3 NHL FanDuel Values to Target on 2/23/21
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.
Tuesday night has six games on the schedule. Let's look at some of those values!
Pavel Zacha, Center, New Jersey Devils
FanDuel Salary: $3,800
Center is a position full of value tonight. Here is one pick who may surprise some -- Pavel Zacha
Zacha has double-digit FanDuel points in five of his previous six contests. This includes a six-game real-world point streak. Now Zacha is seeing time on the top power-play unit and top line at times. This is because Nico Hischier has to be eased in from his broken fibula and COVID recovery.
Zacha has excelled against teams that have poor discipline. The Buffalo Sabres are one of those young teams who make unconscionable mistakes at even-strength. New Jersey's center must help the Devils get off to a better start than they did on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are not rested, but Buffalo is on the road on a back end of a back-to-back while New Jersey has some appeal at home.
Elsewhere, Kevin Stenlund ($3,600) might be a bottom-six value play from Columbus, but his risk is extreme. Stenlund could produce or be a complete waste of a roster space.
Nils Hoglander, Wing, Vancouver Canucks
FanDuel Salary: $3,800
The Vancouver Canucks are a mess when it comes to team defense, but that helps the offensive fortunes of Nils Hoglander. Hoglander keeps firing shots on goal as he has three-plus shots in each of his last five contests. That comes with nearly three scoring chances per game in that span.
Hoglander still has lessons to learn -- like how to finish some of his high-danger chances -- but the fact he is not afraid to go into the dangerous areas bodes well. The young winger has provided a boost to a team that has little margin for error.
Edmonton will allow its fair share of shots and scoring chances and goals (3.1 goals per game -- 22nd). Hoglander is fast enough to go up against the Oilers less-than-mobile defense.
Zach Aston-Reese ($3,400) has two goals against the Washington Capitals in as many games and may be someone to keep an eye on later when it comes to line deployment.
Matt Irwin, Defenseman, Buffalo Sabres
FanDuel Salary: $3,600
Thanks to the Jake McCabe injury, Irwin is moving up the Buffalo Sabres' hierarchy, and that means potential for power-play time.
With the smaller slate and a meeting with the worst penalty kill in the league (New Jersey's penalty kill rate is just 59.5%), Irwin is on the low-salary radar. The Devils also allow the third-most unblocked shot attempts from the point. Irwin checks a few boxes for tonight.
As intriguing as the Detroit Red Wings' Filip Hronek could be, Ty Smith is a more appealing option from New Jersey.
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.
