Kris Letang offers DFS players the complete package

Well, it looks like the NHL really has to hire new people to write their schedules, having a two-game slate after a huge 13 game slate the night before is mind boggling. I am here to try and help you with a winning cash game lineup for FanDuel. I will list my plays at each position and explain why I am using that certain player. This will be a lineup I will be using all over and if you choose, you can use the same lineup or change it a bit and make it your own. Also in such a small slate, a Cash Game lineup can also place in a small GPP. With that said, let’s have our very own Wednesday Night Rivarly and take some money from FanDuel.

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Center

Evgeni Malkin (PIT): $8,200 @ Washington
This game against the Caps is always touted as Crosby vs Ovechkin, and everyone forgets about Malkin and his dominance over the Caps. In 33 career games against Washington, Malkin has 12 goals and 35 assists, with 14 of his assists coming on the power play. He also has taken 124 shots in those 33 games at a near four shots per game. I expect two goals and two assists tonight from Malkin. Everyone will be on the Pens top line, and Malkin will be the first star of the night.

Mikael Backlund (CGY): $4,490 vs Arizona
Backlund has been a bit silent this season, but being over shadowed by Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan will do that to you. There is a very good possibility that Gaudreau (wrist/arm) might miss tonight’s game, leaving the Flames top line mixed up. I expect Backlund to score a goal and get an assist tonight while putting five shots on net.

Wing

Chris Kunitz (PIT): $4,700 @ Washington
I am pairing Kunitz with Malkin as they are linemates. Kunitz seems to know where Malkin is at all times on the ice, and vice-versa. In his last game against the Maple Leafs, Kunitz had the game-winning goal and registered seven shots on net (season high). I think this game will have just as much open ice and can see a repeat for Kunitz.

Max Domi (ARI): $5,500 @ Calgary
Domi and his Coyotes head north of the border to play a Flames team on the second half of a back to back. Domi has been sort of a let down on the season, but he has started to heat up with a goal and three assists in his last three games. He should see a ton of ice tonight, as the Flames are very suspect on the defensive end of the ice and in net. I can see Domi repeating his output he had against the Avalanche last Tuesday with a goal and two assists.

Radim Vrbata (ARI): $4,900 @ Calgary
Vrbata is currently on a four-game scoring streak where he has two goals and three assists with his last goal coming onSaturdayy on the power play. In his last two games alone he has taken 11 shots on goal, and pairing him with linemate Domi will only increase your fantasy output. The two combined could score you over 55 points on FanDuel.

Matthew Tkachuk (CGY): $3,800 vs Arizona
As you can tell I am targeting both sides of this game, as I think it will be the highest combined score of the night. Tkachuk was close to being sent back to his Jr team, but then busted out with a two-goal performance against the Sharks at the start of this month. What I like about this line pairing with Backlund is that if Johnny Gaudreau is out tonight it will not effect Tkachuk or Backlund as they will stay paired. I see a breakout game coming from Matthew and a 27-point night.

Defense

Kris Letang (PIT): $7,100 @ Washington
Letang is the complete package in the NHL. In baseball he would be called a five-tool player. He is stout in the defensive end of the ice, he is able to separate player from puck, he can shoot, he can skate, and he can move the puck. He has better offensive skills than some offensive players in the NHL. I love using him with Malkin as they will see a lot of time on the ice together, as well as power play time.

Mark Giordano (CGY): $6,300 vs Arizona
Giordano broke a nine-game scoring drought last night with an assist. What this means for you is that he is going to start catching fire and like Letang, is a complete package. One thing he adds to the equation that Letang does not is blocked shots. He will be a great play tonight.

Pivot Play From Giordano

Oliver Ekman-Larsson (ARI): $6,200 @ Calgary
Normally I do not include a pivot play, but I am torn between both Giordano and Ekman-Larsson. I will mix them up, as the upside is there for both of them. Ekman-Larsson is the best player on the Coyotes, and like the other two defensemen listed above, he is a complete package. Using either Giordano or Ekman-Larsson is a win/win in my book.

Goalie

Matt Murray (PIT): $9,200 @ Washington
Murray, as of this post, has not been confirmed the starter, but with him going 4-0-0 since his return from the DL, I cannot see why he would not be. He is averaging 33.8 points per game on FanDuel thus far, which is almost double his counter part, Fleury. He has a razor thin 1.33 goals against average this season, and a .961 save percentage. I will have full exposure to him on FanDuel, but if Fleury ($8,800) is named the starter, I will pivot to Fleury and use my extra funds to move a few player around on offense.

I wish you all good luck tonight, and if you have questions feel free to follow me on Twitter.

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James Capone is a correspondent for FantasyPros. For more from James, find his work at www.draftshot.com and follow him @XploytedDFS.