NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Thursday 11/30/23
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
Joseph Woll, Toronto Maple Leafs ($8,400)
Joseph Woll has been a revelation for the Toronto Maple Leafs this season and is the play today at goalie.
Despite the inconsistency of the Maple Leafs in the early campaign, Woll has been strong the entire run. The 25-year-old is sporting a 2.74 goals against average and .916 save percentage, the latter of which ranks 12th in the NHL. Woll also ranks 17th in the league with 5.23 goals saved above expectation (GSAx).
The matchup against the Seattle Kraken is a welcoming one as their offensive shortcomings have been what's hurt them much of the year. The Kraken are averaging just 2.72 Goals For per 60 minutes (26th in the NHL). Seattle has been able to create opportunities at a fine rate, ranking 17th with a 59.83 Corsi For per 60 minutes -- enough for Woll to get decent save volume.
As long as the Leafs' defense holds up, it should be a good night for Woll against the Kraken.
numberFire's model has Woll projected to be the second-highest scoring goalie of the slate, expecting him to finish with 21.0 FanDuel points.
Stacks
Florida Panthers
The Florida Panthers are in a spot for big success. As one of the best offensive units so far this season in creating chances, the Panthers should take advantage of the Montreal Canadiens.
The Panthers are second in the NHL in terms of Corsi For, coming in at 69.19, while the Canadiens are at the bottom of the NHL when it comes to allowing chances, putting together a 65.7 Corsi Against. These numbers work hand-in-hand to make the Panthers an elite stack tonight.
Cayden Primeau will be between the pipes for Montreal. Primeau has not been great as a backup netminder this season. He's got a 3.41 goals against average and .898 save percentage in his four games. Just two starts ago, he allowed six goals to the Vegas Golden Knights. In 25 career games, he has a .877 save percentage so it's not as though his overall track record supports him in this one.
Heading into the night, the Panthers have the best implied total of any team on the 14-game slate, with an implied total of 3.85, per numberFire's heat map.
When stacking Florida's lineup, it's best to roll with the skill players on the top two lines. Sam Reinhart ($9,200) and Aleksander Barkov ($7,100) should be taken from the first line while Matthew Tkachuk ($7,000) and Sam Bennett ($4,300) are worthy choices from the second. All four get time on the top power-play unit.
Brandon Montour ($4,600) should be considered here, too. The defenseman has just one point but is starting to find his legs after his return from offseason surgery.
Detroit Red Wings
There's a lot of excitement surrounding the Detroit Red Wings right now and for good reason.
Patrick Kane should be making his debut with the team soon enough, but for now, we'll happily roll with who is on the ice tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Red Wings haven't been an offensive juggernaut due to a below-average 56.26 Corsi For, but they've overproduced in the goal-scoring department to make up for it. Detroit is averaging 3.57 Goals For per 60 minutes -- the fifth-most of any team in the NHL through the first quarter of the year.
It's perfect with the Blackhawks coming to town, as they're allowing the sixth-most Goals Against (3.63). It's a result of there being so many opportunities due to Chicago's porous defense. They have a 28th-ranked 63.96 Corsi Against, and the defense isn't being fixed up any time soon.
Petr Mrazek should be in the net for Chicago tonight. He currently places 30th in the NHL among goaltenders with 0.34 goals saved above expectation, signaling that he isn't playing overly impressive hockey. Mrazek has allowed three-plus goals in five straight starts.
As far as salary, building a Red Wings stack is a bit easier than a Florida stack. Dylan Larkin is expected to be out of the lineup tonight, leading us to focus on the top-line trio of Alex DeBrincat ($7,700), Lucas Raymond ($6,200), and J.T. Compher ($5,500). Their involvement on the power-play should give them the sturdy minutes to have a strong night as a stack.
Value Skaters
Jamie Benn, W, Dallas Stars ($5,400)
Oh, how we love the value of Jamie Benn.
The three-time All-Star doesn't play the big minutes he once did (15:15 time on ice), but he is still out there in important situations.
Through 20 games this season, Benn has 4 goals, 11 assists, and 15 points while taking up the left side of the third line. The most important part of his role is his power-play usage, as he plays as the big body out front on the Dallas Stars' top unit.
numberFire believes in the power forward tonight as their model projects Benn to finish with 14.8 FanDuel points. We'll take that at his salary any day. He's a big-time value once again.
Jake DeBrusk, W, Boston Bruins ($4,700)
Jake DeBrusk is playing more than ever before in his career. The goals and points are going to follow soon enough.
The Boston Bruins' winger is averaging 17:16 time on ice -- the most in his seven-year career. He's got a role on the third line as well as second power-play and penalty-kill units for Boston.
DeBrusk has just three goals, five assists, and eight points so far, but he has two goals in his last four games. He's also averaging 2.25 shots per game, showing that he's getting the chances.
With the Bruins looking to bounce back in a well-timed matchup against the San Jose Sharks, DeBrusk has a chance to be productive tonight.
The 27-year-old is projected to finish with 13.3 FanDuel points, per numberFire's model.
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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.