NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Friday 1/6/24

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

Pyotr Kochetkov, Carolina Hurricanes ($7,900)

The goaltending situation for the Carolina Hurricanes has been a storyline all season. They have great underlying numbers as a team, but a lot of their play is being undone by weak goaltending. They have the second-worst team save percentage in the NHL.

They may have found the goalie they're going to roll with this season in Pyotr Kochetkov ($7,900). He has won his last three starts, allowing two goals or fewer in all of them.

He'll get a good matchup tonight against the Washington Capitals. Despite having perhaps the best goal scorer of all time in Alex Ovechkin, Washington has struggled to score goals all year. They average the third-fewest goals per game in the NHL and the sixth-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes.

If Kochetkov really is on track, this $7,900 salary is a bit low. He makes for a great great goalie to use tonight.

Stacks

New Jersey Devils

The New Jersey Devils average the sixth-most goals per game and are in a dream spot tonight.

Jack Hughes ($10,000) has been one of the best players in the league this season. He's averaging 1.45 points per game, the fourth-most in the NHL. He's playing with Jesper Bratt ($8,400), who is second on the team with 43 points in 36 games. Tyler Toffoli ($6,300) is a bargain for this salary; he's tied for the team lead with 15 goals.

These three will play on New Jersey's top power play, which ranks as the best in the league with a 30.6% success rate. They'll be going up against the league's 27th-ranked penalty kill from the Chicago Blackhawks.

Chicago also allows the second-most goals per game and is playing on the second night of a back-to-back. They've also allowed the sixth-most expected goals and second-most high-danger chances on a per-60-minute basis.

The Devils have a whopping 4.23 goal implied team total tonight, so their first line is definitely one to target.

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets were disappointing last night in a good matchup. They'll get another opportunity to deliver for us in fantasy tonight.

Winnipeg made some changes to their lines before last night's game. They've slid Mark Scheifele ($7,600) to the second line. He's now playing with Alex Iafallo ($4,900) and Cole Perfetti ($5,600). Scheifele leads the team with 25 assists in 37 points, and should be able to get a tune out of his two wingers. Scheifele and Iafallo play together on the first power-play unit, as well.

Winnipeg will play the Anaheim Ducks tonight. Anaheim allows the second-most expected goals and fourth-most high danger chances per 60 minutes.

The Jets have an implied team total of 3.66 goals. The second line is easier to fit into lineups because it includes two centers and a wing instead of three wingers like the first line. So, that will be our target tonight.

Value Skaters

Trevor Zegras, C, Anaheim Ducks ($4,100)

It hasn't been a good year for Trevor Zegras ($4,100). He has just 5 points in 17 games, and his reputation has suffered because of his weak defensive play.

Now that his salary has fallen to this point, we can jump back in on him. He's playing close to 18 minutes a game and is on the Ducks' first power play.

The Jets will likely be going with Laurent Brossoit in net, a downgrade from normal starter Connor Hellebuyck. Anaheim should be able to score in this game, and Zegras could be at the heart of that.

Simon Nemec, D, New Jersey Devils ($4,200)

The second overall pick in the 2022 draft, Simon Nemec ($4,200), has started off his NHL career in impressive fashion.

He hasn't translated it much to fantasy success yet, but he's worth taking a flier on at this salary. He's on the second power play unit for a team projected to score at least four goals tonight. For just $4,200, I'd find a way to get Nemec in my lineups tonight.

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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.