FanDuel NHL: January 23
By Matt Rogers
FanDuel NHL: January 23 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
While not still consistently scoring 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, we’d still consider Vincent Trocheck ($6,800) hot. In the Florida Panthers’ last seven games, since January 9th, Trocheck has six goals, four assists, five blocked shots, and 15 shots on goal.
Vincent’s 4.8 FanDuel NHL points against the Vancouver Canucks was disappointing, but he was due for a cooling off game after having six consecutive double-digit point games. The last time Trocheck cooled off, zero points against the Bruins on January 7th, he followed the game up with a 25.3 point effort. So tonight against a dreadful Arizona Coyotes team, look for Trocheck to bounce-back.
The San Jose Sharks 37-year-old first line leader, Joe Thornton ($5,600), still has plenty left in the tank. Joe’s attempt to look like Burns, isn’t just in the beard. He’s still a lightening rod on the Sharks offense.
The Sharks are playing the Colorado Avalanche for a second consecutive time tonight, so we’re going to stack some Sharks in our lineup. The last time out, Thornton had a solid 11.7 FanDuel NHL points. That would be a delightful outcome for our value pick at Center tonight.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
Blake Wheeler ($7,200) is on fire again, and we’re definitely interested in Wheeler tonight with a solid match up likely facing the Anaheim Duck’s back-up goalie Jonathan Bernier in Winnipeg. Wheeler has over 20 FanDuel NHL points in four of his last five games. The most recently was a 26.9 point result against the Blues on Saturday. Look for Blake to continue to roll tonight.
Every US hockey fan’s shoot-out hero, T.J. Oshie ($6,800) is emerging as a top FanDuel NHL option this week, with Oshie and the Capitals catching fire lately. Oshie has six double-digit FanDuel NHL points in the Caps last seven games.
On the 16th, T.J. dropped 41.7 points into our lineups, and followed the performance with 21.6 and 14.1 results through Saturday. The Caps should continue to roll tonight, at home in D.C., against the Hurricanes.
Andre Burakovsky ($4,700) and Brett Connolly ($3,200) have also sparked recently, as a result of the Washington Capitals streaking to the top of the Eastern Conference over the weekend. Burakovsky has double-digit FanDuel NHL points in all five of his last five games. Andre is a steal at $4,700 tonight!
Connolly isn’t as hot as Burakovsky. But Brett is getting 10-13 minutes of ice time each game on a hot team. Over the last five games, Connolly has double-digit FanDuel NHL points in three games. That’s a fantastic return on a rock-bottom $3,200 salary!
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
I’ve probably said this a hundred times at this point int he season. When the San Jose Sharks are on the schedule, Brent Burns ($8,200) should be in your FanDuel NHL lineup. Burns is always worth risking a value pick in one or more spots in your lineup.
$8,200 may seem awfully pricey for a defense lineup spot, but you’re almost certain to get double-digit FanDuel NHL points and Brent very often delivers around 20 points. And with another juicy match up against Colorado, he’s too good of an option to ignore.
For our value pick on defense, we’ll go back to the Washington Capitals and grab Brooks Orpik ($3,500). As we’ve already said, the Caps are hot now and we expect that to continue. Orpik may not get us double-digit points, but he will very likely avoid a goose-egg (zero points).
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
The goalie pick today is easy. Two days ago, Martin Jones ($9,000) played the Colorado Avalanche and piled up 28.8 FanDuel NHL points. The Avalanche are a dreadful re-building hockey team right now and each team they play should be in your FanDuel NHL lineups. Tonight, Martin and the Sharks face the Avalanche yet again.
Jones is averaging around 22 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in the last two weeks. The average would be closer to 30, if it wasn’t for a low 5.6 points against the Blues at the early part of that time. It’s reasonable to expect between 25-30 points from Jones tonight.
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!