FanDuel NHL: January 16
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: January 16 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.
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
The Buffalo Sabres is struggling this season, but Ryan O’Reilly ($6,300) is having another fantastic season. Ryan has eight goals and 25 points so far this year, and his line has a positive +/- of three at this point in the season.
Leading the Sabres 2nd regular and 1st power play lines, O’Reilly is averaging around 18 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the last two weeks. With a decent match-up against a struggling Dallas Stars goal tending unit, playing Ryan for under $7K is a solid bargain.
Next to O’Reilly, we’re going to plug-in Montreal Canadiens veteran Tomas Plekanec ($5,200). Plekanec has consistently scored around 15 FanDuel NHL points in the last two weeks for the Habs. This afternoon, Montreal is heading into Detroit to play a Red Wings team who is having a dreadful season. This is another great match-up for our center lines.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
If you’re not a Bruins fan, you probably hate Brad Marchand ($7,100). But although Marchand is a taunting menace on the ice, he’s also a fantastic talent. Brad is averaging a jaw-dropping 25 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the last two weeks. When the Bruins played the Flyers on Saturday, Marchand dropped 56.9 fantastic FanDuel NHL points. We’re looking for Brad’s game to continue to roll against the Islanders this afternoon.
Even though we like the Montreal Canadiens over the Detroit Red Wings today, Anthony Mantha ($5,700) and Andreas Athanasiou ($4,200) are two high-value picks for our wing positions today. Over the last two weeks, Mantha and Athanasiou are each averaging over 16 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, and each typically play better on home ice. This also helps us afford our Marchand play, and some big plays at defense and goalie.
Finally, while I usually hate playing any offensive player against my goalie, our goalies seldom have shutouts. I’m not expecting a shutout in San Jose this afternoon. I expect the Jets to score a goal or two and given Drew Stafford ($3,800) is averaging around 14 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the last two weeks and his rock-bottom price, this is our best value pick to make this lineup affordable.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
For Defense, we’re going to grab the best offensive defenseman in the NHL, Brent Burns ($8,300). If you’re playing FanDuel NHL and the Sharks are on the schedule, always try to afford Burnsy. Brent is averaging almost 30 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, greater than practically all offensive players. He’s an unbelievable talent at the blue line and can’t be avoided if you want to cash in today.
Mike Green ($5,100) isn’t an effective defensiveman, but his offense is undeniable. Green is a fantastic point-man, especially in power play situations. We already have Mantha in the lineup, and if we expect the Red Wings to slip some goals in against the Canadiens today, Mantha and Green are very likely to be involved int he scoring.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
After 37 starts, Martin Jones ($9,000) has 21 wins and two shutouts for the San Jose Sharks this season. Jones is saving almost 92% of the 972 shots he’s taken this season. Martin has had some tough losses recently, but to some solid teams like the Blues and Wild.
Over the last two weeks, Jones is averaging just over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. It helps that the Sharks and Jones have won the majority of their games over the last month.
Tonight, the Jones and the Sharks have a very favorable match-up at home, in San Jose, against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have some decent young talent, including likely Connor Hellebuyck in goal, but they’re struggling to put together consistent wins. This is a juicy match-up for Jones and the Sharks and we are likely to get over 20 points with this pick.
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!