NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Monday 12/18/23

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

Alex Nedeljkovic, Pittsburgh Penguins ($7,700)

Alex Nedeljkovic ($7,700) will take the crease for a Pittsburgh Penguins team that desperately needs a bounce back after a 7-0 loss in their last game.

Nedeljkovic didn't perform well over the last two seasons, and questions were asked about his viability as an NHL goalie. This season, he's answering those questions with 6.78 goals saved above expected in seven games.

The Penguins will face the Minnesota Wild at home tonight. Minnesota's offense is not one to fear; they rank 21st in expected goals and 23rd in actual goals per 60 minutes, according to Natural Stat Trick.

Pittsburgh is at home tonight and should be able to limit the Wild. Ned is a good value for $7,700 as Minnesota has the lowest implied team total on the slate (2.66).

Stacks

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars' top line has been one of the best trios in the league over the past three seasons. They haven't quite been as good this season, but they are in a great spot tonight.

Despite not being on the same pace as last season, Jason Robertson ($7,200) is tied for the team lead with 27 points in 29 games. He's tied with Joe Pavelski ($7,400), who is also the team's leader in goals (13). Roope Hintz ($7,300) is right behind both of them with 25 points in 27 games.

The Stars will face the Seattle Kraken tonight. Seattle is right in the middle of the defensive ranks in most metrics but has a team save percentage of .890. That's the eighth-lowest in the league.

Dallas has the third-highest implied team total on this slate (3.68 goals). With this line being fully correlated on the power play, they definitely have the chance of being the best stack of the night.

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings have struggled for the last week and change. They've lost five of their last six games, and have only scored one goal in their last two.

They will welcome back Dylan Larkin ($8,200), which will give them a big boost as their centers have been struggling to create offense. He leads the team in points per game (1.04) and will now be playing on the top line with Patrick Kane ($6,500) at even strength and on the first power play. Joe Veleno ($3,800) will slide over to the wing, and is a great value for his role.

Detroit is at home against the Anaheim Ducks tonight, who are coming off a back-to-back. Anaheim has allowed the fifth-most expected goals per 60 minutes and have won just 2 of their last 10 games.

The Wings have the second-highest implied team total with 3.78 goals, and this line is fairly affordable and easy to fit into lineups.

Value Skaters

Gabriel Vilardi, W, Jets ($5,200)

The Winnipeg Jets have lost their best winger in Kyle Connor to injury and needed someone to step up. That has been Gabriel Vilardi ($5,200) over the last few games.

Vilardi has six points in his last two games. He's now skating on Winnipeg's top line and top power play. The Jets have the highest implied team total on this slate against the Montreal Canadiens.

This isn't the first time we've seen Vilardi have offensive success in the NHL. He quietly had 23 goals with the Los Angeles Kings last season in 63 games. He can definitely put the puck in the net and should have a much higher salary with his new role.

Rickard Rakell, W, Penguins ($4,500)

The Penguins needed to shake things up after their 7-0 loss on Saturday. So, they've decided to move Rickard Rakell ($4,500) to the top line.

This move does wonders for Rakell's fantasy value. He'll now play with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel. When Bryan Rust played on this line, they scored the second-most five-on-five goals in the NHL.

Rakell is a former 30-goal scorer in the NHL and can definitely get the job done with these two talented players.

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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.