NHL

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Hockey Helper for 2/2/21

We've got a pretty fun eight game slate tonight on DraftKings, so let's take a look at some high-salary studs, some values and a goalie that we can use as core pieces to build lineups around tonight.

High Salary Skaters

Connor McDavid ($9,000): I'm not sure I've seen a player hit $9,000 on DraftKings in NHL, but it's tough to say McDavid isn't worthy of that salary. He's averaging two real-world points per game through 11 contests this season, and he exploded in two games over the weekend, hitting the three-point bonus in both. Overall, he has five straight games with multiple points. That's not to mention that he also is tied for the lead in shots on goal, as well. Now is not the time to hop off the McDavid train, as the Edmonton Oilers face the same Ottawa Senators that he destroyed for five points on Sunday. The Senators allow the most goals per game in the league, which is why the Oilers implied team total is all the way up to 3.82. McDavid will take up a high percentage of your salary cap, but he could break the slate again like he did on Sunday. Fade him at your peril.

Sebastian Aho ($6,400): Aho and the Carolina Hurricanes have played just six games due to games being postponed because of COVID, but they've been impressive in those games. They are 5-1-0 and have generated the second most shot attempts per game, according to Natural Stat Trick. Aho hasn't set the world on fire yet but does still have six points in six games. His last three games have come against the two teams that were in the Stanley Cup Finals last season, and he gets a much easier matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks. Aho scored 38 goals last year, more than McDavid, Nathan MacKinnon and Jack Eichel, so this salary is way too low for someone who produced at that level.

Value Skaters

Jack Roslovic ($3,000): Roslovic has played three games for the Columbus Blue Jackets and picked up his first point on Sunday with an assist. The lines seemed to have been reconfigured, and Roslovic is now playing with Boone Jenner and Oliver Bjorkstrand at even strength and on the power play. Getting that role for just $3,000 is really good value, as Roslovic is a talented player who didn't get a solid role with the Winnipeg Jets and now can establish himself with his new team. He should be able to set up Bjorkstrand, who is an underrated sniper in the league. If he just gets one assist, he's essentially come good at this salary.

Adrian Kempe ($3,600): Kempe has had a fairly good start to the season, totaling five points in eight games. He also has 22 shots in those eight games, so he's averaging nearly three shots per outing. He's playing on the Los Angeles Kings' top line and top power-play unit. All of this would normally suggest a player would carry a higher salary than $3,600, but that's not the case here. Against an Anaheim Ducks team that allows the most high danger chances and the most shot attempts per 60 minutes, Kempe should have the opportunity to pick up a few points in this game. He's unlikely to gain much attention from the fantasy community, but he definitely makes sense as a value play tonight.

Goalie to Target

Kaapo Kahkonen ($6,900): With a position that sees as much variance as goalie does, you want to find some angle that you know is bringing value. That angle tonight for Kahkonen is that he will face the Colorado Avalanche without their star player, Nathan MacKinnon. The Avs certainly have other talented players, but MacKinnon is the straw that stirs the drink. The Minnesota Wild have played their typically strong defensive game, as they've allowed the second fewest high danger chances and seventh fewest expected goals in the league. For a goalie on a really stout defensive team, Kahkonen is worth taking a shot on at this low salary.


Nicholas Vazquez is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Nicholas Vazquez also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username hbyanksman. 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.