NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Monday 12/11/23

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

Alexandar Georgiev, Colorado Avalanche ($8,400)

With only four games set for tonight's slate, it leaves us with minimal options. Alexandar Georgiev is ultimately the best goaltender to target as a result.

The Colorado Avalanche netminder has been their best option this year by far, playing in 22 of their 27 games.

Over his 22 starts, Georgiev has posted a 2.86 goals against average and .902 save percentage. To take it a step further, he's saved 1.67 goals above expectation (GSAx). None of his marks are necessarily outstanding, but it shows that he gets the job done.

Georgiev and the Avalanche will be taking on the underwhelming Calgary Flames tonight, giving Colorado a chance to shine. The Flames have a top-10 Corsi For per 60 minutes (63.45) but are only scoring 2.85 Goals For per 60 minutes, ranking bottom 10 in the NHL. That's the perfect mix for Georgiev to record fantasy points tonight.

numberFire's model has Georgiev projected for 22.0 FanDuel points -- the most of any goalie on tonight's slate.

Stacks

Dallas Stars

One of the best matchups of the night will see the Dallas Stars take on the Detroit Red Wings.

We're siding with the Stars when it comes to stacking up an offense. Dallas ranks in the middle of the league with a 61.14 Corsi For per 60 minutes while averaging an 8th-ranked 3.30 goals per 60 minutes. They also have the 8th-best power-play percentage in the NHL (23.7%). Their offense should thrive against the Red Wings.

On the other hand, Detroit has greatly struggled defensively this season despite their 14-8-4 record. They're sporting a 62.85 Corsi Against per 60 minutes -- 26th in the NHL. They also have a 77.8% penalty-kill percentage. There should be a slew of opportunities for the Stars to make noise on the ice tonight.

The Red Wings will be starting Ville Husso. He hasn't been great as his 3.65 goals against average and .886 save percentage display.

When firing up the Stars lineup, it's best to look to the revamped top line of Joe Pavelski ($7,300), Jason Robertson ($7,000), and Wyatt Johnston ($6,100). All three players top minutes while also participating on the first power-play unit.

Miro Heiskanen ($5,700) is worthy of consideration on the defensive end, too.

Colorado Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche remain one of the top teams in the NHL, making them a top stack for tonight's slate.

Colorado is coming in looking to get back on track after losing two straight. Unsurprisingly, the Avs hold 63.79 Corsi For per 60 minutes and 3.41 goals per 60 minutes; both marks rank as 7th-best in the NHL.

That should make for a tough matchup against the Calgary Flames, who've been bad at keeping pucks out of their net and won't even be sending out their top netminder for the tilt. Calgary is allowing the 12th-most goals per 60 minutes (3.28)

Dan Vladar will be in net and has been one of the worst goalies in hockey since the start of the 2023-24 campaign. Vladar has a 3.45 goals against average and .877 save percentage, but it gets worse with -4.11 goals saved above expectation (eighth-fewest in the NHL).

It's quite easy when it comes to stacking the Avalanche offense. Nathan MacKinnon ($10,400) enters the night as the top projected skater, per numberFire, at 22.0 FanDuel points. Add in Mikko Rantanen ($8,900) and Valeri Nichushkin ($6,900) to complete the top-line stack.

Often with Colorado, you're also rolling out Cale Makar ($8,700) with his difference-making on the defensive end. These core four remain the same tonight.

Value Skaters

Matt Duchene, C, Dallas Stars ($6,300)

There's been few fits as great as Matt Duchene has been for the Dallas Stars.

The second-line center has played strong minutes for the Stars, coming in at an average of 16:54 time on ice. In that time, he's recorded 57 shots in 25 games -- good for a cool 2.28 shots per game. His overall stats are broken down into 6 goals, 14 assists, and 20 points through 25 games.

Duchene's role is crucial for a value skater. He's been taking up the second-line center spot while also manning the middle for the Stars' top power-play unit.

numberFire's model has Duchene projected for 12.8 FanDuel points this evening.

Nick Schmaltz, W, Arizona Coyotes ($5,800)

Nick Schmaltz has been very productive for the Arizona Coyotes this season, and that makes him a good value for tonight.

Schmaltz skates on the first line alongside Clayton Keller and Jason Zucker, averaging the most time on ice in his career (20:12). He's taken advantage of that career-high opportunity, putting together 9 goals and 11 assists in 26 games.

The center also takes up a spot on the right wing within the Coyotes' top power play.

Schmaltz is projected for 13.8 FanDuel points tonight, per numberFire's model.

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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.