NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Sunday 2/18/24

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.

Using our projections -- which are powered by numberFire -- as a guide, let's take a look at today's slate to find a goalie, some stacks, and value plays for your NHL DFS lineups on FanDuel.

NHL DFS Picks

Goalie to Target

Ilya Sorokin, New York Islanders ($7,400)

Don't look now, but Patrick Roy has turned the New York Islanders into a significantly improved hockey club.

Over the past 30 days, the Isles are allowing the 11th-fewest expected goals (xG) per 60 minutes (2.83), and their defense has been even stronger as Ilya Sorokin ($7,400), a contender for last year's Vezina Trophy, has regained his form. He's posted 4.87 goals saved above expectation (GSAx) in the same time period, which is 16th of 64 qualifiers.

Unlike some, I'm not really anticipating the New York Rangers to get to him here. They're just 22nd in xG per 60 minutes (2.86) over the past 30 days themselves.

Sorokin is tabbed for just 14.1 FanDuel points by FanDuel Research's NHL player projections, but I'll take the over on that mark. Plus, his friendly salary is helpful with some of the league's best stacks still on this three-game main slate.

Stack

Pittsburgh Penguins

A struggling goaltender should make for a spot where the Pittsburgh Penguins can shake off some of their recent struggles.

Pittsburgh recently lost Jake Guentzel to injured reserve, leaving their offense in a precarious position most nights. This might not be one of them. Hosting a Los Angeles Kings squad that played yesterday, the Pens get to fire at Cam Talbot on the back-to-back. Talbot's -7.56 GSAx in the past month ranked 63rd of the 64 qualifying goalies. Yikes.

For the time being, Guentzel's absence has somewhat upgraded their case in DFS with lower salaries. Sidney Crosby ($8,700) now plays with Bryan Rust ($6,800) and Rickard Rakell ($5,000) in all ice conditions, joined by second-liners Evgeni Malkin ($6,700) and Reilly Smith ($4,200) on the power play. Of course, defensemen Kris Letang ($6,000) and Erik Karlsson ($5,800) will frequently be behind some combo of these forwards.

I actually expect the Rangers and Colorado Avalanche to be more popular targets despite the Pens' 3.33-goal implied team total. I prefer them to the reeling Avs in this spot.

Value Skaters

Drew Doughty, D, Los Angeles Kings ($5,800)

I wouldn't rule out the Kings keeping a bit of pace, though.

Tristan Jarry's hot start has cooled to just 1.04 GSAx in the past 30 days, and the Pens' aging lineup has struggled with defense a majority of the season despite an improved 2.55 xG per 60 minutes allowed in the same period. Recent dates with the Winnipeg Jets (twice), Minnesota Wild, and Montreal Canadiens can do that for you.

I just continue to be amazed I can snag Drew Doughty ($5,800) at this low salary on nearly every main slate. L.A.'s lack of blue-line depth has Doughty logging 25:04 TOI in February. He's added nine shots on goal in four games this month.

FDR has Doughty projected for 10.3 FanDuel points. Given his role on the Kings' top power-play unit, I prefer him to Karlsson when stacking the same contest.

Jonathan Drouin, W, Colorado Avalanche ($4,500)

The Avalanche will turn some heads today with an implied total approaching 4.00 goals, but this Colorado team just isn't the version that won a cup in 2022.

Over the past 30 days, the Avs are just 15th in xG per 60 minutes (3.12) while allowing the most (3.67) in the entire NHL. At the very least, that does ease some blowout concerns in this home matchup with the Arizona Coyotes.

However, regardless of team form, there's no way I'd pass on a winger of Nathan MacKinnon ($10,500) and Cale Makar ($8,500) in all ice conditions at a sub-$5,000 salary, and that's Jonathan Drouin ($4,500).

The former No. 3 pick has made fairly good on that role with three points in six games this month -- and a TOI average (20:04) that implies more scoring will come when the Avs turn it around.

Drouin is FDR's third overall projected wing at 12.0 FanDuel points. He's ostensibly a no-brainer at this salary on such a small slate.

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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.