NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Friday 1/26/24

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.

NHL DFS Picks

Goalie to Target

Joey Daccord, Seattle Kraken ($8,000)

Joey Daccord has been the surprise of the season for the Seattle Kraken and is our goalie to target tonight.

Frankly, Daccord has been one of the best goalies this year despite his unmemorable record of 14-8-8. Through 28 starts (31 games), the netminder has posted a 2.32 goals against average and .922 save percentage -- both ranking in the top five among NHL goalies. He also ranks fifth with 16.6 goals saved above expectation, putting him at the top with the elite goalies around the league.

He should have a workable matchup tonight when the Kraken take on the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis hasn't been a quality offensive team this year, registering just a 55.61 Corsi and 2.83 goals per 60 minutes. However, they have been able to average 29.1 shots on goal per 60, which is a good enough number to feed Daccord some save points for DFS lineups. They're trending down, too; The Blues have averaged just 2.66 goals per game over their last 10 tilts.

numberFire's model has Daccord projected to finish as the top goaltender of the night, expecting him to record 23.3 FanDuel points.

Stacks

Colorado Avalanche

With so few teams to choose from on the four-game slate, let's go with one of hockey's best in the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs have been at the top of the NHL for the entire season up until this point, bringing great offensive numbers seemingly every night. Colorado has the seventh-ranked Corsi per 60 minutes (63.46) and lead the league at 3.78 goals per 60. Scoring at such a high level is what they do, and expect that to continue against a Los Angeles Kings team that is still struggling.

While Los Angeles only allows 2.54 goals against per 60 minutes on the season, that number has been inflated over their last 10 games to 3.24 -- making room for success in Colorado tonight. The Kings will send out goalie journeyman David Rittich. He's been far better than expected in eight games (1.76 GAA, .930 save percentage), but his career stats of a 2.82 goals against average and .905 save percentage shine a brighter light on what to expect.

Heading into the game, the Avalanche have the best implied total of the slate (3.49), per numberFire's heat map.

When stacking the Avs, it doesn't get overly complicated. The top line of Nathan MacKinnon ($10,700), Mikko Rantanen ($10,100), and Jonathan Drouin ($5,200) is your best option despite the high salaries on MacKinnon and Rantanen. Cale Makar ($9,000) is always worth considering from the blue line, too.

Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers have become one of the best offenses in the NHL.

Florida has dominated in their opponent's end throughout the 2023-24 season. In their first 47 games, the Panthers are sporting an NHL-leading 69.79 Corsi per 60 minutes. The goal scoring hasn't been to the same level considering they rank just 12th in goals per 60 minutes (3.21), but they are averaging 4.05 goals per 60 in their last 10 outings. They're hot right noiw.

The Panthers will be facing off with the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight. Based on what we've seen from them this season, the Penguins are not an easy team to crack. They're only letting up 2.65 goals per 60 minutes, but it has kicked up to 2.88 over their last 10. The Penguins also have a 59.01 Corsi against per 60 minutes (18th in hockey).

numberFire's heat map has the Panthers at a 3.43 implied total -- the second-best on the schedule.

Unlike most teams, the Panthers utilize their top players up and down the lineup. Stacking them should start with the second line pairing of Matthew Tkachuk ($8,800) and Carter Verhaeghe ($8,600); they're both featured on the top power play. Sam Reinhart ($10,000) and Aleksander Barkov ($8,900) are names to consider, but they're also separated to other lines, making a stack difficult. Brandon Montour ($5,700) is a potential option on the defensive end.

Value Skaters

Oliver Bjorkstrand, W, Seattle Kraken ($6,100)

Looking for values on a four-game slate can be tough, but Oliver Bjorkstrand is a good option for tonight.

Bjorkstrand has been excellent for the Kraken this season. He's been their best scoring forward and tied to be their leading overall scorer with Vince Dunn. The 28-year-old is sporting 12 goals and 24 assists -- good for 36 points through his first 47 games of the campaign.

It's been two games since Bjorkstrand recorded a point and six since scoring a goal, so he's due to get back on the board for the Kraken in a matchup against the Blues. He's averaging 2.64 shots per game, so he has the numbers to get back in the goal column sooner than later.

numberFire's model is projecting the Kraken's winger to record 12.6 FanDuel points.

Quinton Byfield, W, Los Angeles Kings ($5,300)

Quinton Byfield is on a roll right now, and we're going to lean on him once again.

The former No. 2 pick has registered a point in his last three games -- two goals and two assists. Overall, Byfield has potted 14 goals and dished 20 assists, totaling 34 points in what has been his breakout season for the Kings.

His role is one of the best you can get for a value salary. Byfield has been bumped back to the first line with Anze Kopitar and Adrian Kempe while also skating on the first power-play unit.

The Kings' winger is projected for 11.0 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.