FanDuel NHL Blue Line Power Plays: January 9
By Matt Rogers
Welcome to FanDuel NHL Blue Line Power Plays for Tuesday, January 9th 2018. We’re a daily fantasy hockey column focused on top FanDuel NHL plays for your lineups each day.
With an equally split slate on Sunday, we took the day off. Yesterday, Monday, was the start of a ‘bye’ week for many NHL teams. So with only one game on Monday, your only FanDuel NHL option for the Blue Jacks and Maples Leafs game was to combine those options with Tuesday’s slate. We chose not to.
With so many teams taking the weekend, they’ll return Saturday, we have a pretty full slate on Tuesday night. Still, with only seven games on the NHL schedule, it feels like a light Tuesday night. But that gives us an opportunity to more easily narrow down to the top picks, and use a bigger list of cash and GPP FanDuel NHL options to win some money.
Here’s a look at the NHL schedule for Tuesday, January 8th:
Jets at Sabres (7pm ET)
Canucks at Capitals (7pm ET)
Blackhawks at Senators (7:30pm ET)
Hurricanes at Lightning (7:30pm ET)
Panthers at Blues (8pm ET)
Oilers at Predators (8pm ET NBC SN)
Flames at Wild (8pm ET)
With the exception of, maybe, the Oilers traveling to Nashville, TN to play the Predators, most of the games on Tuesday night are lop-sided. The Jets have struggled to score away from home, only 2.65 per game, but the Sabres are only scoring 2 goals per game at home, the worst in the NHL, and give up nearly three goals per game at KeyBank Center. Meanwhile, the Jets defense is ninth best in the NHL on defense away from Winnipeg.
The Caps are barely giving up two goals per game at home, while scoring 3.32, tenth best in the NHL. They welcome a touch road opponent. The Canucks are surprisingly efficient on office when away from Vancouver, scoring 2.85 goals per game. But their defense is giving up over three goals per game in the same scenario.
While the Blackhawks have been playing better this season in Chicago, the Senators are consistently playing in high-scoring games in Ottawa, allowing an amazing 3.43 goals per game on home ice, third worst in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Sens are scoring over three goals per game, 12th in the NHL
The Hurricanes have performed better on road ice in the last month, but the Lightning score easily in Tampa, 3.80 goals per game, while giving up only 2.5 goals. The Blue aren’t scoring quite as well at home, 2.87 per game, but they’re only giving up 2.26 goals per game, fourth best in the NHL. The Panthers travel to St. Louis with a 2.14 goal per game average, the worst in the NHL, presenting a clear underdog against the Blues.
Finally, while we feel the Oilers and Predators are evenly matched in Nashville, Edmonton’s scoring and defense is about the same, tenth and eleventh in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Predators are scoring 3.56 goals per game in Nashville, but still giving up three as well. That could be a problem against a very good Oilers offense.
In what could be the lowest score, and arguably most boring match up, the Flames travel to Minnesota Tuesday. In, ironically named, Xcel Energy Center the Wild are only giving up 2.1 goals per game, while the Flames are only giving up 2.56 on the road. This should be a 1-0 or 2-1 type of outcome, unless the the Wild’s offense continues to roll in Minnesota.
As always, we’ll look to update our picks and final lineups prior to lock on our twitter account @FantasyCPR so make sure to give us a follow for all the late breaking lineup news.
Now let’s start building our NHL DFS optimal lineup by looking at the top centers for this slate…
Top FanDuel NHL Centers: Jan 9th
Both Connor McDavid ($8,800) and Steven Stamkos ($8,800) are decent plays tonight, for what could be a very expensive lineup. Finding value in each position is going to be important for Tuesday night’s FanDuel NHL slate, but it’s feasible.
McDavid and the Oilers are scoring 2.81 goals per game on the road, tenth best in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Predators are giving up 3.00 goals per game on home ice, eight worst in the league. So the Oilers are set up well for scoring, and McDavid is their top offensive player. If you can afford him, play him. Connor is likely low-owned as well tonight.
