NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Thursday 11/2/23

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

Jonas Johansson, Tampa Bay Lightning ($8,300)

Taking over for Andrei Vasilevskiy is no easy feat, but Jonas Johansson is doing his best to fill those big shoes.

Johansson has gone 4-1-3 in his first eight starts as the starter, pulling together a .922 save percentage and 2.73 goals against average (GAA). He's been put exactly into the Vasilevskiy role, as he's played more minutes (484) than any other netminder in hockey.

His most impressive stat thus far has been his 7.43 goals saved above expectation (GSAx), which ranks second in the NHL. While the Lightning haven't been as dominant of a force as we're accustomed to, Johansson's play has helped keep them afloat in the first month.

Johansson and Tampa Bay will face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets -- an ideal matchup for any goaltender, especially in daily fantasy.

The Blue Jackets have put together some decent offensive numbers. Their offense isn't putting much up in the goal department -- just 2.51 goals per 60 minutes -- but they do create opportunities, with their 65.49 Corsi For per 60 minutes ranked seventh in the NHL. Shots are being created, but goals are not being scored, which is good news for Johansson's DFS outlook.

numberFire's model has Johansson projected for 20.6 FanDuel points -- tied for the most on the slate tonight.

Stacks

Tampa Bay Lightning

We're going with the Tampa Bay Lightning again, this time the offense.

A big reason that the Blue Jackets are still among the league's bottom tier is that their defense allows plenty of chances. Columbus has a 68.65 Corsi Against per 60 minutes, putting them bottom three in the league defensively. It doesn't stop there. They also have a bottom-10 goals against average at 3.27 per 60 minutes -- which is actually better than their clip of 3.61 expected goals against per 60, a bottom-five mark in the NHL.

Elvis Merzlikins will be between the pipes tonight, another sign that the Lightning should have their way. Merzlikins is under the .900 mark once again in terms of save percentage, putting up a .898 save percentage to go along with a 3.14 GAA. Nothing to sweat in this one.

We're firing up two offensive duos for Tampa Bay, starting with their first-line pairing of Nikita Kucherov ($9,500) and Brayden Point ($7,800). The second-line pairing of Steven Stamkos ($7,400) and Nick Paul ($4,200) can also be considered with all four players playing on the top power-play unit for the Lightning.

The only other skater to consider would be Victor Hedman ($6,200). Hedman is averaging a point per game (1 goal, 8 assists) and has 20 shots on goal.

Edmonton Oilers

The Edmonton Oilers haven't been the offensive powerhouse that they were just a year ago, but they still have the right players in a position to make a dent on any night.

They'll be taking on the Dallas Stars. I know what you're thinking -- is this really a stackable matchup? It sure is when Jake Oettinger is expected to be on the bench in favor of Scott Wedgewood -- which gives the Oilers a leg up.

In just two starts, Wedgewood has a -1.73 GSAx and 3.54 GAA. He's a clear step down from Oettinger, making the Oilers a very appealing stack.

Edmonton has a 3.49 implied total on the night, the second-best of any team on the 12-game slate.

If you can make the salaries work, getting Connor McDavid ($10,000) and Leon Draisaitl ($9,900) out there is your best bet with how dominant they are offensively. Since their salaries are so high, however, you'll likely need to look for other options on this team. Zach Hyman ($7,500) and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($7,100) offer some value as they take over on the second line while also benefiting from being on the top power play -- a power play that was the best in hockey last year and performed at a historic rate.

If you're stacking any form of these four, it can make for a good night.

Value Skaters

Andrei Kuzmenko, W, Vancouver Canucks ($5,000)

For the second time this week, we're going with Andrei Kuzmenko as a value skater.

Kuzmenko has shown to be a key part of the Vancouver Canucks' offense -- getting usage on their top line alongside Elias Pettersson and Ilya Mikheyev. He's also on the top power play, which is averaging 9.74 goals per 60, ranking seventh overall.

The 27-year-old has 2 goals and 5 assists in 9 games while putting 16 shots on goal. He's averaging 15:28 time on ice, as well.

The Canucks will be facing the winless San Jose Sharks, and Vancouver enters the night with a 3.22 implied total. Roll with Kuzmenko, especially if you're stacking the Oilers' top guys and need to save some salary.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Washington Capitals ($4,400)

Considering how important of a role he plays, Evgeny Kuznetsov has a pretty low salary, giving him a chance to be a quality value play.

Kuznetsov centers the second line of the Washington Capitals with Sonny Milano and T.J. Oshie on his wings. He's also on the wing of the first power play, giving him the elite playing time that you're looking for -- especially from a value cog.

The center is averaging huge time-on-ice numbers at 21:54 -- top five in the NHL among forwards. The points aren't huge by any means as he's got only one goal and four assists in eight games. But with 22 shots on net, he should be able to find his second goal sooner rather than later.

Washington is taking on a tough New York Islanders team, but at this low salary, Kuznetsov is worth running out in DFS lineups.

numberFire's model has Kuznetsov projected for 12.4 FanDuel points.

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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.