Daily Fantasy Sports – McKeen's Hockey

Fantasy Hockey Mailbag: The Last Ride?

Chris Wassel — Thu, 09 Apr 2015 01:33:01 +0000

A funny thing happens this time of year and no it is not Spring. However, thoughts immediately turn to the second season while still worrying about the end of the regular season. So many things happen in the final week and it can get quite chaotic. This year is a little unique in the sense that the NHL hits Game 82 for all on a Saturday. It is not unprecedented by any means but it has been awhile.

There are obvious problems with this. Now in rotisserie leagues, no one really cares much because you play until the end anyway. However, in head to head leagues that are going this week, it is a six day week and most major fantasy platforms have pro-rated your moves, etc. It makes a difference when you look at it. So you can take a guess what one of the questions that came my way because it came with a lot of venom from some. Who could blame them?

Okay let's begin.....

Fantasy Hockey Mailbag

What are your thoughts on playing the last week of the regular season in fantasy hockey?

Since there are multiple ways to play these days and now daily fantasy hockey as well, there are at least three different ways to answer this.

DFS -- This one is simple. I do not really like it but I will play away on Wednesday and Saturday. Friday's two game slate is just not that appealing and honestly Tuesday is not all that good and Thursday is not optimal either. Think of this as torture. No one knows when players like Zdeno Chara will return just yet or if other injuries will occur. Daily is far tougher to gauge as well because it is a one day contest. If someone unexpectedly sits, that goose egg resonates throughout your lineup. It also means one probably does not cash. No $$$ is bad news as they say. Players will also be "shut down" for minor things so expect that too.

Roto/Points -- Honestly, I do not mind the last week all that much. It is like playing through the string. You expect it in rotisserie leagues. That 15 game Saturday slate is going to decide a lot of leagues. Personally, I am in a few myself and the difference in money will literally come down to probably the late games. That is how you want a league to end honestly. It is so much more fun when things come to a thrilling conclusion and not just a whimper. Some will like quiet thrashings but they are not exciting for everyone. The leagues you talk about are the ones that keep you on the edge of your seat and roster moves right down to the wire.

H2H -- NO! This cannot be emphasized enough. NO! It was bad enough I made a mistake in my own personal league and had this, not realizing it until it was too late. Granted there are a couple playoff races left and some seeding to be determined but all that needs to occur is a few players sitting and that kills a finalist at the most crucial moment. There is nothing more agonizing to see a whole season down the drain because Carey Price had to rest on a Saturday. I am not going to say that will happen but hypothetically it is possible. This is why next year I will make sure every league ends the week before the regular season ends. Call it a lesson learned in remembering dates.

Okay....we have time for one more.....

So which player(s) may influence lines and fantasy production this week?

It has to be the Florida Panthers first line of Jaromir Jagr, Jonathan Huberdeau, and Aleksander Barkov for daily fantasy. Yes they only play two games but those should be impact filled. Now if it is season long in any format, it is the hope that Marko Dano of the Columbus Blue Jackets is on the second line at some point this week. He is fun to watch and worth the gamble. Also keep an eye on whatever line Brett Connolly is on for Boston this week as they end their regular season on the road.

Finally, the Rangers should see something from the Kevin Hayes line this week and maybe he is still on waivers somewhere. The kid is good and does have that exuberance and skill you want to see. He has not hit the wall needless to say.

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Next week's edition will be later in the week due to the break between the playoffs and end of the regular season. Good luck, thanks for reading, and as always you can follow me on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS.

Fantasy Hockey Mailbag: Thanks For Thanksgiving!

Chris Wassel — Mon, 24 Nov 2014 21:42:55 +0000

Here is the week that I long for every year and the chance to stuff myself silly with a big huge turkey leg and all the trimmings (maybe a second leg). Either way, the fantasy hockey week bends a bit differently this week. Thursday has just one game. This is what the schedule looks like.

Monday -- 4
Tuesday -- 7
Wednesday -- 9
Thursday -- 1
Friday -- 11
Saturday -- 12
Sunday -- 1

Again note the Thursday and Sunday breaks. The Friday-Saturday back to back will be something to get used to so pay attention and keep an eye out for injuries and illnesses. Are you ready for the questions? Let's get started!

Fantasy Hockey Mailbag

1. What stat is less sustainable.....Ryan Miller's .900 save percentage or Craig Anderson's .935 save percentage?

This is where it gets fun. When Ryan Miller loses, he loses big. His GAA is nearly 7 in his three losses with a save percentage under .800. On the other hand, Craig Anderson has a goals against of 2.91 and a save percentage of .918. Those numbers are among the best for losses where Miller is by far the worst. Miller has had some uneven starts over his last seven games (as of Sunday afternoon). There was a streak of games early in the season where the Vancouver goalie was giving up one or two goals consistently. Vancouver tends to give up not as many shots this year as they did late last year. Overall, Miller has only faced 26 shots a game and yet maybe that is part of the reason why his numbers are the way they are. He was used to facing 35+ shots a night his last year and change in Buffalo.

Cue in Craig Anderson, who faces a shot load very similar to what Miller had been as a Sabre. He is facing exactly 35 shots and almost 18 scoring chances a contest. That is not very easy but the fast pace does keep the goalie in rhythm. Anderson has also only played 11 games as he platoons with Robin Lehner.

Basically, Ryan Miller's numbers will improve while Anderson's may dip a bit but neither will rise or fall to levels that would scream a mean regression or progression. Anderson will still be the better start for GAA, save %, and saves while Miller should be the better start for wins.

2. Is there a daily fantasy hockey night you prefer?

There sure is! The weekends are where you will always find me fielding a few lineups on different sites. Saturdays and Sundays are days to play. Yes, most people think the same way but more on Saturday. Sunday is often when you find the more greedy player and that is where you can take advantage. I floated Henrik Lundqvist in several leagues and Frederik Andersen in a couple to excellent results. When one can get over ten points from your goalie, that is usually 25-30% of the way to a cash out. Sunday cash rates start at around 35 points, sometimes higher and sometimes lower.

Short stake nights usually mean higher chances to win but you do have to know who and when to play. It is not easy and takes a number of missteps especially early in the season. Sunday, early on, is a pretty optimal choice.

3. What do you make of the New York Islanders start?

No one should be shocked by this. They have nice balance, a lot of depth on offense, and just enough team defense to play similar to what the Pittsburgh Penguins used to do with that kind of depth. They will have stretches where things do not quite work together but they are a team very much in the mix for the Metropolitan Division crown. The Islanders have so much balance that they have three players at nearly a point a game along with 68 goals in 20 games which is awfully close to the Penguins 69 goals in 19 games.

Do not expect the offense to cool down too much with some fluctuations in team defense. If anything, the Isles top line may heat up much to the music of Kyle Okposo and John Tavares owners. Even Brock Nelson may score north of 30 goals which is a mild surprise. The Islanders and fantasy hockey fans who own these players will see more sunny days than cloudy ones.

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Thanks again for reading and keep those questions coming. Happy Thanksgiving!