Stamkos and the Bolts have scored nearly four goals per game at home, and the Hurricanes are giving up nearly three goals per game on the road. This bodes well the the Lightning, who have struggled at times lately. With 51 total points, Stamkos is tied with John Tavares for fourth most in the NHL, and he should build on that total tonight.
With the two elephants in the room addressed, we actually like Blake Wheeler ($7,600) the most at center tonight. Most of our favorite targets Tuesday will be home teams. But the Jets have an ideal match up in Buffalo, and their offense is hot. With 17.26 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, Blake is actually averaging higher per game this season than McDavid or Stamkos.
In the Jets last five games, Wheeler has 14.9+ FanDuel NHL points in every game, with an amazing five goals and three assists in that period of time. In Colorado last Tuesday, Blake piled up nine shots, had two goals including one of the power play variety, and a blocked shot for 40.5 FanDuel NHL points. We’re not sure if that’s Wheeler’s ceiling tonight, but he has a shot at 20 to 30 points in Buffalo. And we’re saving $1.2K in salary for another pick.
For a better value, or to play with Wheeler, Nicklas Backstrom ($6,500) leads the Caps top line, and along with Ovechkin has been on fire over the last three games. On Sunday, Backstrom scored the game-winning goal in overtime, adding to his save and five shots for 28.5 FanDuel NHL points. In that last three games, Nicklas has two goals and five assists, along with two blocked shots and nine shots on goal. He stays hot tonight with a reasonable salary.
Jonathan Toews ($6,800) seems overvalued. He’s only averaging 11.99 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, well below most centers at this salary point. But in the last four games, Toews has three goals and four assists, at least one of each in three of the four games. So with a 20 FanDuel NHL point average over the last week, Jonathan is hotter than he appears on paper, this season. With the match up in Ottawa, he should continue to roll.
A cheaper option to fade McDavid and stick with the Oilers is Leon Draisaitl ($6,400). While also listed as a center by FanDuel NHL, Draisaitl is now playing right wing alongside McDavid on the Oilers top lines. With a solid offensive match up for Leon and the Oilers tonight, he’s a more affordable way to get the most points from that line.
It won’t seem like much of a value pick, but tonight’s expensive. Brayden Point ($5,600) has been ice cold over the last two games. But now back on home ice, leading the Bolts productive second offensive line in a favorable situation, Point is a sneaky, low-owned, way of getting value out of the center picks.
These centers seem generally too expensive, and there may be value below Point, but we’re not digging much further. There’s a value stack in the winger picks we’ll target to afford these top center picks. Now let’s take a look at the wings we want to stack along with our centers…
Top FanDuel NHL Wings: Jan 9th
Nikita Kucherov ($9,200) leads the NHL with 59, 27 goals and 32 assists. Right now, Kucherov is a leading candidate for the Hart Trophy, and remains a consistent top scorer in the NHL for months.
With a favorable match up in Tampa, against the Hurricanes, Kucherov is worth the enormous salary you’re giving up. Nikita isn’t just a lock to get a goal or assist, he often gets several with five to ten shots on goal, which is why he averages around 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game.
Over the last four games, Alex Ovechkin ($8,800) has been putting up Kucherov-like numbers. Alex has four goals and four assists over the four game period, with 15 total shots, a power play goal on Sunday against the Blues, and a blocked shot. In that span, he’s averaging over 25 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. With the Caps in a favorable offensive position on home ice tonight, Ovi is a great top pick, saving $400 in salary with a pivot from Nikita.
The Ottawa Senators are giving up 3.43 goals-per-game at home, tied with the Islanders for third most int he NHL. Over the last week, the Sens have been pulling off wins, but in shootouts. That bodes well for the Blackhawks offense, where we’re targeting a stack at wing.
Over the last two home games, Patrick Kane ($8,300) has been quiet, with just five shots on goal in 45 minutes of ice time. But in the five road games period to the home-stand, Kane had three goals and three assists, was stacking up over five shots per game for an average over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. If you’re looking for lower ownership from your top wing pick, grab Kane.
