DFS: Mystery Men - Wednesday's Top Sleeper Plays
Opening night of the NHL season features a thin slate of games, making DFS strategy lean heavily on precision. With fewer sure thing candidates on the schedule, players need someone to come through on the cheap.
There are a few players who won't break your bank, however, and will allow you to spend up elsewhere. Here's who you should consider tonight:
G: Karri Ramo, Flames (vs. Canucks)
The uncertainty between the pipes for the Flames was the biggest question surrounding the team in the offseason. Ramo was named Calgary's starter on Monday, ahead of Jonas Hiller.
There's reason to think Ramo won't hurt you in DFS. Calgary's defense looks to be among the best in the business, especially after adding Dougie Hamilton to the squad in a trade with the Bruins. The D should mitigate the quality of shots reaching Ramo, making his job a little easier.
The Flames also find themselves as a Vegas favorite on the night, giving Ramo the nod as expected game winner. A good, and fairly obvious, rule of thumb in DFS is go with a goalie you expect to win.
C: Henrik Sedin, Canucks (at Flames)
On the other hand, if the situation in Calgary's net scares you off, Sedin isn't a bad option. Sure, he's a little long in the tooth but he's going to cost less at the position than Nazem Kadri, Joe Thornton, and Derick Brassard.
Expectations are low for the Canucks - and Sedin by proxy - and that makes the aging center a sleeper even if he shouldn't be one.
The Canucks' captain was fifth in the NHL with 55 assists last season. He isn't flashy, but as long as he patrols the top line in Vancouver, and is underpriced, he needs to be picked.
W: Alexander Semin, Canadiens (at Maple Leafs)
One of the most frustrating players in the NHL, Semin looks to start fresh with a Habs team desperate for someone to light the lamp with regularity other than Max Pacioretty. Montreal signed him to a "prove-it" deal, and his price in DFS reflects this.
He was once good for more than a point per game, and while those days probably won't return, he is starting the year on a line with Lars Eller and Alex Galchenyuk. The entire line is the epitome of potential overshadowing results. Starting the season against the Leafs should help them reach those heights. Consider stacking the entire line in a GPP.
D: Kevin Klein, Rangers (at Blackhawks)
Klein is coming off his best season, but still finds himself in the third pairing on the Rangers' blueline. He has a low floor, but if the site you use counts blocked shots he'll probably rack up a couple and he could find twine. Corey Crawford is in net, after all.
Being paired with Keith Yandle doesn't hurt, either. There are no real holes, except maybe age in New York's defense and Klein is the best bargain on the roster.