NHL DFS Sleeper Picks (Saturday 10/5/19)
Consider rostering these options on DraftKings tonight
Center: Casey Mittelstadt ($3,000)
Sabres (-115) vs. Devils
Mittelstadt, who was drafted eighth overall in 2017, had a slow start to training camp, but notched two assists – one at even strength and one on the power play – in just 9:25 of ice time in a 3-1 win at Pittsburgh in the season opener. He’ll likely skate between Conor Sheary and Jimmy Vesey again on Saturday when the Sabres play their home opener vs. New Jersey, which played at home on Friday. Mittelstadt is a speedy skater and his shot is heavy. He produced 12 goals and 25 points in 77 games last season but is expected to produce more as a sophomore.
Winger: James Neal ($4,700)
Oilers (-150) vs. Kings
Neal is looking to rebound from a humbling seven-goal campaign last season in Calgary. Oilers Head coach Dave Tippett, who coached Neal when both were with the Dallas Stars, believes playing him with Edmonton’s offensive stars will serve Neal, who notched 10 consecutive 20-goal seasons before 2018-19, well. Look for him on a line with either Connor McDavid or Ryan Nugent-Hopkins on Saturday vs. Los Angeles. Neal delivered four hits in his Oilers debut on Wednesday.
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Defenseman: Anthony DeAngelo ($3,500)
Rangers (-130) at Senators
DeAngelo notched an assist in 20:07 of ice time, including 1:59 on the power play, in New York’s 6-4 win over Winnipeg on Thursday. Another high-scoring game is expected on Saturday when the Rangers play at Ottawa. DeAngelo established himself as an NHL defenseman last season, and the Rangers now are seeking consistency from the 2014 first-round draft pick already playing for his third NHL team. He’ll likely get lots of ice time against the Sens, who appear poised for yet another terrible season.
Goalie: David Rittich ($8,100)
Flames (-185) vs. Canucks
Rittich looked just OK in Calgary’s 5-3, season-opening loss at Colorado on Thursday; he stopped just 27 of 31 shots. Look for him to rebound in the home opener vs. Vancouver on Saturday. Rittich has taken over as Calgary’s No. 1 goalie after Mike Smith departed for Edmonton. The pressure is on, however, as Cam Talbot is waiting in the background for a chance to be an NHL starter again. Rittich has never lost to the Canucks (1-0-2) and his goals-against average against them is 2.24.