Even better, there’s a clear Hawks value stack with Kane, or any other Blackhawks in your lineup. Brandon Saad ($5,900) is playing on the Hawks top line with Toews. Saad has two goals and four assists in the last four games, and is averaging around 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game in that span.
With Saad and Toews, is 23-year-old Illinois native Vinnie Hinostroza ($3,600). The five foot, nine inch, winger has only played around 12 to 14 minutes on the ice with the Hawks top regular line each game. But he has two goals and five assists in the last five games, getting at least a goal or assist in each game. Now averaging over 11 FanDuel NHL points-per-game, $3.6K is a bargain salary for Hinostroza tonight.
Finally wrapping up Blackhawk stacking picks for the wing position, Ryan Hartman (3,700) has been hot playing along with Kane over the last two weeks. Hartman is also playing on the Hawks second power play unit allowing for 15+ minutes of ice time each game. In the last five games, Ryan has two goals and three assists, is averaging two-plus shots per game, and has three blocked shots. Again, with this salary and match up, Hartman is a tremendous value.
We already mentioned the Jets match up with the Wheeler pick at center. Patrik Laine ($7,700) is expensive, and a popular pick, but aside form a quiet game against the Sharks on Sunday, Laine has been on fire lately. Providing six helpers in the last five games, and playing on the Jets top line, due to team injuries, Patrik is a clear double-digit FanDuel NHL candidate at wing. If you stack Laine with Saad, Hinostroza, and Hartman, you have more cash to splash around at the other positions.
Finally, one last winger plug we think could be off the radar tonight. The Canucks are a solid offensive team away from home, scoring 2.85 goals on road-ice, ninth best in the NHL. Brock Boeser ($6,700), a Calder Trophy candidate, has a goal, assist, and nine shots in the Canucks two-game road trip so far. Even against a tough Caps defense and goaltending situation, Boeser is likely to be involved in scoring again tonight, and show be lower-owned in all formats.
Top FanDuel NHL Defenders: Jan 9th
Like the Center and Winger picks, defense is expensive tonight. We have loved Erik Karlsson ($7,000) and Victor Hedman ($6,600) over the last two weeks. Karlsson has five assists in the last two home games for the Senators. The Hawks aren’t doing well away from Chicago, and the Senators, while playing poor defense, are piling up goals in Ottawa. This bodes well for Erik’s value. If you can afford him, play him. But he’ll be very difficult to stack with Hedman.
As we’ve mentioned already, the Bolts have a clear offensive advantage at home, scoring 3.8 goals per game. But Victor was even hot on the Bolts five-game road trip, scoring a goal and providing three assists. Along with at least one block per game, and several shots, he’s a double-digit lock in most games, especially at home. Hedman is a cheaper version of Karlsson, but could equal or beat his FanDuel NHL point total tonight.
With the top expensive, and obvious, top picks out of the way, we’re fading Alex Pietrangelo ($5,800), Mark Giordano ($5,700), P.K. Subban ($5,700), and Roman Josi ($5,600). Of the four, the Predators combo of Subban and Josi have the best chances of being involved in offense tonight. Giordano’s Flames should be flat on Tuesday, and Pietrangelo has been inconsistent.
We could go with one or both of the Predators defenders, but we love a red-hot John Carlson ($5,900) on home ice against the Canucks. Before we get to offense, the Canucks are offensively active on the road, inflating Carlson’s blocked shot potential. In the last four games, John has a power play goal and five assists. Even when not involved in a goal-score, he’s trying with several shots taken on goal. Just short of a $6K salary, we feel like Carlson is the top defensive pick tonight.
With a likely very offensive match up in Ottawa, Duncan Keith ($5,400) is a solid pivot from Carlson. Between the two, he’s less consistent which is why we’re willing to pay up for Carlson. But to make our next defensive pick more affordable, we’ll drop down to Alexander Edler ($4,800) and try to snag some value.
The Canucks are generally a team you may want to avoid against the Caps in Washington, D.C., but they’re under-rated in this scenario. The Caps should pull out the victory, but they may struggle with Vancouver active on the road. Over the last five games, Alexander is averaging 17.92 FanDuel NHL points-per-game 23 total blocked shots and shots on goal, along with only two assists. He may not be as offensively active, but he’s trying and his defense has been incredible.
