October 24, 2017

Tom Vecchio's top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for 10/24/17. Expert NHL DFS advice, sleepers & player recommendations for FanDuel and DraftKings.

We have a massive 11 game slate tonight, so options are all over the place. More games on the slate, means high scores need in your contests, so look for a solid stack or two, and surround them with players who have multi point upside. Also, always look to make sure your goalie is confirmed as the starter.

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 10/24/17. 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

Jack Eichel - C, BUF vs DET (DK - $7,000,  FD - $7,800)

Eichel is one of the rising young centers in the league, and always makes a good DFS play. He has multi point upside almost any night and is viable in any format. He has 11 points through nine games this season, and is at home against the Red Wings, who are giving up over three goals per game. The slight drawback with Eichel, is that he isn't on the best team, which sometimes limits his potential ceiling of points. Regardless, he has the skill to get it done himself, which we often see him do, and shouldn't be passed on if you have the salary.

Derek Stepan - C, ARI @ NYI (DK - $5,000, FD - $5,600)

Stepan may seem like a bit of an off the board pick for some, but he is seeing plenty of playing time to make him worth the roster spot. Stepan is on the first foward line, and the first power-play unit, which means the chances he gets to score are big. He isn't that expensive, and considering this game has a goal total set a 6, which is high, we want some cheap exposure to it. Stepan has six points in eight games, and is averaging just under three shots per game. Best if used in a stack, which should come in at lower ownership.

Jonathan Huberdeau - W, FLA @ MON (DK - $5,800, FD - $5,700)

Huberdeau normally wouldn't be a player I'd like to target in this spot, but let me explain. In prior seasons, picking players going against Montreal goalie Carey Price wasn't a winning formula. He was/is elite, and could be compared to picking hitters against Kershaw. Just not the best decision. But with all that said, Montreal has given up the fourth most goals this season, and is averaging over four goals against per game. That is horrible, and considering Huberdeau is on the top forward line, and top power-play unit, this mean plenty of playing time at a cheap price.

DFS Defenders to Consider 

Erik Karlsson - D, OTT vs LA (DK - $7,300, FD - $7,500)

When it comes to choosing defenders, always look at guys who see a ton of ice time. Karlsson is a textbook definition of that. He has only played three games this season, but is averaging nearly 25 minutes per game. He is on the top defensive pairing and the top power-play unit. He moves the puck extremely well, and already has six assist in just three games. He is the most expensive defender on both sites, so you will have to pay up to get to him. He is also averaging four shots per game, which are easy fantasy points.

Olli Maatta - D, PIT vs EDM (DK - $4,200, FD - $4,440)

We looked at a high priced defender, so let's look at one to save a bit of money. Maatta plays on the second defensive pairing and the second power-play unit in the always powerful Penguins offense. He has six assists in his last seven games, and is seemingly involved in every other goal the Penguins score. For his price, and the production you get from him, there is no better option. He has the ability to score multiple points, and not necessarily have to do much by himself. Just think that nearly half of his ice time is either with Crosby or Malkin also on the ice. Yeah, that's the kind of player you want in your lineup.

DFS Goalies to Consider

Chad Johnson - G, BUF vs DET (DK - $7,100, FD - $7,600)

Johnson may not be the biggest name when it comes to goalies, but he has enough to get it done, especially from a fantasy perspective. The Sabres give up a lot of shots, that's just a fact, and more chances at saves means more points. Johnson also finds himself at home and a -145 favorite according to Vegas. He is up a Detroit team, who has recently made a few trades, and overall they are not a team you should be afraid of. They don't have consistent goal scorers and are fine to target against with goalies.

James Reimer - G, FLA @ MON (DK - $7,200, FD - $7,600)

In his previous start, Reimer went into Washington and held them to only one goal, with 41 saves. Massive performance by him, and if he can go on the road to beat one of the best teams in the league, he can go on the road and beat the team who has the fewest goals scored this season. Yes, Montreal has scored only 13 goals in eight games this season. They seemingly have no offense, and until they prove it, you should pick goalies against them any night.

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