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Thursday features a solid eleven-game main slate with a spotlight on games like Winnipeg and Boston, New Jersey and New York (Battle of the Hudson), plus even Nashville and Chicago among others.
Remember, when looking around for plays, an over/under of 6 dictates offense, but an over/under of 5 or sometimes 5.5 tilts towards the goalies. There are several games at 6.5, as that has become the new norm in hockey now.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on 1/9/20. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS. Let's get to it, shall we?
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Mika Zibanejad - C, NYR vs NJD (FD - $7,600, DK - $7,300)
Play it again Sam! Zibanejad nabbed a goal and assist against Colorado and has two points in two games against New Jersey this year with 11 shots on goal. With 4+ scoring chances in each meeting, it is safe to say New Jersey has a problem containing the center. Zibanejad may be able to be stacked with Artemi Panarin once again to take advantage of their expected power-play time. His price has inched up on DraftKings since Tuesday but his production (12 points in the last ten games) justifies the GPP play.
David Pastrnak - W, BOS vs WPG (FD - $8,800, DK - $8,300)
The winger gets shots on net to the tune of about four per contest. He has 5+ shots on goal in four of his last five outings and 16 points in his previous 11 games. His consistency is well documented as he enjoys yet another scoring run. Also, eight of his last 14 points have come on the man advantage (two goals, six assists). Winnipeg comes in with the league's worst penalty kill at 73% on the road.
Also, Consider:
- Connor McDavid is an expensive, but solid play on Thursday night. Patrice Bergeron against a tired Winnipeg team is interesting as well.
- Max Pacioretty and Steven Stamkos are nice options on Thursday from the wing position. Patrick Kane may be almost a bit chalky versus a Nashville team that cannot stop giving up goals.
DFS Defenders to Consider
Roman Josi - D, NSH vs CHI (FD - $6,800, DK - $7,500)
Chicago can always give up goals and they allow the third-most shots at home in the NHL. Josi is arguably Nashville's primary offensive threat at this point. Josi's five power-play points in the previous nine games are nothing short of amazing given Nashville's power-play woes. He has five goals and 16 points in his last ten games while averaging 3.6 shots per game on the net and 1.5 blocks per contest. With Ryan Ellis out, Josi is their biggest offensive presence by far on the blueline and will keep having to produce for Nashville to stay competitive let alone win games.
Oscar Klefbom - D, EDM vs MTL (FD - $5,800, DK - $6,300)
Klefbom's shot and floor are one of the best in the league among defensemen currently. He has 120+ shots and 140+ blocks on the season and now has 26 points as well (five goals). Five of those points have come in the previous six outings. Klefbom enjoys top minutes on the power play and goes against one of the league's worst penalty kills in Montreal (just 75% at home). The Oilers have been a little all over the place of late (scoring 20 goals and allowing 18) so the expectation of defensive points is high here.
Also, Consider:
- Torey Krug and Viktor Hedman are very good plays against Winnipeg and Vancouver respectively.
- Connor Murphy and Matt Dumba are value options that can be used to spend up elsewhere on Thursday.
DFS Goalie to Consider
Elvis Merzlikins - G, CLB vs SJS (FD - $7,200, DK - $7,400)
The rationale tonight is to go a bit outside the box with Merzlikins and ride the hot hand. He has won in three of his last four starts and has made 35+ saves in his last two outings. That means hitting the DraftKings saves bonus. That may still be a possibility tonight even with Logan Couture playing in San Jose (fractured ankle). The Sharks expect to come out with reckless abandon with their season likely over.
Also, Consider:
- The other good GPP choice on Thursday night is to see if Henrik Lundqvist against the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey scores just 2.25 goals a game on the road and Lundqvist's has great success career-wise against New Jersey.
