FanDuel NHL: January 20
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: January 20 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
Vincent Trocheck ($6,700) has been absolutely locked-in over the last two weeks. Vincent is averaging well over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game since January 9th. During that time, Trocheck has six goals and four assists over six games.
Trocheck is leading the Florida Panthers top line and is not only getting plenty of shots on goal each game, but is scoring on a high percentage over those shots. Trocheck has even been actively blocking shots on ice. Tonight, the Panthers have a juicy match up against a struggling Vancouver Canucks. We’ll continue to roll with Vincent as long as he continues to produce incredible results.
For a value pick to tag along with Trocheck, we’ll look toward the hot Carolina Hurricanes and grab Jordan Staal ($5,500). Staal had a quiet game in Columbus against a good Blue Jackets team three days ago. But prior to that game, Jordan was averaging over 20 FanDuel NHL points over a four game period.
Staal has two goals and five assists in his last five games. Tonight, the Hurricanes are hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Penguins are having a solid season, but mostly because of their incredible offensive power. Defensively, they’ve struggled. Staal should have opportunity for another double-digit FanDuel NHL night at home tonight.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
Brad Marchand ($7,300) is hit-or-miss with FanDuel NHL points over the last two weeks, but when he hits its big. Brad has two 6.4 point results in the last five games. But he also has three double-digit point games, and two games over 40 points, including a 56.9 blood bath against the Flyers. Look for Marchand to have another great night at home hosting the Blackhawks.
Evander Kane ($6,200) is hot and has taken advantage of poor goal-tending. Speaking of poor defensive play in front of the net, the Buffalo Sabres play a Detroit Red Wings team having won of their worst seasons in recent memory. Kane should have his fourth 20+ FanDuel NHL point night in the last six games.
Playing against Kane is Gustav Nyquist ($4,900). The Sabres have also struggled with defense and we can expect a high-scoring game in Buffalo tonight. Like Kane, Nyquist is also hot with several games over 20 points. Nyquist should also be a candidate for 20+ FanDuel NHL points in Buffalo tonight.
Finally at wing, we’re stacking Elias Lindholm ($4,700) with our Staal play, at center. Lindholm is an incredible young talent who has surged along with Staal over the last five games. I suspect Elias will also bounce back from the Columbus game tonight, giving the Penguins defense fits in front of the net.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
Torey Krug ($6,500) is rapidly emerging as a top FanDuel NHL candidate for defense each week. Krug has at least one block shot each game, but his value is mostly on offense. Torey has three goals and three assists among 13 shots on goal within the last five games for the Bruins.
Over the last two weeks, Krug averaged around 15 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Tonight, the Bruins are hosting a Chicago Blackhawks team who has been flat in January. Torey should continue to roll tonight.
Mike Green ($5,100) is anchoring the Detroit Red Wings defense again tonight, in Buffalo against the Sabres. Green has been fantastic for FanDuel NHL players lately. In the last two weeks, Green has very consistently averaged between 10 and 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Tonight, his consistence should stay with a great match up against the Sabres.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
With Carey Price taking the night off for the Montreal Canadiens, Al Montoya ($8,100) is back in net for the first time since January 11th. Montoya has started in-goal for the Canadiens four times in the last month. During that time, he was 3-1, averaging just under three goals against per game.
What’s most impressive from Al, over the last month, is that he’s averaged 21 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Montoya’s worst outcome during that period was a 9.6 result in a loss to a red-hot Columbus Blue Jackets, in Columbus.
Looking at the entire year, only the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes have been able to stifle Montoya. Those games aside, Montoya has dominated in-goal. Tonight, the Habs are in New Jersey taking on a struggling Devils hockey team. This is a great opportunity for value at the goalie positions.
Next: FanDuel NFL Conf Champ Playoffs
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!