Fantasy Corner: Defenseman Picks for Daily Fantasy – 05/20/2022

Wednesday’s series openers showed there was plenty of potential for some huge scores in daily fantasy. Even though the series continuing today started on opposite ends of the spectrum from a scoring standpoint, there’s still plenty of value to be found. This betting guide will help navigate through some of the defensemen who could come through at a low price entering Friday’s pair of Game 2s.

Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames

Noah Hanifin had just one assist in Calgary’s seven-game series against the Dallas Stars, but he was an underpriced monster in daily fantasy. Hanifin unleashes tons of shots for a defenseman—he had one game with nine shots on target against the Stars—and he also blocks a ton of shots. What makes him a great play is that the shots and blocks are almost always there.

Noah Hanifin Calgary Flames
Noah Hanifin, Calgary Flames (Amy Irvin / The Hockey Writers)

Hanifin has been a solid double-digit DFS scorer in just about every game of the postseason. He blocked 14 shots in the series against Dallas and rattled off 25 shots on goal. Even if the frantic scoring doesn’t continue throughout this series, Hanifin’s points should be there because of his ability to score in DFS on both ends of the ice.

Cody Ceci, Edmonton Oilers

Cody Ceci has a goal—the game-winner in Game 7 of the first round—and five assists in the postseason. He didn’t score a point against the Flames, but only one Oilers defenseman registered a point in the loss. However, he was able to churn out three shots on goal and a pair of blocked shots for another decent DFS day for a guy who costs next to nothing.

Ceci doesn’t play as many minutes as DFS players normally want from their blueliners, but he delivers pretty consistently. Outside of his Game 5 performance against the Los Angeles Kings, he’s been pretty effective this entire postseason at a bargain-basement price. He has three shots on goal in each of his last two games and has blocked five shots over that stretch. He’s a solid, inexpensive play in a series where everybody has a chance to pick up points.

Jacob Trouba, New York Rangers

Jacob Trouba is a little more expensive on most platforms than the other choices in this betting guide, but he still carries a tremendous amount of value. Trouba didn’t register a point in Game 1 but still put up a great number because he had three shots on goal and five blocked shots. He isn’t on the first unit, but he does get some power-play minutes, as well.

Jacob Trouba New York Rangers
Jacob Trouba, New York Rangers (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

During the regular season, Trouba had a goal and an assist in four games against the Hurricanes, averaging nearly 23 minutes of ice time. Those minutes are going to continue, and that means opportunity. He’ll remain a savvy play in this series as long as he keeps his decent salary because of his ability to block shots, and he’s certain to have a hand in some points as well.

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