NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Wednesday 11/1/23

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, a stack, and some value plays for your NHL DFS lineups on FanDuel.

NHL DFS Picks

Goalie to Target

Jake Oettinger, Dallas Stars ($8,500)

For the second time this week, we're rolling with Jake Oettinger as the goalie to target.

The netminder has started his season 4-0-1, posting a 1.74 goals against average and .940 save percentage. It shouldn't come as a shock that Oettinger is playing so well early, as he's among the top favorites to take the Vezina Trophy home (+900). The most impressive statistic of Oettinger's early season is his goals saved above expectation (GSAx), ranking seventh with a 5.67 clip.

While Oettinger is one of the league's best goalies, the main reason we're rocking with him again today is due to the matchup against the Calgary Flames.

The Flames have been among the best at creating offensive chances. Calgary has the eighth-best Corsi For per 60 minutes (63.3), creating tons of opportunities and putting the puck on net. Making more saves is great for DFS -- and the Flames have been unable to pot the puck, giving Oettinger all the more value today. They have the fourth-worst goals per 60 minutes (2.09).

Oettinger is projected for the second-most points of any goaltender -- numberFire's model has him set for 18.5 FanDuel points.

Stacks

Colorado Avalanche

On a four-game slate, there's no team in a better position to put up big points than the Colorado Avalanche.

The Avs have been off to their expected hot start. They've put together a top-of-the-line offense with a 67.55 Corsi For per 60 that ranks third in hockey. Colorado is also top 10 in goals for per 60 minutes, averaging 3.34, which is actually below their expected goals for of 3.67 (fourth-best).

The Avalanche are carrying the best implied total of the day at a strong 3.79 against the St. Louis Blues.

St. Louis doesn't score much themselves (1.81 goals per 60) and gives up a lot of chances to opposing teams, sporting a 66.0 Corsi Against per 60, the fifth-worst in the NHL. So, to say this should be a good night for the Avs would be an understatement. But who should we be getting in DFS lineups?

Sometimes, you should keep it simple. Colorado's top line of Mikko Rantanen ($10,300), Nathan MacKinnon ($10,200), and Artturi Lehkonen ($6,800) feels like the place to go. All three get big minutes thanks to being on the top line of one of the best teams in hockey as well as the top power-play unit.

If Cale Makar ($8,300) is able to suit up, he too is a great option on the backend -- he's got three goals and six assists in eight games this season.

Fire up the Avs.

Value Skaters

Alex Tuch, W, Buffalo Sabres ($5,900)

After scoring 36 goals last season, Alex Tuch is looking to get on track in 2023-24.

Tuch is one of the key players for the Buffalo Sabres, who have struggled out the gates to a 4-5-0 record. Part of that is the offense not hitting on the same form that it did last year, but thankfully, there's time to fix that with Tuch needing to be one of the big reasons why.

He's admittedly been unlucky thus far. He has just one goal despite having 19 shots on goal -- eventually, it has to change. The Sabres forward also has four assists to his credit, but it's clear he's due to pot one sooner rather than later.

The 27-year-old is averaging 18:08 TOI, taking up a spot on the third-line right wing and the top power-play unit for Buffalo.

With a $5,900 salary, Tuch has all the value tonight with the hunt for his second goal continuing. numberFire's model has Tuch projected for 15.6 FanDuel points.

Pavel Buchnevich, W, St. Louis Blues ($4,700)

The St. Louis Blues have been a struggling offense this season -- that's no secret -- but someone has to step up, and we're looking at Pavel Buchnevich to be that guy.

Buchnevich is a proven commodity in the NHL. He's finished his last two seasons with 76 and 67 points, respectively, while also finishing with 45 or more in his last four campaigns. He's not going to light up the scoreboard with goals (career-high is 30), but he's going to contribute, which is all we're looking for.

The winger plays on the top line for the Blues, having put together a goal and four assists while putting 10 shots on net. Buchnevich also plays the point on the second power play of the Blues, giving him enough opportunities (15:56 TOI) to be a real value tonight.

Buchnevich is projected for an impressive 15.0 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.