This article is part of our Beat the Cap series.
In the first edition of 2015 there are three topics across three sites. First, we'll look at a new site with a unique roster setting and then flip to a couple strategies to help on FanDuel and Draft Kings.
Two-goalie format
USA Today's FantasyScore daily game requires players to roster two goalies in their daily hockey contests. It is a unique setting, which places additional significance on the most important position in daily hockey.
There are a number of strategies worth employing on any given night, and there can be considerable challenges as well. Lightly scheduled nights often force a player to start a goalie in an unfavorable matchup or even an undesired goalie.
When there are a number of games on the schedule, you have endless flexibility, though. You can choose to spend up on two top-tier options, or roster a pair of cheap goalies to provide cap relief for your skaters. Players can also tandem their risk in a similar manner.
Daily players looking for something new can turn to FantasyScore. The two-goalie format is a fun twist and adds all kinds of strategy to roster assembly. For example, recently, I started opposing goalies Craig Anderson and Cory Schneider to guarantee the three-point win bonus on a night with only three games on the schedule.
Spending for rearguards
Earlier this season, an entire column was devoted to pinching pennies on the backend to provide cap space to spend elsewhere. However, Draft King's scoring settings make super-cheap defensemen very difficult to roster, unless you're essentially punting the position.
Without the inclusion of penalty minutes and plus/minus, you need offensively inclined defensemen, and they're the most expensive.
However, Draft Kings' quick-reaction pricing often lands excellent offensive defensemen well within profit territory. Recently, Duncan Keith was just $4,300 and rewarded with an assist Dec. 27. His price then jumped to $4,900 when he posted three helpers and 8.0 fantasy points Dec. 29.
Two more examples are Victor Hedman (currently priced at a resasonable $5,700), who only cost $4,800 for his two-assist, 4.0 fantasy point showing Dec. 27 against the Leafs. Whereas Kevin Shattenkirk had a $5,300 price tag two weeks ago, which was a steal considering he was -- and still is -- the league-leader in power-play points. Shattenkirk is currently more accurately priced at $7,200.
Blindly spending up is never advised, but minimal-priced fliers on the blue line don't pan out as frequently on Draft Kings as they do on sites incorporating more statistics. Instead, look to save on the blue line by identifying mid-priced options in favorable matchups who are also offensively capable.
Looking ahead, Dougie Hamilton ($4,000), Alex Goligoski ($3,800), Niklas Kronwall ($4,100), Sami Vatanen ($4,100), Dan Boyle ($4,600), Tyson Barrie ($4,400), Ryan Suter ($4,500), Nick Leddy ($3,200) and Aaron Ekblad ($4,600) are all candidates. Just remember, others could quickly drop in price, too.
Backup duty cap relief
FanDuel's goalie pricing makes backup goalies very attractive starts. Their tortoise approach to salary changes opens up significant profit opportunities with emerging starters, too.
Michael Hutchinson is the perfect example. He is currently priced at $7,300, which was $3,000 cheaper than Tuesday's most expensive goalie Henrik Lundqvist. Hutchinson is ranked third in goals-against average and second in save percentage in the league to date, and he averages more fantasy points per game than Lundqvist. By no means can a claim be made Hutchinson is the superior goalie, but his current form should have his price tag in closer proximity to Lundqvist's cap hit.
Goaltenders are the most volatile position in fantasy hockey, especially in daily formats. So it is never advised to take goalie selections lightly. However, backup goalies frequently face the inferior team in back-to-back situations, and when they have a strong defensive team in front of them, there can be tremendous value. Martin Jones turned in a shutout Monday over the Leafs, for example.
Two weeks ago, Andrei Vasilevskii was recalled to the Lightning and priced at $5,000 on FanDuel. He was an intriguing start at that price, especially with a strong possession and defensive team in front of him. He returned 4.0 points on FanDuel against the lowly Sabres in his last start, but given the flexibility his minimal cap hit allowed for spending up on skaters, it was a solid play.
Jake Allen started for the Blues against the Oilers on Tuesday. Allen carried an affordable $6,900 FanDuel salary. Another cheap option is Petr Mrazek at a $7,200 cap hit on FanDuel. The average salary per player at a $55,000 salary cap is $6,111, and both goaltenders aren't significantly above that. Their matchups present an opportunity to return similar results to those Vasilevskii did two weeks ago, too.
Never hesitate to spend up for a goalie. On the other hand, when there are capable goalies in favorable matchups at a significantly lower price tag, you can roster additional high-end skaters. The approach varies nightly, but FanDuel's lack of respect and prolonged adjustment period with their salaries presents incredible profit opportunities in the crease.
If you have additional questions or would like to see anything specifically covered in Beat the Cap contact me in the comments below or via Twitter @naparker77.
