NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Thursday 12/14/23

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

Filip Gustavsson, Minnesota Wild ($7,500)

The eight-game slate gives us a slew of options in net, but none stand out more tonight than Filip Gustavsson.

Gustavsson and the Minnesota Wild will take on the Calgary Flames in a Western Conference battle. The reasoning for siding with Gustavsson is due to his recent play but also the overall struggles of the Flames' offense.

After a shaky start to his 2023-24 campaign, Gustavsson has pieced together a middle-of-the-road 3.05 goals against average and .900 save percentage. Over his last five starts, Gustavsson has been really strong between the pipes, allowing two goals or fewer in each game, which includes a shutout in his most recent outing.

Mix that recent trend with a Flames team that is only scoring 2.96 Goals For per 60 minutes to get why this should be a fine night for the Wild's netminder. Calgary has been able to create chances with their 8th-ranked 63.14 Corsi For per 60 minutes, which can turn into plenty of saves and big points for Gustavsson by night's end.

numberFire's model believes in Gustavsson, predicting the goalie to finish with 20.9 FanDuel points, the second-best on the slate.

Stacks

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are in the driver's seat to have a big game.

Toronto will face off with the Columbus Blue Jackets in an inviting tilt for offensive numbers. The Blue Jackets are giving up offensive opportunities left and right, coming into the game with a 68.99 Corsi Against per 60 minutes, the 3rd-worst mark in the entire NHL. Columbus is also allowing the third-most Goals Against per 60 minutes at a 3.47 clip.

As you'd expect with the firepower of the Maple Leafs, they're a top offensive unit. Toronto ranks only 14th with their 61.26 Corsi For per 60 minutes but are up to 3.36 Goals For per 60 minutes, which ranks 9th. With a sixth-best power play (25.0%), it'll be good to see what the Maple Leafs can muster up. They've scored three goals in six straight games.

Spencer Martin is expected in net for the Blue Jackets. It's an ideal time to get him, too, as he allowed seven goals in his last game and has an overall 3.57 goals against average and .892 save percentage. Martin's start makes way for an even bigger night for the Leafs.

Stacking the Maple Leafs often means going with Auston Matthews ($10,300) and William Nylander ($10,000). Seeing how steep their salaries are, it's unlikely you can go with both options for DFS lineups, so look to the second line, as well. John Tavares ($8,100) and Mitchell Marner ($7,500) are quality selections with their usage on the top power play.

Carolina Hurricanes

Our second team worth stacking is the Carolina Hurricanes against the Detroit Red Wings.

Carolina has been a top offensive team for much of the campaign. Every game, they storm in with chances, as illustrated by their league-leading 72.06 Corsi For per 60 minutes. That has translated to 3.22 Goals For per 60 minutes, good for 11th in the NHL.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings are getting rocked defensively. Detroit has allowed teams to put together a 63.43 Corsi Against per 60 minutes (sixth-worst). Further amplifying why the Hurricanes are a great choice tonight, see the 3.25 Goals Against that the Red Wings are also allowing.

The Hurricanes have the second-best implied team total, coming in at 3.58, per numberFire's heat map.

Detroit's goalie Ville Husso has been bad, posting a 3.68 goals against average and .886 save percentage. Husso has allowed four or more goals in the last three games -- totaling 14 overall.

In terms of stacking this Hurricane offense, your best bet will be in the form of Sebastian Aho ($7,700) and Seth Jarvis ($5,700). They're paired together on the top line and power play, giving them the most potential to deliver.

Value Skaters

Matthew Boldy, W, Minnesota Wild ($5,900)

It's tough not to love Matthew Boldy at this salary tonight, making him our top value of the entire slate.

Boldy has been a key contributor for the Wild this season -- arguably being their best player. With the lines of Minnesota recently being shaken up, he is now paired on the top line with Joel Eriksson Ek and Kirill Kaprizov.

Considering that he's also on the top power-play unit, it's near-elite usage for Boldy even while averaging only 16:54 time on ice.

Through his first 19 games, Boldy has put together a total of 7 goals, 9 assists, and 16 points while averaging 2.74 shots per game. That's exactly what we want out of any value play, so he should be a perfect choice tonight.

numberFire's model is projecting Boldy for 14.6 FanDuel points against the Flames.

Vladimir Tarasenko, W, Ottawa Senators ($5,300)

Vladimir Tarasenko has had an encouraging start to his first season with the Ottawa Senators.

The forward has totaled 19 points on 6 goals and 13 assists, playing on the second line alongside Tim Stutzle and Drake Batherson. Tarasenko has an average of 16:18 time on ice while putting up 2.04 shots per night.

Ottawa will be facing a St. Louis Blues team that has been through it this year, with head coach Craig Berube having just been fired. They're allowing a 62.0 Corsi Against, so Tarasenko and company should be able to get it done.

Tarasenko is projected for 14.7 FanDuel points, per numberFire.

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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.