FanDuel NHL: January 5
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: January 5 is a daily fantasy sports column focusing on the best FanDuel NHL player and value options for your daily lineups. The salary options are based on the daily salaries set by FanDuel. We’ll check the best options in each position, and help you afford an ideal lineup for your big FanDuel NHL paydays.
Before we review the top options for each FanDuel NHL lineup position, let’s review the FanDuel NHL scoring rules:
Forwards/Defense
- Goals = 12pts
- Assists = 8pts
- Shots on Goal = 1.6pts
- Short Handed points = 2pts
- Power Play Points = 0.5pts
- Blocked Shots = 1.6pts
Goalies
- Win = 12pts
- Goals Against = -4pts
- Saves = 0.8pts
- Shutouts = 8pts
Given the FanDuel NHL scoring options, we know the top options for offense and defense are players who tend to score a goal or record an assist in most games. Also, if one of those players is often playing on the penalty kill, there’s an added benefit if they could score the unique short-handed goal. The Ottawa Senators led the NHL in the 2015-2016 season with 17 short-handed goals.
As for Goalies, you’ll want to pick a goalie on a team who has the highest winning percentage of the day. Losing the 12 point win can easily be the difference between losing money and a big pay-day. A FanDuel comparison would be picking a MLB pitcher who will most likely win.
Now that we’ve established the rules and goals for playing FanDuel NHL, let’s take a look at tonight’s best options:
Next: Top Centers
Top Centers
Jeff Carter ($7,700) leads a hot 2nd regular line and 1st power play line for the Los Angeles Kings. Carter is averaging around 20 FanDuel NHL points per game over the last two weeks, and exceeded 30 points in two of his last five games.
Tonight, Jeff and the Kings have a juicy match-up against a Detroit Red Wings team who’s plummeted down the Atlantic Standings, now 7th in the division. Also, the Red Wings will have a backup goalie in net, Jared Coreau, who’s given up over 3 goals per game and has a weak .889 save percentage. Tonight is a great night to pay for Carter and the Kings.
Teuvo Teravainen ($4,900) has been consistently hot over the last several weeks. The young, 22-year-old, left winger for the Hurricanes is playing the 2nd Regular and Power Play lines tonight against the Saint Louis Blues.
But regardless of his match-ups, Teravainen has landed around his daily average of 13.5 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the last two weeks. Teuvo is once again a great value pick to pair with a hot Carter.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
Mikael Granlund ($6,000) is averaging over 16 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in the Minnesota Wild’s last five games. During that period, Granlund had three goals and give assists. Mikael also piled on 16 shots and two blocks.
Tonight, the 2nd place Central Division Wild are playing in San Jose against the 1st place Pacific Division Sharks. The Sharks and net-minder Martin Jones have been good this season, but not great. Tonight’s match-up should be a high-scoring five goal affair. Granlund, continues his hot streak in San Jose.
We already talked about liking Jeff Carter and the Kings match-up tonight. So we’re going to stack Tanner Pearson ($5,400) with Carter. Like Jeff, Tanner has been consistently hot over the last two weeks, now averaging around 15 FanDuel NHL points per game. This is a fun stack with considering the juicy match-up.
Rounding out our wings, we’ll plug-in the Washing Capitals Justin Williams ($5,700) and Carolina Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho ($4,900). Playing on the 2nd regular and power play lines for the hot Caps, Williams is bringing a near 20 FanDuel NHL point average into an awesome clash with the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight.
Aho is our value pick at wing tonight, allowing us to afford our top options in our lineup. Also, Sebastian is consistently averaging around 17 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the last four games. The Canes have a tough match-up against the Blues tonight, but Aho did well against the Penguins, Blackhawks, and Lightening as well. The Blues won’t impede Sebastian’s value.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
We’ve used Victor Hedman ($7,000) a few times recently, and he rewarded our investment with over 20 FanDuel NHL points each time. In fact, over the last four games, Hedman has average well over 20 points-per-game. Tonight, the Tampa Bay Lightening are playing the struggling Nashville Predators in Tampa tonight. This is a great match-up for Hedman and the lightening and Victor should continue to roll.
Matt Dumba ($4,800) is our value play at defense. Dumba is playing on the Minnesota Wild’s 2nd regular and 1st power play lines. Dumba will play along-side Grunland most of the game and should see opportunity for assists. Matt has two double-digit FanDuel NHL point games in the Wild’s last four games. Dumba should bounce back with another one tonight.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
Losing Jonathan Quick for a good part of the season already, the Los Angeles Kings were in a tight spot in goal. But veteran Peter Budaj ($8,400) has been a pleasant surprise for the Kings. Now 17-10-3, Budaj is a big reason the Kings are competitive in the Western Conference playoff race.
As we discussed with Jeff Carter, the Kings have a juicy match-up against a struggling Detroit Red Wings team. The Red Wings have a weak match-up in goal tonight, significantly improving Budaj’s odds of at least landing 12 FanDuel NHL points for the win.
Over the last three games, Peter landed above 17 points each game, with a fantastic 28.8 point finish against the San Jose Sharks. Tonight’s match-up should land Budaj around the Sharks end of his recent point range.
Always check NHL lineups throughout the day when playing FanDuel NHL. As a fan, you likely know the league isn’t overly forthcoming with injury news, and players are often scratched at the last-minute with little information. Also, goaltenders are never a sure-thing. Good Luck today Fanduelers!