NHL Daily Fantasy Picks and Helper: Wednesday 11/22/23
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
Jake Allen, Canadiens ($7,100)
This is a 14-game slate, so we have a lot of goaltenders to choose from. It will be difficult to pick the best one. Because of that, we can use a goalie at a lower salary who should give us a good outing tonight.
Jake Allen has been good for the Montreal Canadiens this season, with 4.38 goals saved above expected (GSAx) in eight games. He's in a pretty nice spot tonight, making him a low-salary goalie play.
The Canadiens are on the road against the Anaheim Ducks. Despite having a decent start to the season, the Ducks still have weak offensive numbers. They have the fifth-fewest expected goals per 60 minutes and seventh-fewest high-danger chances per 60 (via Natural Stat Trick).
At just $7,100, Allen is one of the options I feel best about rostering at goalie tonight.
Stacks
Carolina Hurricanes
The Carolina Hurricanes are basically the same as they always were. They lead the league in shot attempts per 60 minutes but are only 16th in goals per 60.
Luckily for us, their FanDuel salaries have remained very low. Sebastian Aho ($6,800) is centering Seth Jarvis ($5,300) and Teuvo Teravainen ($5,500) on the first line and on the top power play, as well. Aho and Jarvis are first and second, respectively, in points on the team, and Teravainen leads the 'Canes in goals.
Carolina is playing at home against the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton has the worst team save percentage in the league and allows the third-most goals per game. That poor goaltending favors a team that will generate a lot of shots as Carolina does -- even if they aren't the highest quality of chances.
With the 'Canes having the fifth-highest implied team total of the night (3.47), they're an appealing stack, and their salaries aren't too hard to jam into lineups.
Washington Capitals
The Washington Capitals are surprisingly in a playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. A lot of it has been through solid defensive play, but they have a chance to play better on offense tonight.
The leading goal scorer on the team is Dylan Strome ($5,100) with seven. He's playing alongside Alex Ovechkin ($8,000) at even strength and on the power play. Ovechkin has just five goals so far this season, but he has three in his last three games and looks to be heating up.
Tom Wilson ($5,200) plays with these guys at even strength, so he can be added to this stack. John Carlson ($6,100) on defense is the best power-play option to add, as his job on the power play is to pass to Ovechkin for one-timers.
This Capitals power play is the worst in the league at just 7.0%. They are due for regression, as their shooting percentage with the man advantage is only 4.11% -- no team in the league was below 10% a year ago. Unless this power play is historically bad, we should see them get back toward the norm.
That regression could begin tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Buffalo is allowing the ninth-most expected goals per 60 this season. These salaries are a great buy-low opportunity on a team that could have a big game tonight.
Value Skaters
Jordan Eberle, W, Kraken ($4,800)
The Seattle Kraken have the highest implied team total tonight against the San Jose Sharks. That's pretty surprising considering they have the fifth-fewest goals per game in the league.
Jordan Eberle is on the first line and second power play for Seattle. He's scored goals in each of the last two games. Someone who has this kind of role on a team with an implied total of 3.95 rarely is below $5,000, so we should take advantage and roster Eberle tonight.
John Gaudreau, W, Blue Jackets ($4,600)
It's been a rough go for John Gaudreau this season. He has just two goals and seven points so far.
This is as good a spot as ever for him to get out of this funk. He's on the first line and top power play for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who could rack up the goals tonight.
Columbus is playing the Chicago Blackhawks at home. Chicago has allowed the third-most expected goals per 60 this season.
Oddsmakers are expecting success for Columbus tonight, as their implied total is the fourth-highest on this massive slate (3.51). If the Blue Jackets are going to score goals tonight, Johnny Hockey should be one of the centerpieces of it.
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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.