Yahoo Daily Fantasy Hockey: Monday picks

By Chris Morgan

Monday is the epitome of a light slate in the NHL, as there are only two games scheduled. However, if you still want to play some daily fantasy, and since you are reading this you probably do, there are picks that are better than others. Hopefully, these are some of them.

GOALIE

Carey Price, MON vs. PHI ($38): Price against the Flyers is a good selection any day. However, when there are only two games being played, Price becomes an even better option. He’s maybe the best goalie in the NHL. Some picks make themselves.

GOALIE TO AVOID

Brian Elliott, CGY at CHI ($28): While Corey Crawford and the Blackhawks have had some goal prevention issues, he’s still a good bet to get a win. Elliott will cost you more than Steve Mason ($27), and he has a .839 save percentage so far. That’s why he’s the pick here.

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CENTER

Artem Anisimov, CHI vs. CGY ($16): Chicago may be having issues stopping their opponents, especially on the penalty kill, but their offense is fine. Anisimov has eight points so far, two of which have come on the power play. He’s got a great opportunity against a team with defensive questions and he’s very reasonably priced.

CENTER TO AVOID

Claude Giroux, PHI at MON ($25): This is not a knock on Giroux, a proven player with six points (all assists) this season. However, Calgary-Chicago has all the makings of a shootout, so you are going to want players from both those teams. Giroux has to go against Price and the Canadiens, and he’s the most expensive center available. Your money could be more wisely spent.

WING

Richard Panik, CHI vs. CGY ($16): Panik is likely to cool down eventually, or he’ll end up one of the most surprising 30-goal scorers in recent memory. Nevertheless, the fact remains that he has six goals and eight points in six games. He’s also playing top-six minutes and seeing time on the power play. Plus, it’s a really good matchup, and he’s priced like a guy who is hard to believe in long term. This isn’t about the long term, though. It’s about Monday.

Troy Brouwer, CGY at CHI ($18): As previously mentioned, the Blackhawks’ penalty kill has been terrible this year. Brouwer, who has four points in six games, has played more than four minutes a night on the power play so far. All that time on the ice with the extra man certainly bodes well for Brouwer in this matchup. He’s a proven power-play producer in his career.

WINGERS TO AVOID

Wayne Simmonds, PHI at MON ($21): The argument here is the same as the one against Giroux. There are only four teams playing Monday, and the Flyers have clearly the toughest matchup of the four. Simmonds is the most expensive winger for Philadelphia. Your money would likely be more wisely spent on a player with a better matchup.

Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at CHI ($25): It can’t all be Flyers players in the “avoid” sections. Gaudreau is a lot of fun to watch, and he’s had a fine career so far. However, he’s off to a bit of a slow start, with only one goal and two assists through six games. Eventually he’ll pick up his play, just like Chicago’s penalty kill will. Given his price, though, you might want to look elsewhere.

DEFENSE

Duncan Keith, CHI vs. CGY ($22): Keith is pricey (only Mark Giordano at $23 will cost you more) but with so few teams playing, there are bound to be some high-priced players you need to consider. He has six assists and 14 shots on goal, so he’s been as offensively prolific as usual. He’s also playing more than 25 minutes a night for the third straight season. With this matchup, it makes sense to kick in a few extra bucks to get Keith.

Brian Campbell, CHI vs. CGY ($12): If you want to save some money, though, consider Keith’s teammate. Campbell is as cheap as any blueliner available Monday, but he has more upside than, say, Ladislav Smid. The cagey veteran isn’t the player he used to be, but he has four points so far and has played more than two minutes per night on the power play. He could be a great value, and leaves you some money to spend elsewhere.

DEFENSEMEN TO AVOID

Dougie Hamilton, CGY at CHI ($18): Hamilton’s price is based on his track record, which makes sense because we are so early in this season. He’s also playing a lot of minutes, and he has 17 shots on goal. However, he also has one point, an assist. Maybe he’ll turn it around against Chicago, but do you want to take that risk at this price?

Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at MON ($21): Gostisbehere is well on his way to proving his rookie year wasn’t a fluke. He’s averaging over three shots per game and has five points in five contests. On the other hand, he’s fairly expensive and has a really tough matchup. This just isn’t a good day to select Flyers.