Fantasy Hockey

Daily Fantasy Hockey: DraftKings Value Picks, December 15th

The Fix always has a full breakdown of significant NHL slates for our Front Office subscribers, but now we’re also going to be highlighting a few value plays for everyone on most days with big NHL slates. Below you’ll find three or four players who are cheap and undervalued in today’s DraftKings contests.

If you’d like to read our full breakdown of tonight’s slate, complete with player rankings, you can become a Front Office member or purchase today’s breakdown individually right here.

Paul Byron—Montreal Canadiens–$2500

Patrick Kane is in action tonight against the Avalanche, so if you want to fit him into your lineup, you’re going to need some value plays. The best value play of the night is Paul Byron. Although he’s listed as a C on DraftKings, the former Calgary Flame is playing on the top line with Tomas Plekanec and captain Max Pacioretty. The 26-year-old only has six points (4G, 2A) in 19 games this season, but at minimum price, the risk is minimal and the reward is high. In his last five games, the Ottawa native has two points and has averaged over 15 minutes of ice time per night. If you only do one thing tonight, make it putting Byron into your lineup.

Vladislav Namestnikov—Tampa Bay Lightning–$2800

Vladislav Namestnikov has found himself on the top line with Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov. Not only is the 23-year-old playing with arguably the best player on the team, but he’s seeing top line minutes as well. He played over 18 minutes against Washington on Saturday and over 22 minutes yesterday. The Lightning are taking on the Leafs tonight in Toronto, and Stamkos absolutely LOVES to play the Maple Leafs (31 points in 25 career games against Toronto). Namestnikov is cheap and his upside is extremely high given his matchup. If I haven’t convinced you yet, just remember; Jonathan Bernier is starting tonight and his GAA is 3.28.

Juhar Khaira—Edmonton Oilers–$2600

Don’t look now, but the Edmonton Oilers have won six games in a row and are looking more like a team that wants to make the playoffs. Edmonton is coming off a 3-2 overtime win against the Bruins and are looking to continue their hot streak against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. The last time these two teams met, Edmonton scored seven goals on their way to a 7-5 victory. Paying up for Leon Draisatl and Taylor Hall won’t be a hard decision to make, but there’s still some value to be found beyond the first line. One player that comes to mind is rookie Juhar Khaira. The 21-year-old is playing on the second line with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Joran Eberle and has two assists in his last five games. It’s no secret that the Rangers depth on defense is weak, so that second line will have a ton of time and space to work their magic. Khaira may be an odd play, but if you want to fit those big boys in, he provides the perfect amount of salary relief and upside. Plug him in a hope for a few goals from the second line.

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