FanDuel NHL: Friday Targets

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Published on January 3, 2020

SLATE PREVIEW

The Capitals are looking to snap a two-game losing streak while the Hurricanes are looking to extend their two-game winning streak. Goaltending, which has been a strength for most of the season for the Caps, failed them at the end of 2019, allowing 10 goals in two games, including six against the Hurricanes on Dec. 28.

With a comeback win against the Preds in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Winter Classic, the Stars have now won three straight and face the league-worst Red Wings, who are coming off a 2-0 win against San Jose but have just 10 wins this season.

GOALIES

Ben Bishop ($8,800) will be a very popular pick. The Wings just don't seem to stand much of a chance and the Stars have been playing well lately in spite of Corey Perry's antics. However, the Wings have managed to win consecutive games three separate times this season, and projected goalie Jonathan Bernier ($7,300) is coming off a shutout win.

Braden Holtby was no good against Carolina last time so Ilya Samsonov ($8,100) gets the start, but the Hurricanes are very, VERY good, and the very streaky Petr Mrazek ($7,900) is coming off a strong 29-save performance against the Habs. What should be worrying is the 'Canes' firepower – they're eighth in the league in GF/PG, trailing the fifth-ranked Caps by just 0.14 goals per game.

VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS

Erik Haula ($5,000) has six points in five games since returning, riding a 23.9 S% and ranks second among players with have scored at least 10 goals. The Caps defensive depth is a bit worrying, and so Haula's line with the uber-talented Martin Necas could see much easier matchups on defense. Warren Foegele ($4,300) is also worth considering playing on a line with Andrei Svechnikov and Jordan Staal.

Filip Zadina ($3,200) is a very talented offensive player still getting his feet wet in the NHL, but his upside is tantalizing. He's failed to register a shot in just two games this season and also plays on the first power-play unit.

FORWARD LINE STACKS

CAR Carolina Hurricanes (TOTAL: $18,800)

C – Sebastian Aho ($7,500)
W – Nino Niederreiter ($4,800)
W – Teuvo Teravainen ($6,500)

The trio had just one assist in a 6-4 win against the Caps last time but they've been a dominant line all season. We'll accept that quiet performance as blip on the radar because it's unlikely they'll be held off the scoresheet, especially Aho, who has failed to register a shot only three times in 40 games this season.

DEFENSEMEN

John Carlson ($7,100) is slowing down a little so he may not be worth the premium, but no doubt he's still the favorite for the Norris Trophy. That means Dougie Hamilton ($6,300), who has two points in two games, isn't too far off, and in fact might be the better play given the Caps' struggles.

John Klingberg ($5,700) is on a three-game assist streak with five assists in total, but he's considered day-to-day with a lower-body injury, which means Miro Heiskanen ($4,700) and Esa Lindell ($3,800) might be in line for some big minutes.

Filip Hronek ($4,600) is on a three-game point streak and remains a potent PP QB on a bad team. Not having Anthony Mantha really hurts, but they've got two pretty good shooters in Robby Fabbri and Zadina.

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