NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Tuesday 2/20/24
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
Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights ($8,600)
Adin Hill has been nearly unbeatable in net for the Vegas Golden Knights, so it's only right that we target him tonight as our goalie for DFS lineups.
The Golden Knights' goaltender has a 14-4-2 record through 21 starts. In those 21 starts, he's posted an impressive 2.06 goals against average and .931 save percentage -- both of which lead the NHL. Keeping the puck out of the net is the name of the game for goalies, and that's what Hill does so well.
Vegas will be facing the Nashville Predators tonight in a matchup that should work to Hill's favor. The Predators have done well at creating shots for themselves, averaging 29.11 Shots For per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Even with that number and a middle-of-the-road 59.4 Corsi For per 60 minutes, Nashville is scoring only 2.26 Goals For per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations -- which ranks 27th in hockey.
Our projections expect Hill to deliver big tonight, projecting him for 21.7 FanDuel points -- the most of any goaltender on the eight-game slate.
Stacks
Los Angeles Kings
The Los Angeles Kings have found their footing after a long stretch of struggles, riding a three-game winning streak and winning five of their last six games.
Los Angeles will face a bad Columbus Blue Jackets team tonight, which sets them up as the top stack on the slate. The Blue Jackets have a 65.71 Corsi Against per 60 minutes, the third-worst mark in the NHL, which is certainly great news for the Kings. Those opportunities are turning into goals for Columbus' opponents, as teams are recording 3.64 Goals Against per 60 minutes -- the second highest tally in the NHL this season -- versus the Blue Jackets.
As we've seen with the Kings, they have the skills to be a top offensive team. What they've done a great job of this year is creating chances on offense, sporting a 66.28 Corsi For per 60 minutes. Their recent struggles have brought down their Goals For per 60 minutes total to 3.05, but they can still fill the net in an ideal matchup like this one.
When stacking the Kings, it's best to roll with their top line duo of Adrian Kempe ($7,400) and Anze Kopitar ($6,900). Kempe is a gifted scorer, recording 47 points in 53 games this season. He and Kopitar should slot in well against Elvis Merzlikins, who has a 3.21 goals against average this year.
Other options to consider include second-line duo of Kevin Fiala ($7,200) and Viktor Arvidsson ($6,400). They both play on the first power-play unit along with Kempe and Kopitar.
Florida Panthers
There isn't a hotter team in the NHL right now than the Florida Panthers, and it's a big reason to prioritize them today.
Heading into the night with the second-best implied total (3.85) -- per numberFire's heat map -- Florida sets up for a high-value outing against the Ottawa Senators. The Panthers have nabbed five-straight victories and have scored 26 goals in that span. With the Panthers going against a Senators group that is allowing 3.55 Goals Against per 60 minutes, it's a perfect matchup for a team this good.
Overall, Florida has the second-best Corsi For per 60 minutes (69.35) and are scoring at a rate of 3.32 Goals For per 60 minutes. They're also averaging the most Shots For per 60 minutes at a 33.79 clip. They're easy to love tonight.
The stack you want from Florida revolves around the Panthers' first line. Sam Reinhart ($9,200), Carter Verhaeghe ($8,700), and Aleksander Barkov ($8,300) get the first-line minutes coupled with being on the top power play, giving them all the juice to have a big night in DFS.
Value Skaters
Artturi Lehkonen, W, Colorado Avalanche ($5,100)
Artturi Lehkonen has become an essential value skater with his role and output on the Colorado Avalanche.
The winger has played in only 21 games, but he's put together 15 points in these games via 6 goals and 9 assists. Over his last three games, he's got six points alone and is in the driver's seat for more tonight against the Vancouver Canucks.
He has a major role, averaging 18:25 time on ice with a gig on the right wing of the second line and recently getting placed on the first power-play unit with Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and others. That's the type of spot to make an impact.
Our projections expect Lehkonen to finish with 11.9 FanDuel points.
Evan Rodrigues, W, Florida Panthers ($4,600)
Speaking of the Panthers, there's a great value option in their lineup tonight -- Evan Rodrigues.
Rodrigues plays on the third line for Florida as well as the second power play. In these spots, he's been able to amass 8 goals, 25 assists, and 33 points. Not bad for 55 games from a third liner, and it's why there's value in him.
It's been seven games since he's scored, and while he's averaged just two shots per game in that time, Rodrigues' time to find the back of the net is coming sooner than later.
Rodrigues is forecasted for a strong night at a projection of 13.0 FanDuel points, 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.