FanDuel NHL: January 17
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: January 17 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
Since dropping a goose-egg (0 FanDuel NHL points) on January 7th against Tuukka Rask and the Bruins, Vincent Trocheck ($6,600) has been a consistent 20+ FanDuel NHL point provider at center. The young 23-year-old center is leading the top regular and power play lines for the Florida Panthers. Tonight, the Panthers have a nice match-up with the Calgary Flames, providing ample scoring opportunity for Trocheck.
Tyler Bozak ($5,500) is leading the top regular and 2nd power play lines for a high-powered Toronto Maple Leafs offense. Since the start of the new calendar year, Bozak is averaging over 18 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, in six games. That’s a fantastic return for only $5,500 at center. Tonight, Bozak and the Maple Leafs have a very favorable match-up against the Buffalo Sabres.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
Playing on powerful Chicago Blackhawks 2nd regular and 1st power play lines, Artemi Panarin ($7,700) is often a solid pick for your lineup. But what we like most about tonight is the match-up.
The Colorado Avalanche have seriously struggled to put to compile a complete game this season. Panarin and the Blackhawks will have ample scoring opportunities and Artemi is a solid candidate for 20+ points tonight.
Speaking of the Hawks, there’s a rumor they’re making a move to trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs for James van Riemsdyk ($7,400). van Riemsdyk has been on fire this year and it’s not a surprise Chicago is attracted to the 27-year-old’s current results. James is hovering around a consistent 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game and is playing on one of the top scoring lines in hockey now. We’ll go with the potential future Hawk tonight.
For value picks at wing, and to afford the rest of our lineup, we’re going to plug-in two young Carolina Hurricanes from the 2nd line Elias Lindholm ($4,700) and Brock McGinn ($3,800).
Like the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Canes have been quietly hot lately. McGinn piled up over 30+ FanDuel NHL points in each of his last two games. Lindholm is averaging over 17 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in the last two weeks. If these value picks pan-out, we’re in for a big payday.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
Rasmus Ristolainen ($5,900) is a young 22-year-old underrated defensiveman from the Buffalo Sabres. Rasmus consistently scores double-digit FanDuel NHL points-per-game, often around 15 points each game.
Tonight, the Sabres are playing the Leafs who, while very offensively potent, have struggled to defend shots on goal. Toronto will also force Rasmus to block a few shots on goal. This is a good match-up for Ristolainen’s value.
Francois Beauchemin ($3,700) is a wiry veteran defender on the 2nd line for the Colorado Avalanche. Beauchemin isn’t going to consistently put up big points for your lineup. But Francois has produced some double-digit FanDuel NHL point games over the last two weeks. Tonight, against the Chicago Blackhawks, we’re willing to use your remaining salary, prior to our goalie pick, to plug-in Beauchemin.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
Earlier in the season I played Devan Dubnyk ($9,600) in my DFS NHL lineups often. Unfortunately, due to Dubnyk’s success his FanDuel NHL salary rapidly increased into November. But with the right set of value picks in the offensive and defensive positions, Dubnyk can be affordable. Also, some of his match-ups, like tonight, are too juicy to ignore.
Over the last two weeks, Devan has piled up between 24 and 30 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. With the Wild having a good season and often on winning streaks, Dubnyk is a solid bet for a win. Devan is leading the NHL among all goaltenders in save percentage, .940, and GAA (Goals Against Average at only 1.78. In short, he’s like a human stone wall on ice.
Tonight, the Wild face a New Jersey Devils team who has won five of their last five games. But the Devils are among the bottom in the NHL in points, with only 45. Also, the Devils goal tending has been dreadful lately, with some random exceptions from Keith Kinkaid. This is a juicy match-up for Dubnyk and the Wild.
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!