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Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Saturday, October 15:
Triple Threat
- LW Mikkel Boedker (25K), C Logan Couture (75K), RW Joonas Donskoi (25K), Sharks (at Blue Jackets): The Sharks ranked third in the league in goals for per road game last season at 2.98. They opened this year with a lackluster 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, but the Blue Jackets' defensive system is much worse. Couture's wingers make his salary affordable.
- C Derick Brassard (48K), RW Bobby Ryan (47K), D Erik Karlsson (85K), Senators (vs. Canadiens): Ryan and Brassard each had a goal and an assist in the Senators' season-opening victory. Karlsson one-upped them, adding a second assist for a three-point game. The Sens' second line should avoid the shut-down of defense of Canadiens D Shea Weber.
- LW Jamie Benn (41K), C Tyler Seguin (42K), D John Klingberg (33K): This typically dynamic trio combined for just a single assist in the Stars' first game of the season, a game in which the team totaled four goals. The disappointing season debut has resulted in drastically reduced salaries for their second game. Load up whenever you have this chance.
Goalie Breakdown
- TARGET - Steve Mason, Flyers (at Coyotes): Mason was surprisingly not given the start in the Flyers' season opener, as G Michal Neuvirth started and picked up a victory on the road, against the Los Angeles Kings. Mason draws the second half of the double-header, in Arizona. He posted a .928 save percentage over a 26 game stretch from Jan. 1 to Apr. 2 last season.
- BARGAIN - Chad Johnson, Flames (at Canucks): G Brian Elliott has started the Flames' first two games of the season, each against the Edmonton Oilers. He allowed a total of 10 goals on 55 shots, and he's likely to give way to Johnson for the second half of Calgary's double header. Johnson had a .920 SV% in 45 games with the Buffalo Sabres last year.
- FADE - Frederik Andersen, Maple Leafs (vs. Bruins): Andersen is unlikely to draw much attention after surrendering five goals on 30 shots to the Senators in the season opener, but he needs to be excluded from all types of lineups. The Bruins' offense torched the Blue Jackets for six goals while on the road in their season opener.
- CONTRARIAN - Cory Schneider, Devils (at Lightning): The Devils' offense spoiled an excellent season debut from Schneider, in which he allowed just two goals on 34 shots by the Florida Panthers. He's in tough once again to be credited with a victory, but he's sure to face a high volume of shots, and he'll rack up a high save total.
Bargain Plays
- C Derek Stepan (26K), Rangers (at Blues): Stepan's 16:03 of ice time in Game 1 was less than he has ever averaged over a full NHL season. He's still the first-line center at 5v5 and on the second power-play unit. The Blues have an excellent defensive system, but they're likely to start to backup G Carter Hutton. Stepan registered five SOG in his first game.
- LW Tomas Tatar (25K), Red Wings (at Panthers): Tatar registered a minus-2 rating in the Red Wings' first game of the year, but he did tally two shots on goal in his 14:26 of ice time. He is skating on the left side of C Dylan Larkin at 5v5, setting him up for success if he can stick in the spot.
- RW Jiri Hudler (25K), Stars (at Avalanche): Hudler offers some of the cheapest exposure to an already discounted Stars offense. He didn't register a shot in 14:39 in the season opener, but he'll stick on the right side of C Jason Spezza at 5v5 while switching to the left side of the second power-play unit.
Top Fades
- C Mark Scheifele (64K), Jets (at Wild): With teammate Bryan Little sidelined by injury, the Jets center depth will be tested. Until a second line emerges as an offensive threat, the top trio, centered by Scheifele, will face the league's top defenders on a nightly basis. This mean he'll draw Wild D Ryan Suter Saturday night, capping his upside.
- D Seth Jones (51K), Blue Jackets (vs. Sharks): Jones registered a goal and an assist in the first game of the season, but he took just two shots in over 23 minutes. The offensive part of his game still hasn't developed to a reliable level and low shot counts give him a low floor. The Sharks' defense is much better than that of the Bruins.
- LW Artemi Panarin (48K), Blackhawks (vs. Predators): A reliable option in any daily fantasy format last season, Panarin has totaled just three SOG in the Blackhawks' first two games. He's averaging over 20 minutes, but Chicago's busy early-season schedule could have a negative impact in the second half of a back-to-back.
Contrarian Options
- C Nicklas Backstrom (77K), Capitals (vs. Islanders): Many considered Backstrom to have lost value by his "demotion" off the top line beside LW Alex Ovechkin. In the Capitals' season opener, Backstrom picked up two assists and recorded five SOG, something he did just once all of last season.
- LW Alexander Steen (60K), Blues (vs. Rangers): Most daily fantasy owners are automatically attracted to the Vladimir Tarasenko of St. Louis, but Steen has three points of his own through two games, totaling seven shots on goal. He's also averaging over 20 minutes per game. Don't fear Rangers G Henrik Lundqvist.
- D Oliver Ekman-Larsson (46K), Coyotes (vs. Flyers): Saturday's high-profile defensemen include the likes of Brent Burns, Erik Karlsson, P.K. Subban and Roman Josi. Ekman-Larsson is likely to be overshadowed, despite his lower salary. He is likely to factor into much of the offense generated by the Coyotes this season.
