NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Friday 11/3/23

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.

NHL DFS Picks

Goalie to Target

Devon Levi or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Buffalo Sabres ($7,800/$7,500)

With just two games on tonight's slate, we're going with the Buffalo Sabres goalie to start -- whether it's Devon Levi or Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

Levi hasn't made a start since October 19 due to injury but was able to return to practice this week and will play in one of the back-to-back efforts tonight or tomorrow. The netminder was struggling to start his early season, posting a -0.27 goals saved above expectation (GSAx) with a 3.26 goals against average (GAA) and .892 save percentage. Now that he's returned from injury, he's a fine fit with the other matchups not being all too intriguing.

If Luukkonen is in the net, then it's a level up and makes him an even more substantial "must-play" as the top target. Buffalo's goalie has impressed with Levi's struggles and absence. With a 1.92 GSAx to go along with a strong 2.60 GAA and .926 save percentage, Luukkonen has lifted the Sabres in the early season.

Buffalo will be taking on the Philadelphia Flyers tonight. The Flyers rank 13th of the NHL with a 3.19 goals per 60 minutes and 61.17 Corsi For (Total Shots Attempts Created) per 60 minutes -- making them a tough team but not one to to shy away from. This is the ideal matchup of the night for the potential of making a number of saves and earning the victory over the 4-5-1 Flyers.

numberFire's model projects Luukkonen to get the start, expecting him to finish with 13.7 FanDuel points.

Stacks

New Jersey Devils

On a day with just four teams playing, we're siding with the New Jersey Devils to stack tonight.

The Devils are easily the best offense of the four considering they've largely dominated this season. New Jersey has posted a 66.65 Corsi For per 60 minutes -- the fifth best in the league. It only gets better for them, scoring the second-most goals per 60 minutes (4.17) on paper.

They'll be facing off with the St. Louis Blues -- as welcoming of an opponent as there can be. St. Louis has the eight-worst Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) at 65.14. This is the perfect mix for the Devils even if the Blues are starting Jordan Binnington, who has been a main reason for them totaling a 2.82 goals against per 60 average.

Binnington has had a good start to the year with a 2.77 GSAx and .916 save percentage. However, considering his track record the last few seasons, the Devils should be able to score. New Jersey has the second-best implied total on the night (3.51).

numberFire's top-two projected offensive players on the night are Jack Hughes ($10,200) and Tyler Toffoli ($7,900), making them the top plays of the night. They're both paired on the top line with Timo Meier ($6,900) while also joining them on the top power play. Fire up the key two with Meier being a good value to put together their top line stack.

Dougie Hamilton ($6,800) is the top defender of the night. Through 9 games, he's put 31 shots on goal and has recorded 7 points (4 goals and 3 assists). He should be a favorite in DFS lineups, as well.

Value Skaters

Alex Tuch, W, Buffalo Sabres ($6,200)

A $6,200 salary isn't always a value but with it being a short night, it is tonight, so we're rolling with Alex Tuch.

Tuch has a four-game point streak going right now, having recorded six points over the time period. He's got 7 points in total over 10 games, putting 20 shots on goal as a key part of the Sabres offense.

After a day of maintenance put his play into question, Tuch will slot right back into the third line and top power play for the Sabres tonight. He's averaging 18:06 time on ice -- making him an even better play as a value to accumulate defensive stats.

Tuch scored 36 goals one year ago so with just a single tally in 10 games, he's beyond due to get another score sooner than later.

numberFire's model has Tuch projected for 16.0 FanDuel points tonight.

Luke Hughes, D, New Jersey Devils ($5,000)

Luke Hughes has impressed already in his rookie campaign, and it feels as though it's just the beginning for him.

Hughes is currently tied for second in rookie points with seven after putting up a goal and seven assists in his first nine games in 2023-24. His usage for the Devils still isn't top defenseman numbers as he's on their third line of defens, but he does play on the Devils' lead power play -- giving him all the scoring opportunities you're looking for in DFS.

The 20-year-old rookie is averaging 19:55 time on ice and is off to a hot start; ride the wave with him tonight with the Devils being our top stack. Why not add another to it on a budget?

Hughes' 2.66 value score in numberFire's model is second-best overall on tonight's slate, and he's projected for 13.3 FanDuel points.

Looking to play some NHL Daily Fantasy? Check out the NHL DFS lobby on FanDuel.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.