Daily Fantasy Hockey: DraftKings Value Picks, December 8th
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.
Valeri Nichushkin—Dallas Stars–$3400
If you play daily fantasy often enough, you’ll realize that making tough decisions is a daily struggle. You’ll have to make those tough decisions again today, but Valeri Nichushkin is not one of them. The 20-year-old is expected to skate on the top line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, which is a good thing. He only has nine points (3G, 6A) in 25 games so far this season, but he’s managed to record a point in three of his last five games. Dallas will be hosting the Hurricanes—a team that has the worst team save percentage in the league. Dallas should be able to fill the net in this contest and hopefully Nichushkin can take advantage of that.
Joonas Donskoi—San Jose Sharks–$2900
The San Jose Sharks will travel to Calgary tonight to take on the Flames in what should be a high scoring affair. The Flames are a terrible puck possession team (49%, 22nd at home) and have the worst GA/60 at home (3.14). San Jose’s second line has a ton of value in this game, including Joonas Donskoi. The rookie saw some time on the top line earlier this year, but his production just hasn’t been there so far this season. At $2900, I’ll take the risk and hope that Donskoi picks up at least one point to hit his value. Considering how bad Calgary is, that isn’t asking too much.
P.A Parenteau—Toronto Maple Leafs–$3500
This play is completely off the board, but before you call me crazy, let’s get some facts in. Toronto is actually a decent team, puck-possession wise, when they play at home (14th, 50.8 %) and average close to 30 shots per game. The problem is those shots haven’t translated into goals as the Leafs sit 28th in GF/60 at home. Teams that average a lot of shots have a better chance of scoring goals (duh), making P.A Parenteau a cheap, high upside play for tonight. He’s expected to play on the top line with Tyler Bozak and James Van Riemsdyk, so his chances to pick up points is there. Parenteau found the back of the net in his last game and hopefully can find it again tonight.