FanDuel NHL: February 2 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.
FanDuel NHL has a full slate of eight games tonight, presenting many lineup options.  We’re going to focus on the lineup we feel is the most ideal for cashing in Thursday night.  Here is a list of scheduled NHL games, with the games we’ll focus on highlighted:
Canadiens at Flyers (7pm ET)
Rangers at Sabres (7:30pm ET)
Senators at Lightening (7:30pm ET)
Oilers at Predators (8pm ET)
Jets at Stars (8:30pm ET)
Maple Leafs at Blues (9pm ET)
Blackhawks at Coyotes (9pm ET)
Sharks at Canucks (10pm ET)
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
Next: Top Centers
Top Centers
We’re starting our lineup big, picking two young NHL all-stars Connor McDavid ($8,700) and Bo Horvat ($4,800) at the two FanDuel NHL center positions.
McDavid is a 20-year-old Rock Star leading all the NHL this season with 59 points. Connor often scores double-digit FanDuel NHL points each game, and a significant 40 to 50 point ceiling some nights.  On Tuesday, McDavid had a weak 4.8 point night, but we expect Connor to bounce back tonight with a good Nashville Predators match up for McDavid.  I’m looking for 20+ points with this investment.
Horvat isn’t the dynamic offensive monster on the ice that McDavid has quickly become, but he’s still a very valuable young, 21-year-old, leader for tonight’s 2nd line for Vancouver.  Horvat is also often capable of double-digit FanDuel NHL nights, but his ceiling is lower, targeting at most around 20 points.  I expect Bo to drop between 8-15 points for our lineup tonight.
Next: Top Wings
Top Wings
As we’ll see toward the end of our lineup picks, we’re going to use all four Winnipeg Jets roster spots for tonight’s lineup. Our two biggest plays at wing are a young talent and veteran, Patrik Laine ($7,400) and Blake Wheeler ($7,300).
Out for a good part of January, Laine was back in the Jets lineup in late January and averaged around 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game to end the month.  Patrik has at least one point (Goal or Assist) in his last seven games, dating all the way back to December 31st.  He’s hot, and should continue to burn in Dallas tonight.
Wheeler did well on the Jets first line with Laine out in mid-January, but he’s continued to stay hot playing on the 2nd line as well.  Blake has one goal and four assists in Winnipeg’s last three games.  Wheeler ended January with a 36 FanDuel NHL point effort on Tuesday.  Blake should also continue his scoring streak tonight in Dallas.
Rounding out our four wing spots are two value picks with the Rangers’ Jimmy Vesey ($4,200) and Blackhawks’ Nick Schmaltz ($3,200).  The Vesey and Schmaltz are each appealing because they often score FanDuel NHL points per game, although usually not in large quantities.  However, they’re both starting tonight on the top lines of their respective teams.  And with more ice-time, they should each push for double-digit FanDuel NHL performances.
Next: Top Defense
Top Defense
Our first pick at defense is a no-brainer, Brent Burns ($8,500).  Yes, Burns is incredibly expensive for this position, let alone any position.  But Brent is not only the best scoring defender in the NHL, but he’s also one of the best scorers among all positions in the NHL.
Burns very rarely yields less than double-digit FanDuel NHL points-per-game and often exceeds 20 points each game. Â Tonight, the Sharks have a juicy match up against a very beatable Vancouver Canucks team. Â Burns is a must-have in your lineups, even if you have to sift through low salary players for value picks to afford him.
Speaking of value picks, Mark Stuart ($3,100) is an intriguing candidate.  Stuart isn’t going to light-up your lineup score, but with multiple injuries to the Jets defensive core, Mark is getting more time on the ice lately.  Stuart typically gets at least a few points when on the ice, and could be a part of a scoring opportunity in Dallas tonight.  He’s worth a play starting on the Jets 3rd line tonight and giving us salary back to afford plays like burns.
Next: Top Goalie
Top Goalie
We’ve highlighted the Winnipeg Jets backup goalie Ondrej Pavelec ($7,800) in a previous lineup and he worked out well that night.  We’re going to use Pavelec again given tonight’s match up with the Dallas Stars.
Ondrej now has three wins and two losses on the season.  He’s giving up around three goals-per-game, but he’s also seeing around 30 shots, so he’s piling up saves.  Pavelec was successful against a bad Arizona Coyotes team and won both games he started against the Blues.
Ondrej’s only struggles for a win was against the San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks.  However, that has more to do with the Jets offense lacking scoring against very good goals, than it does with Pavelec’s goal tending.
When getting wins, Ondrej yields between 20 and 27 FanDuel NHL points. Â We should see another 20+ night from Ondrej in Dallas tonight.
Next: FanDuel NBA Picks & Pivots
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!
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