Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.
Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Friday, October 14:
Triple Threats
- LW Filip Forsberg (59K), C Ryan Johansen (57K), D P.K. Subban (47K), Predators (vs. Blackhawks): The Predators offense is crazy good. A year after finishing T12 in team goals, they've done little else other than upgrade their defense with the acquisition of Subban. The Blackhawks lost their season opener and now take to the road.
- LW Johnny Gaudreau (61K), C Sean Monahan (50K), D Mark Giordano (35K), Flames (vs. Oilers): A more contrarian stack, the Flames and Oilers will play a rematch of the Oilers' 7-4 season-opening victory Wednesday. Gaudreau and Monahan are as safe as it gets and Giordano is under priced with first-unit power-play time.
- C Claude Giroux (69K), RW Wayne Simmonds (59K), D Shayne Gostisbehere (48K), Flyers (at Kings): The Flyers get first crack at a Kings team without G Jonathan Quick. Simmonds replaces RW Jakub Voracek on the right side of Giroux at 5v5, though Voracek rejoins his center on the power play. Gostisbehere plays on the top unit at 5v5 and 5v4.
Bargain Plays
- LW Milan Lucic, Oilers (at Flames): Lucic is an excellent way to gain exposure to Oilers C Connor McDavid in the early part of the season. He failed to record a point in Wednesday's high-scoring affair, but he did take a five-minute fighting major and tallied two shots on goal. He played 18:48, which is more than enough time to factor into plenty of offense.
- C Mike Fisher (34K), Predators (vs. Blackhawks): Typically the Predators' third-line center in years past, the team's new captain will begin 2016-17 in a second-line role. While he isn't an offensive star on his own, he will play alongside RW James Neal at both even strength and on the power play. It's cheap exposure to a more dynamic player.
- RW Craig Smith (39K), Predators (vs. Blackhawks): The trend of stacking the Predators and getting as much exposure as possible continues. Smith's point totals have dropped in each of the past two seasons, but he is the star of the team's third line at 5v5, while joining Forsberg and Johansen on the top power-play unit.
Top Fades
- G Corey Crawford (95K), Blackhawks (at Predators): Crawford allowed three goals on 32 shots in Wednesday's opener against the St. Louis Blues. He was significantly worse on the road than he was at home last season, posting a .905 save percentage and a 2.99 goals against average, compared to rates of .940 and 1.85 in Chicago.
- C Anze Kopitar (57K), Kings (vs. Flyers): Kopitar tallied an assist in Wednesday's opener, but he failed to record a single shot on goal. With Kings LW Tanner Pearson suspended for one more game, Kopitar is expected to be flanked by Ws Dwight King and Tyler Toffoli, as the team's injuries have reshaped the entire offense. He can't be used in cash games.
- D Dennis Wideman (78K), Flames (vs. Oilers): Wideman scored a power-play goal Wednesday, inflating his projections for the second game of the season. He is stuck on the third pairing at 5v5 and he plays only on the second power-play unit. He doesn't have the safety or upside of many lower-priced defensemen.
Contrarian Options
- D Roman Josi (45K), Predators (vs. Blackhawks): Josi perfectly represents the tournament strategy of pivoting. He is priced very similar to the higher-profile Subban, but they're defense partners at both 5v5 and on the top power play. The two are of equal offensive talent. With Josi likely to come with much lower ownership, he becomes the play.
- RW Jordan Eberle (58K), Oilers (at Flames): Eberle scored a goal on three shots Wednesday, logging 19:21 of ice time. He benefits from playing alongside McDavid and Lucic, but he can't be expected to be the leading goal scorer among the trio. He has tallied 200 SOG in a season just once, coming in a 28-goal 2013-14 campaign. He will have assist opportunities.
- C Sam Bennett (39K), Flames (vs. Oilers): Bennett offers a pivot off the highly-owned top line of the Flames. The second line doesn't have the same appeal as the trio including Monahan and Gaudreau, but Bennett played nearly 15 minutes in the first game of the year, registering three SOG. He likely won't have to face the Oilers' top line and he plays on the second power play.
