Fantasy picks: Patrik Laine could end slump
Jets rookie forward among Nov. 29 DFS options against Devils
By
Ben Zweiman @BZweimanNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
C - Logan Couture, SJ ($6,500)
The San Jose Sharks center has scored in four of his past six games and has done most of his damage at home this season. Couture has four goals, 11 blocks and 30 shots on goal in 10 games at SAP Center (3.7 DraftKings points per contest). He's been particularly good on the power play, and the Arizona Coyotes have the 24th-ranked penalty kill (79.7 percent). The Coyotes have allowed 10 power-play goals in 11 road games, and Couture has scored five of his seven goals on the man-advantage. San Jose has struggled offensively but could break out against Arizona on Tuesday.
C - Bo Horvat, VAN ($4,200)
Horvat may have a tough matchup against the Minnesota Wild but has been the Vancouver Canucks' most productive forward lately. He has two goals and four assists on a four-game point streak (5.125 DraftKings points per contest during that span). Horvat leads the Canucks with seven goals and 15 points, and even has two shorthanded goals. His speed will be a factor against Minnesota's older centers (Mikko Koivu, 33; Eric Staal, 32), and he comes at a very affordable price.
W - Patrik Laine, WPG ($7,000)
The talented rookie is in the midst of a six-game goal drought, but the New Jersey Devils aren't the same defensive team as last season. The Devils have allowed at least four goals in four of their past five games, and Laine should be able to exploit New Jersey's defense. Laine has scored 10 of his 12 goals this season at home, and is averaging 5.4 DraftKings points per contest in 11 games at MTS Centre. New Jersey has faced 16 power plays in its past four games, so the odds are stacked in Laine's favor to end the drought.
W - Milan Lucic, EDM ($5,800)
If you are trying to fade Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid ($8,700), then Lucic isn't a bad insurance policy if McDavid continues his torrid pace. The left wing has been almost as productive as his linemate with two goals and four assists on a four-game point streak (6.4 DraftKings points per contest during that stretch). The Toronto Maple Leafs rank 28th in goals-against per game (3.19), and Lucic shouldn't have trouble using his size (6-foot-3, 233 pounds) against their younger forwards.
D - Zach Werenski, CBJ ($6,000)
The rookie defenseman was solid against the Tampa Bay Lightning in a 5-3 win on Nov. 25, finishing with an assist and seven SOG for 5.5 DraftKings points. That game was on the road, but Werenski has been much better at home with five goals, seven assists, 12 blocks and 34 SOG in 11 games. The Lightning have allowed eight PP goals in the past seven games when Ben Bishop is starting, though it's unclear if Bishop of backup Andrei Vasilevskiy will be in net. Either way, Werenski is conveniently priced in a good matchup with upside for use in tournaments and cash games.
D - Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF ($5,100)
A lot of this pick is contingent on Buffalo Sabres center Jack Eichel returning against the Ottawa Senators, but Ristolainen is a safe enough play considering his category coverage. The defenseman has 15 SOG in his past four games and has blocked at least two shots in five of his past six. Ristolainen has gone five straight games with at least 3.0 Draft Kings points, and the Senators are allowing the third-most points to opposing defensemen this season. Eichel's return could spark the Sabres and give Ristolainen a higher ceiling to go with his relatively high floor.
G - Corey Crawford, CHI ($8,100)
If you're looking for a chalk play, Crawford and the Chicago Blackhawks get the Florida Panthers, who are reeling after a tough 3-2 loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday and the subsequent firing of coach Gerard Gallant. The Panthers have scored two or fewer goals in five of their past six games, and Crawford has allowed two or fewer in three of four. Chicago is 9-2-1 in its past 12 games against Florida, and Crawford is 5-1-0 with a 1.58 goals-against average and .935 save percentage against the Panthers in his career.
G - Cory Schneider, NJD ($7,300)
The Devils and Schneider have struggled lately, and the goaltender has allowed at least three goals in each of his past four starts. But this has been one of Schneider's worst stretches with New Jersey, and he's bound to bounce back. There won't be many opportunities to get Schneider at this price (36th among goalies Tuesday). Schneider has good numbers against the Jets in his career (3-3-0, 2.00 GAA, .933 SV%) and is a sneaky play for tournaments considering he shouldn't see much exposure in lineups.
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