NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Wednesday 1/3/24

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.

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

Nico Daws, Devils ($6,500)

The New Jersey Devils have had trouble with their goaltenders all season, and they will now turn to their third option.

They've recalled Nico Daws ($6,500) from the American Hockey League, and he'll get the start tonight. The best news about this is that he comes in at the dead minimum salary for goalies on FanDuel.

Daws got the win on December 29th against the Ottawa Senators, allowing just two goals on 27 shots. His previous stint in the NHL was not successful, but this one is off to a better start.

Today, he'll face a Washington Capitals team that is not one to be afraid of. They average the second-fewest goals per game and are playing on the second night of a back-to-back.

The Devils are -172 moneyline favorites on FanDuel Sportsbook, so their goaltender is definitely in play, especially at just $6,500 in salary.

Stacks

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs won last night, 3-0, against the Los Angeles Kings. It was impressive how easily the Leafs brushed aside a good team, and they'll get a much softer matchup tonight.

Toronto has reunited the duo that has wreaked havoc before after having them separated in recent seasons. Auston Matthews ($10,300) and Mitchell Marner ($8,200) are both top-10 scorers in the NHL over the last four seasons. Matthews has been on fire this year, with 29 goals in 34 games.

They'll play together on the top power play, as well, and have a low-salary line mate in Matthew Knies ($3,800). Toronto averages the sixth-most goals per game and has the seventh-best power play in the league. They shouldn't have much trouble scoring tonight.

The Leafs will play the Anaheim Ducks. Anaheim has allowed the ninth-most goals per game and the fourth-most expected goals per game. The Ducks also allowed seven goals in their last game.

Toronto's 3.72 implied team total is the highest on this small slate, and this stack includes their best fantasy player.

New Jersey Devils

The Devils' top line is a clean stack that is worth targeting. The matchup isn't the best, but the talent of the players and the full correlation makes it worth playing tonight.

Jack Hughes ($10,100) has been excellent this campaign. He's fourth in the NHL in points per game (1.47), trailing only superstars Nikita Kucherov, Nathan MacKinnon, and Connor McDavid. Jesper Bratt ($8,600) isn't too far behind at 1.23 points per game. The third member of this line is Tyler Toffoli ($6,500), who is tied for the team lead in goals with 15.

These three all play together on the Devils' power play, too. That power play is ranked as the best in the NHL, with a 30.3% success rate.

On Wednesday, the Devils play a Washington team who played last night and will be using an inexperienced goalie in Hunter Shepard. New Jersey should be able to score, and I love this stack, one that contains arguably their three best offensive players.

Value Skaters

Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Capitals ($4,100)

Evgeny Kuznetsov ($4,100) isn't having the best season, but he is back on the top line and top power play for Washington.

He's played at least 20 minutes in each of the last two games. He hasn't gotten any points in those games, but they could come tonight against the Devils, who allow the fifth-most goals per game and have the ninth-worst penalty kill.

Alex Killorn, W, Ducks ($4,900)

It's not typically his skill set, but Alex Killorn ($4,900) is playing on the top line and top power play for the Ducks.

The Ducks have a chance to score some goals against a Leafs team that isn't strong defensively and just played last night. Toronto allows the 11th-most goals per game and might be starting Dennis Hildeby in goal for his first NHL game.

Killorn is a pretty sneaky value and could pop as a likely contrarian play.

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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.