashev has played 15 or more minutes now in consecutive games. With Chicago still winless on the season, his speed and their desperation seem to have created a match of sorts.
The forward has generated six scoring chances in these two games. His shots on goal can be erratic, but he did have five last week against the Toronto Maple Leafs in just under ten minutes of ice time. He's vaulted up to Chicago's top line, and he also is on their second power-play unit. He makes for a solid value one-off with no stacking partners in that same role.
Chicago is averaging just 1.89 goals per game on the season, but they have an expected goals-for of 2.65. They are bad but due for regression soon.
Evan Bouchard, Defensemen, Edmonton Oilers
FanDuel Salary: $4,000
This value option is one that probably still should not be there. Evan Bouchard is averaging over 13 FanDuel points a night, but his salary has stabilized around this $4,000 plateau.
The Oilers usually possess very little in terms of value options, so be thankful. Edmonton has a slate-high projected goal total at 3.87 on Monday, and Bouchard should be able to get some shots on goal. His floor has been some combination of at least five shots and blocked shots combined thus far, and he doesn't need to score a real-life point to pay off.
Bouchard's versatility to play in any situation gives him an advantage on this night -- especially against expansion Seattle. The Kraken have allowed 22 goals (tied for fourth-most in hockey) this season.
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.