Counterattack - Expect a Sharp Performance from a Struggling Star
Here are the top low-ownership plays for Saturday, February 20:
LW/RW Patrick Sharp, Stars (vs. Bruins)
Sharp hasn't scored since January 3 against the New York Islanders and has only registered two helpers in his last nine games. This will lead him to being virtually unowned.
For the majority of this cold streak, Sharp was off of Dallas' top line in favor of Patrick Eaves. Now back playing alongside Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, expect Sharp to light the lamp like he was earlier in the season.
C Anze Kopitar, Kings (at Predators)
Editor's note: Kopitar appears doubtful to play.
Kopitar left Thursday's game against the Blues with an apparent lower body injury and did not return. His situation will need to be monitored, but if he plays, he makes for a great contrarian.
Before playing only five minutes in Thursday's contest, Kopitar was on a roll, with 11 points in his last nine games. Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne has not been the same netminder he was a year ago, posting an extremely mediocre .902 save percentage.
D Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Coyotes (vs. Blues)
Ekman-Larsson's name doesn't usually come up when discussions regarding the league's top defenseman are had - though it should. The Swede has 17 goals and 45 points in 57 games this season and is a major reason why Arizona has been respectable this season.
Playing in a small market may be part of the reason why he's underrated, but it's good news for DFSers as his price reflects that theory. Despite his strong play all season long, Ekman-Larsson will be faded with his matchup against St. Louis. With 11 points in his last seven games, Ekman-Larsson makes for a great against-the-grain play.
G Cory Schneider, Devils (at Capitals)
Schneider is another player who doesn't get the respect he deserves around the league - probably because he plays for the small market Devils. Schneider's impressive play (2.06 GAA and .928 save percentage) puts him in the Hart Trophy conversation. His strong performances all year is the main reason why New Jersey isn't a lottery team.
He'll be heavily faded against the high-flying Capitals. Though it's unlikely he picks up the win, Schneider could easily face 40-50 shots. Even if he allows two or three goals, he would still return value if he indeed faces this many shots.