NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Sunday 10/29/23

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

Jacob Markstrom, Calgary Flames ($7,500)

While Connor McDavid will be back in the lineup for the opposing Edmonton Oilers, I can't imagine starting this slate anywhere besides Jacob Markstrom ($7,500) -- even with his Calgary Flames positioned as a +136 underdog.

Markstrom's own ability is his greatest argument. He's third in the NHL in goals saved above expectation (6.67 GSAx), which is a return to his 2021-22 form. J.M. finished second in Vezina Trophy voting two seasons ago.

If anything, we want a solid goaltender that'll face shot volume, and McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the Oils will always bring that. They're 11th in Corsi For per 60 minutes (62.1).

There is some to playing a netminder against Edmonton, but every goalie in the slate is playing in a game with a 6.5-goal total. We might as well take a good one.

Stack

New Jersey Devils

The Minnesota Wild have been a defensive stalwart for a half decade, but 2023-24 hasn't been their year.

Minny has ceded the 10th-most expected goals per 60 minutes this season (3.26), and their defense hasn't been cut any breaks by their young goaltender. Filip Gustavsson has the seventh-worst GSAx (-3.34) in the NHL to this point.

As a result, we can turn to the young, exciting New Jersey Devils at home tonight against them. Of course, any New Jersey stack will come with the acceptance or rejection of Jack Hughes ($10,500), who is one of the best players in fantasy hockey.

Through seven contests, Hughes has 18 points and 30 shots on goal with a 22:19 TOI average. He's got full correlation at even strength and with a man advantage with his wingers, Tyler Toffoli ($7,200) and Timo Meier ($6,900).

It's tough to jam in Hughes' salary on the small slate, so the blue-liner to target with them could be his brother as a value play, Luke Hughes ($4,200). Despite Hughes' 20:14 TOI average not being ideal for a defenseman, he's on the power-play unit with Jack.

Value Skaters

Evgeny Kuznetsov, C, Washington Capitals ($4,200)

The Washington Capitals will undoubtedly be the most popular stack on the slate against the 0-7-1 San Jose Sharks. San Jose is allowing the second-most expected goals per 60 minutes in the NHL (4.11), but pivoting to Washington's second line could be a way to dodge some of the chalk.

I'm pretty stunned to see Evgeny Kuznetsov ($4,200) so far down the player pool. Kuz is on the Capitals' second even-strength line with a capable scorer, T.J. Oshie ($4,700). The duo also join the prolific Alex Ovechkin ($7,700) on the power play. It's not like they don't have access to points, which is why Kuznetsov is -162 to record a point tonight at FanDuel Sportsbook.

numberFire's model also has quite the affinity for the Caps' pivot, placing him as the best per-dollar value play on the three-game slate. It has got him pegged for 13.9 projected FanDuel points.

Anthony Duclair, W, San Jose Sharks ($3,900)

Don't ignore the Sharks' ability to score in that game, though. Their 2.28 implied team total has a pulse, and we can get their best pieces for very low salaries.

Washington has been strong as a defensive unit (2.90 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes), but their goaltending has been sketchy behind Darcy Kuemper. He was top 15 in GSAx a year ago, but his 0.10 GSAx in 2023-24 ranks 39th of 63 qualifying goalies. On a three-game slate, it's not wise to ignore the Sharks altogether like everyone else.

That includes Anthony Duclair ($3,900), a veteran scorer atop their lead even-strength and power-play units. Duclair has multiple shots in four of his eight games this year with a decent 16:37 TOI average.

Duclair is projected for 8.1 FanDuel points by numberFire. He won't likely win a tournament by himself, but he's an excellent punt to jam in the slate's top studs.

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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.