Christopher Morais

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

Jonathan Bernier—Toronto Maple Leafs–$6800

 I’m going to buy into the new Jonathan Bernier just for tonight. He’s been really good since his stint in the AHL and is slowly helping the Leafs climb in the standings. Tonight he faces off against the New York Islanders—the same team the Leafs beat Sunday in Brooklyn. Toronto is a better team on home ice, so it gives Bernier an even bigger boost in value. His hot streak will come to an end at some point, but I don’t think it will be tonight. He won’t pitch a shutout, but Bernier and the Leafs will do enough to get the win. At $6800, that’s all you can really ask for.

Nick Shore—Los Angeles Kings–$2600

 I love to target players who are getting a chance to step up and show what they can do. With Jeff Carter unlikely to play tonight, Shore will once again center the second line betweenTanner Pearson and Marian Gaborik. Shore isn’t seeing any power play time, so his upside is limited, but he will see a lot of Edmonton’s second line, which is a huge plus. At near minimum price, Shore has enough value and upside for me to roster him. With so many high priced players to choose from, you’ll need to find some value in order to fit them all in. Shore is my bargain bin play of the night.

Alex Burmistrov—Winnipeg Jets–$2500

 Another player getting a chance to prove himself tonight is Alex Burmistrov. With Mark Scheifele out due to a concussion, Burmistrov has found himself on a line with Adam Lowry and captain Andrew Ladd. The 24-year-old hasn’t done much this season—scoring two goals and adding five assists—but he now gets a chance to play in the top six and show management what he’s capable of. At minimum price, all he needs to do to hit value is tally one point, which isn’t too much to ask for. He’s definitely a risk, but if you need to scrape the bottom of the bargain barrel, Burmistrov is your second-best bet after Shore.