If you’re in desperate need of additional salary, consider Oilers top line defender Kris Russell ($4,100) or Blackhawks D-lineman Jordan Oesterle ($3,900). With the Hawks likely very active on offense tonight, Russell is a sneaky way to get double-digit FanDuel points on a cheaper salary. Kris will see 20+ minutes of ice time, take several shots on goal, and block several shots. With a goal or assist, Russell could approach 20 points.
Oesterle has been on our radar for weeks now, and a recommended value pick several times. Playing alongside Keith on the Hawks top line, the 25-year-old Michigan native is quietly averaging almost eleven FanDuel NHL points-per-game with nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game. In the last five games, Jordan has three goals and two assists, and isn’t afraid to jump in front of the puck several times each game.
Top FanDuel NHL Goalies: Jan 9th
With several great defensive match ups tonight, especially on home ice, it’s pretty easy top pick top goalies. The challenge will be picking the best goalie to fill the salary requirements for your lineup. We like several expensive players tonight, so our salary could be limited at this position.
With the Hurricanes only scoring 2.65 goals per game on the road, and the Bolts plugging in 3.8 goals per game in Tampa, we know the Bolts are a heavy favorite to weather the Hurricanes tonight. Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9,600) has been generally hot lately, but just gave up six goals in a surprise loss in Ottawa on Saturday. But with the way Andrei is playing this year, he’s likely to bounce back at home. For $9.6K though, there’s too much risk with this pick and we have better options.
Another expensive but surprisingly risky pick is Braden Holtby ($9,300). With five straight wins in his last five starts, Holtby and the Caps will be favorites on home ice tonight. But the Canucks are scoring 2.85 goals per game on the road, ninth best in the NHL. This isn’t an easy win for the Caps tonight.
Devan Dubnyk and Carter Hutton are both hot right now and on our radar, but neither is expected to start. That means Alex Stalock ($7,500) and Jake Allen ($8,500) are starting for the Wild and Blues. Allen has struggled lately, but the Blues are only giving up 2.26 goals per game, fourth best in the NHL, and the Panthers are scoring 2.14 goals on the road, the leagues worst. So tonight’s match up for Jake is ideal.
Meanwhile, Stalock has been inconsistent, but generally good at home. That is a pretty good summary for the Wild’s season. They’re only giving up 2.10 goals per game at home, the best in the NHL, and the last time Alex saw the Flames in Minnesota, he stopped 16 shots on goal in only 45 minutes for the win. Stalock is a great value pick tonight, with this match up.
With so many great home-ice goalie match ups, it seems silly to take a road goalie tonight. But Connor Hellebuyck ($7,900) has five wins in his last six starts, and his only loss during that period was to the Avalanche in overtime, on the road.
In Buffalo, the Sabres are only scoring 2.00 goals per game, a terrible league’s worst. Meanwhile the Sabres are giving up nearly three goals per game, which helps explain their terrible record this season. The Jets are giving up 2.87 goals per game, ninth best in the NHL, but only scoring 2.65 goals. Still, with Hellebuyck on a hot streak against a terrible home team, this should be a low-owned high value opportunity. We love Connor and the Jets tonight!
So, after reviewing all of our favorite options, here’s an example of a lineup we put together for Tuesday, January 9th:
C Wheeler (WPG $7,600)
C Toews (CHI $6,800)
W Ovechkin (WAS $8,800)
W Saad (CHI $5,900)
W Hartman (CHI $3,700)
W Hinostroza (CHI $3,600)
D Carlson (WAS $5,900)
D Edler (VAN $4,800)
G Hellebuyck (WPG $7,900)
Note: This is a recommended lineup after discussing our top options for the week. You should use this as a guide, and provide your own input when building FanDuel NHL lineups. We are not telling you, or selling you, to use this lineup.
Best of luck in your FanDuel NHL contests and stay tuned to Fantasy CPR for all your DFS news and analysis across NHL, NBA, EPL, and NFL this fall!