NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Thursday 2/8/24

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.

Using our projections -- which are powered by numberFire -- as a guide, let's take a look at today's slate to find a goalie, some stacks, and value plays for your NHL DFS lineups on FanDuel.

NHL DFS Picks

Goalie to Target

Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets ($8,500)

The best goaltender in the NHL this season is in a great spot to deliver against the Philadelphia Flyers.

Connor Hellebuyck has dazzled between the pipes for the Winnipeg Jets. It's why the matchup against the Flyers tonight is so perfect. The Jets' netminder has a 2.22 goals against average and .923 save percentage, both of which rank second in the NHL. His play has been at another level that few have come close to this season, making him a must-start.

The Flyers are an ideal opponent to look for any goalie due to their offensive output yet lack of goals most nights. Philadelphia is fourth in the NHL with an average of 33.04 Shots For per 60 minutes, showing that they can get their shots on -- but that's about it. Their goals do not follow the shots, as they rank 26th in Goals For per 60 minutes with a 2.8 clip. That's where the play of Hellebuyck tonight becomes a must for DFS lineups, making him our top target.

Our projections have Hellebuyck as the top goalie on the night with 21.7 FanDuel points.

Stacks

Carolina Hurricanes

The Carolina Hurricanes have an elite offense, and we'll count on it tonight against the Colorado Avalanche.

Carolina has set the bar in terms of being a consistent offensive unit, as they've ranked at the top of the NHL all season long. Where their offense really shines is creating opportunities, as they're first with a 69.7 Corsi For per 60 minutes. This has led the Hurricanes to register 3.31 Goals For per 60 minutes, which is good for 10th.

It'll be a fight tonight against a team like the Avs, but it's not as though the Avs are this top team that doesn't allow goals -- because they absolutely do. Colorado is allowing 3.09 Goals Against per 60 minutes. While that's not a bad mark, it does rank in the middle of the league, and that's enough for us to trust the Hurricanes.

The Avalanche are expected to start Alexandar Georgiev in net. Georgiev did get an All-Star nod this season, but he doesn't have numbers to shy away from. Through 41 starts, he has a 2.88 goals against average and .899 save percentage. Those are fine stats in each category but ones that the Hurricanes can capitalize on with their offense.

Stack the entire first line of the Canes as Sebastian Aho ($8,300), Seth Jarvis ($6,000), and Teuvo Teravainen ($4,800) also all play on the top power-play unit. That's value all-around, and the best bet for tonight's stack is with this team.

Florida Panthers

Speaking of great offenses, let's run a stack with the Florida Panthers tonight.

They'll be taking on the Washington Capitals, which gives them the fifth-best implied total of the night at 3.30, per numberFire's heat map.

The reason to side with the Panthers over other teams is all due to matchup. Washington is not a good hockey team this season, and they've dropped five straight games. They've allowed at least five goals in each of their last four games -- so you can see why the Panthers feel like the right play.

Charlie Lindgren will start for the Capitals, and he's been good for them this season. However, he's allowed three or more goals in his last four games, which is a good streak for us to bank on.

The Panthers are second in the NHL with a 69.52 Corsi For per 60 minutes and are scoring 3.13 Goals For per 60 minutes. It's as simple as that with the Panthers -- they create chances and score at a fine enough rate to run with them.

Sam Reinhart ($9,300) and Aleksander Barkov ($8,200) are the first line duo to stack. On the second line, you can also look to Matthew Tkachuk ($8,700) and Carter Verhaeghe ($8,600). All four skaters are on the first power-play line.

Value Skaters

Mikael Backlund, C, Calgary Flames ($5,500)

The first value skater to target for tonight will be Mikael Backlund.

There's not too much about Backlund that we don't know at this stage. He's a 15-year veteran who knows his role, and sometimes, for a seven-game slate, that's all we are looking for. Backlund centers the third line and second power play for the Calgary Flames, which brings him to a very strong 19:15 time on ice.

Through 50 games this season, he's posted 10 goals, 15 assists, and 25 points. The veteran isn't a big scorer, but he's due, and that's why we're banking on him. Currently, he's riding a cold stretch of five games without a point but has recorded 17 shots in those games. With that type of opportunity, he's eventually going to find the back of the net and get on the board.

Our projection expects Backlund to finish with 11.3 FanDuel points tonight.

Pavel Zacha, C, Boston Bruins ($5,100)

Pavel Zacha has taken on a big role for the Boston Bruins, and it makes him a fine value for tonight.

The center is paired off with David Pastrnak on most nights, so his situation is fairly good for a guy with this salary. Zacha sets up on the second line and first power-play unit for the Bruins. He's averaging 18:14 time on ice as a result, which is a career-high.

In the 46 games he's skated in, Zacha has 11 goals, 20 assists, and 31 points. He's on a streak of sorts right now as he's recorded a point in three straight games, including the lone goal for the Bruins in their return from the All-Star break.

Projections are on his side in this one as they're looking for him to finish with 11.9 FanDuel points.

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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.