NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Wednesday 12/20/23

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

Cam Talbot, Kings ($8,100)

There were questions over the goaltending for the Los Angeles Kings when it looked like Cam Talbot ($8,100) was going to be the starter heading into the season.

Those questions have been answered, as Talbot has been great in his first year with the Kings. The team wanted a goalie who would give them a chance to win most games -- and Talbot has done more than that. He has 12.45 goals saved above expected, the eighth-most among goalies this season.

The Kings will play the Seattle Kraken at home tonight. Seattle averages the fifth-fewest goals per game in the league and the third-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes.

LA is a comfortable home favorite (-172 moneyline), and Talbot should be able to pick up the win against an offensively challenged Seattle team.

Stacks

Winnipeg Jets

The Winnipeg Jets may be without their best offensive player in Kyle Connor, but they still have enough talent to warrant stacking tonight.

Obviously, we'd rather have Connor in the lineup, but it does make it easier to stack without him. Mark Scheifele ($8,100) is the team's leader in points with 33, and he has been excelling with his new wingers. Gabriel Vilardi ($7,000) has seen his salary shoot up, but it's justified. He has four goals and seven points in his last three games. Nikolaj Ehlers ($6,600) has been on fire for this linem as well, also recording seven points in the last three games.

The Jets are at home tonight against the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit is on their third goaltender, with James Reimer being the guy. Reimer has allowed one goal above expected in the past two seasons. The Wings' defense has also not been great of late, as they've permitted an average of 3.88 goals per game in December.

With this line being fully correlated, it's the best stacking option on this short slate tonight.

Los Angeles Kings

The Kings were a popular stack last night on a much larger slate, and they'll be popular again tonight.

It didn't go perfectly well for the first line, but we can go back to them tonight. Anze Kopitar ($7,300) was the best of the trio, with a goal and an assist. He now has goals in three straight games. Adrian Kempe ($7,500) and Quinton Byfield ($5,900) were held scoreless but are both top five in points on the team and play together across all situations.

In this game against the Kraken, the Kings should be able to score. LA created 3.68 expected goals against Seattle on Saturday night but scored just twice. Both Joey Daccord and Philipp Grubauer have allowed more goals than expected this season, so the Kraken will not have a strong netminder no matter who's in net.

This fully correlated line is once again one of the best stacks on the board, and it won't be too difficult to fit into lineups.

Value Skaters

Joe Veleno, C, Red Wings ($3,800)

Joe Veleno ($3,800) is listed as a center on FanDuel but is really playing as a top line left-wing. He hasn't been getting it done of late, but his situation is good enough to go back to him.

Veleno will play with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond at even strength, and he'll be on the second power play, as well. For just $3,800, you won't find a player with a better role to plug in as a value option.

Anthony Mantha, W, Capitals ($3,900)

Things haven't been great for Anthony Mantha in his time with the Washington Capitals. It's been a bit better this season, as he's scored seven goals, more than Alex Ovechkin's five.

Mantha will play on the second line and second power play for Washington. The Capitals will face the New York Islanders, who will be on the second night of a back-to-back. The Islanders are a good defensive team, but Mantha and the Caps could be catching them at the right time.

If you need a winger with a salary under $4,000 who could score a goal, Mantha is a good choice.

Looking to play some NHL Daily Fantasy? Check out the NHL DFS lobby on FanDuel.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.