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.
With a mind-blowing 13 games on Tuesday night, there should be lots of.value on the board tonight.
Oskar Sundqvist, Center, Detroit Red Wings
FanDuel Salary: $3,300
The Detroit Red Wings are far from the greatest defensively, but they have some pretty good middle-six players.
Oskar Sundqvist is one of them and has four goals and three assists in 16 games since being moved from the St. Louis Blues.
Furthermore, Sundqvist has two goals and an assist in his last five games, aided by four blocked shots and five shots on goal. His shot output will always be a risk, but it is Toronto's defense on the other side, and one gets the feeling goals could be had.
This could be one of those optimal plays given his role, and he lets one spend up to some of those big stud players on Tuesday night.
Ivan Barbashev, Wing, St. Louis Blues
FanDuel Salary: $4,100
Thanks to the Colorado Avalanche's struggles of late, Ivan Barbashev becomes a bit of a value on Tuesday.
He may not be the most obvious choice, but the breakout talent from St. Louis has just hit the 60 real-world point plateau for the first time in his career. That includes two goals and two assists in his previous two games.
Barbashev is one of those speedy forwards who can create off the rush. Watch the low floor (just five shots in five games), but he does have six scoring chances and four shots on goal in his previous two contests.
Barbashev will be skipped most anywhere because of the plentiful options. For that alone, he may just be worth a second look.
Alex Formenton, Wing, Ottawa Senators
FanDuel Salary: $4,000
The value in Alex Formenton is all about that goal potential on Tuesday night.
The New Jersey Devils keep stubbornly trotting out Jon Gillies and Andrew Hammond; that alone should be a fireable offense.
Formenton's value lies in the fact that he has 3 goals, 10 shots on goal, and 12 scoring chances in his last three games alone. New Jersey allows more than 3.6 goals per game since February 1st.
The Ottawa Senators at home on Tuesday night may be one of the more underrated teams to spotlight. Most may not even scroll that far down with so many options on this gigantic 13-game schedule.
Kris Russell, Defenseman, Edmonton Oilers
FanDuel Salary: $3,800
One of the crazier games of the night might just be the nationally televised game on ESPN between the Edmonton Oilers and Pittsburgh Penguins.
As Kris Russell is not someone looks at typically for offense, keep in mind Russell also barely plays 14 minutes a night. Both of those aren't ideal.
Yet, the Oilers' defenseman has a chance to hit double-digit FanDuel points against one of those teams that attempts a lot of shots. Russell can easily pile up four or five blocked shots even in a limited time.
Expect Russell to be utilized maybe 14-15 minutes or so on the road. With a salary of just $3,800, he allows for some flexibility in other spots.
James Reimer, Goalie, San Jose Sharks
FanDuel Salary: $6,900
So, the "Battle Of California" features the Anaheim Ducks versus the San Jose Sharks. It appears that James Reimer has been listed as the projected starter.
The San Jose goaltender comes off a clutch performance where he kept the Sharks in the game long enough on Sunday against the Vegas Golden Knights. He stopped 42 of 46 shots as the Sharks rallied twice from two goals down. Then, he stoned Vegas several times in overtime to lead the way to a huge win.
Yes, Reimer does have five quality starts in his previous seven starts. That is worth something. Also, if Kaapo Kahkonen were to somehow get the nod, these two goalies are at the same salary.
Most still will look at Anton Forsberg ($7,100), but that may have too many eyes considering he's still on a volatile Ottawa squad.
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.