Tom Vecchio's top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for 10/17/17. Expert NHL DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for FanDuel and DraftKings.

We have an 11 game slate tonight, which means plenty of high priced guys, and value plays at every position. Some high goal totals and big money line favorites according to Vegas, so take a look at those for some edge. More stats are starting to roll in, so we have more to look at, and better projections moving forward.

Vegas lines are big when it comes to picking games to target, and that's a good place to start for goalies. When it comes to skaters, goal totals is another main place to start. Usually 5.5 goals is average, so targets games at six, and can look for goalies in games with a total at five.

In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 10/17/17. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DFS_Tom. Let's get to it, shall we?

DFS Forwards to Consider

Nicklas Backstrom - C, WAS vs TOR (DK - $6,300, FD - $6,800)

Backstrom has 11 points in six games, and if off to a very hot start this season. He plays on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, so the ice time is big for him, and that much exposure to the powerful Capitals offense is great. He makes a good play in any format, since he has shown the consistency to start the season, and great in a stack, since the multi point upside is there.

James Neal - W, VGK vs BUF (DK - $6,900, FD - $7,900)

Neal has six goals in five games this season, and is really taking the leadership role for this new Vegas team. This game may turn into a high scoring affair, since the Vegas starting goalie, Fluery, is on the DL. That is the kind of spot you want to target for multi point upside, and with him playing on the first line and the first power-play unit, plenty of ice time for him to cash in.

Jakub Voracek - W, PHI vs FLA (DK - $6,100, FD - $7,100)

Voracek has yet to find the back of the net this season, but he has nine assists in five games. He often goes over looked at the win position, because his multi goal upside isn't there, but still brings plenty of value with those assists. He is averaging almost three shots per game, and with a spot on the top forward line and the top power-play unit, he is in a spot to hit value.

DFS Defenders to Consider

Erik Karlsson - D, OTT vs VAN (DK - $6,700, FD - $7,000)

Karlsson is making his season debut tonight vs the Canucks, as he missed the first few games recovering from an injury. For those of you who don't know who he is, let me explain. Karlsson is arguably the top offensive defensemen in the league, he is a workhorse on the ice, averaging nearly 26 minutes per game last season. He takes a ton of shots from the point, and he can be found on the first defensive pairing, and the top power-play unit. He is almost the perfect fantasy play, so load him up in any format.

Seth Jones - D, CLS @ WPG (DK - $4,800, FD - $4,900)

Jones is on the top defensive pairing and the second power-play unit for Columbus, and finds himself in a game with a goal total set at six. This mean, at least according to Vegas, there should be plenty of offense to be had, and getting a guy who plays over 20 minutes a game is never a bad thing. He has four points in five games this season, along with 13 shots. Plenty of value, and outside chance of multi point game.

DFS Goalies to Consider

Craig Anderson - G, OTT vs VAN (DK - $8,300, FD - $8,100)

Anderson finds himself as a -185 favorite at home against, against what should be one of the weaker teams in the league, the Canucks. With Karlsson coming back for the Senators, their defense should see a nice bump in production, and protection, which is a great sign for Anderson. He has only allowed three goals over his past three games, so the consistency is there for any game mode.

Martin Jones - G, SJ vs MON (DK - $8,200, FD - $8,700)

Listen, Jones certainly hasn't been great to start the season, giving up 10 goals in three games, but his opponent tonight is last in the league with averaging 1.4 goals per game. So in theory, this is a good bounce back spot. He is in the late west coast games, so the ownership will generally be lower, so if you fancy a bit of risk, he is a good option.

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