DFS: Counterattack - Wednesday's Top Contrarian Plays
The opening night of the 2015-16 NHL season features several of the leagues most popular teams and players.
In order to win big in a guaranteed prize pool on a night with only four games and so few players to choose from, owners will need to fade the top stars and find some players going under the radar in order to win.
Here's a look at the top contrarian plays for the opening night of daily fantasy hockey play:
G Ryan Miller, Canucks (at Flames)
The Flames are an overwhelming -150 favorite, according to Las Vegas. While this isn't a positive for Miller, it means he should face plenty of rubber, and he's made a career out of winning games on his own.
Hockey fans in Calgary have lofty expectations this season following last year's surprise success, but Miller is more than capable of playing in a difficult environment under high pressure.
Miller is underpriced as one of the most experienced and successful veteran goalies on the night and the high save total coupled with a potential win or even a shutout gives him a lot of upside.
D Alec Martinez, Kings (vs. Sharks)
With Jake Muzzin (upper body) possible to miss the season opener, there is an outside chance of Martinez receiving first-pairing minutes, as he did when injuries piled up for the Kings last season.
Even if Muzzin does play, Martinez will see time on the second power play unit, behind the strong forward trio of Tanner Pearson, Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli.
W Alexander Semin, Canadiens (at Maple Leafs)
It was baffling that it took as long as it did for a team to offer Semin a contract this past offseason. A highly criticized player, Semin had reached 40 points in eight consecutive seasons before recording just 19 in 57 games for the Carolina Hurricanes last season.
On a line with Alex Galchenyuk and Lars Eller, Semin has more talent around him than he did during much of his time in Carolina. He'll have an opportunity to make an immediate impact with his new team, while facing the soft Maple Leafs defense.
C Brandon Sutter, Canucks (at Flames)
Henrik and Daniel Sedin remain together on the Canucks' top line, but it will be Sutter beginning the 2015-16 season as the third twin, with Radim Vrbata moving to the second line.
Primarily a role player with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Sutter was able to reach 21 goals last season with a plethora of injuries ravaging the Penguins' forward ranks. Sutter was acquired by the Canucks to fill a more offensive role, and his center eligibility will make him a fairly unique pairing with either, or both, Sedin(s).