NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 10/17/23

NHL DFS is similar to MLB in terms of how you build lineups, how you view stacking, and how to value players.

Two main points to always focus on in NHL DFS are what lines the players are on and making sure the goalies you are rostering are confirmed as the starters.

Two of the best resources for that are LeftWingLock.com and DailyFaceOff.com. That is where you can find updated forward and power-play lines for each team, along with which goalies are confirmed as the starters.

Let's jump in and take a look at today's slate, find a goalie, some stacks, and some value plays for your NHL DFS lineups on FanDuel.

Goalie to Target

Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders ($8,500)

With a big nine-game slate for today, we're leaning toward Ilya Sorokin as the goalie to target.

There's an argument to be made that Sorokin is the best netminder in the league today. While he didn't win the Vezina Trophy last year, his numbers were off the charts, as he led the league in goals saved above expected (GSAx) with a whopping 51.36 -- nearly six more than the second-best between the pipes.

So far this season, Sorokin has a .929 save percentage and 2.01 goals against average (GAA) in his lone start. That's pretty in line with his .924 save percentage and 2.34 GAA from last year, so even in the small sample size, he seems to be in his usual form.

Sorokin will be getting the Arizona Coyotes in the second game of a back-to-back, only making this play all the more appetizing for DFS lineups. Arizona mustered all of one goal in their game against Igor Shesterkin and the New York Rangers, so a back-to-back against two of the best goalies in the game is sure to continue their bad offensive numbers we saw last year (48.78 Corsi For per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations; 2.7 goals for per 60 minutes).

Lock in Sorokin for lineups.

Stacks

Carolina Hurricanes

As we should get used to with the Carolina Hurricanes, they have the best implied total of the day at 4.03. This sets their lineup up for success and makes them the top stacking option of the day as a result.

The Hurricanes have already played three times this season, and goals have not been tough to find. They've totaled 14 goals, including the first two games of the season where they scored 5 and 6, respectively.

There's no doubt they can continue that against the San Jose Sharks and their goaltender Mackenzie Blackwood.

Blackwood had a strong start to his season, making a miraculous 51 saves in an overtime loss. A great start for sure, but Blackwood's track record proves that Carolina should have no problem beating him. Playing for a playoff team in the New Jersey Devils, he finished with a .893 save percentage and 3.20 GAA.

Fire up the Hurricanes in a stack, starting with their top line.

Sebastian Aho ($7,200), Seth Jarvis ($5,600), and Michael Bunting ($5,100) take that first line, making them the must-play. They also occupy the top line of the Hurricanes' power play, making these three all the more tempting for a correlated stack to maximize potential.

On the backend, Brent Burns ($7,100) is a great option against his former team. He averages 24:02 TOI and often puts a lot of shots on net, averaging 3.11 a game last year. He, too, is on the top power play, making him one of the best choices today at defense.

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche are always a good option in daily fantasy, and today is no different.

The Avs enter tonight with the second-best implied total, sitting at 3.52 as they face off with the Seattle Kraken.

Former Colorado netminder Philipp Grubauer will start for the Kraken. Grubauer hasn't been everything the Kraken were hoping for when they spent big money on him a few offseasons ago to be their guy.

Last season, he finished with a -9.32 goals saved above average (GSAA) while also sporting a sub-.900 save percentage for his second straight season (and the second time in his career). He's 0-2-0 for the Kraken this year -- even if his play has been up (.918; 2.55) -- and his former team should have no problem getting pucks past him once more.

Through their first two wins, the Avalanche have a league-leading 82.08 Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes. Their offense is working like no other team in hockey. It's an insane rate where you want to get a piece and reap the benefits.

In terms of where to stack this lineup, Nathan MacKinnon ($10,500) and Mikko Rantanen ($9,800) are two of your best options, as they occupy spots on the top line and top power play. If you're looking for budget, Artturi Lehkonen ($6,000) and Ryan Johansen ($4,500) get run on the second line and the top power play, as well, giving them some legs to put up numbers in this ideal matchup.

Cale Makar ($7,800) already has three points through his first two games of the season. It doesn't get much better on the defensive side of DFS than Makar thanks to his scoring prowess. He should find a way into your lineup if you're stacking the Avs.

Value Skaters

Kyle Connor, W, Winnipeg Jets ($5,500)

Kyle Connor is an incredible value considering what he brings to the table.

The speedster is an elite goalscorer, having scored 30 or more goals in five of his last six seasons, with one 47-goal season to throw in there. Connor already has three goals in two games as well as an assist to go with it. He's managed to put 12 shots on goal already in the young campaign.

Add in the 21:55 TOI and time on the top power-play unit to solidify that the $5,500 salary makes him perhaps the best value of any on the day.

numberFire's model has Connor projected for 17.3 FanDuel points, ranking in the top 10 on the nine-game slate.

Kevin Fiala, W, Los Angeles Kings ($5,200)

Kevin Fiala and the Los Angeles Kings have not had the start they expected but will look to get on track against the Winnipeg Jets.

The Kings dropped their second game in a shootout to the Hurricanes by a score of 6-5. The positive to take from that game was that Fiala was able to dish three assists. He may take part on the second line, but he runs on the top power-play unit, making him a real value at $5,200. He's averaging 18:58 TOI -- two more minutes than his career average thus far.

He's still looking for his first goal of the season, and truthfully, he's due. Furthermore, he has 1.12 expected goals per 60 minutes but has yet to find the back of the net on his first seven shots. With his ability to pass, previous goal scoring (20-plus goals in four straight seasons), and the Kings' offensive numbers being top 10 to start the year (67.2 Corsi For per 60 minutes), he should be able to put together another good effort.

The 3.13 implied total against the Jets is middle-of-the-road for Los Angeles today.

Fiala is projected for 13.6 FanDuel points, per numberFire.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.