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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on January 4, 2025. Andy's NHL DFS goalies, forward line stacks, and defensemen.
Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have another action-packed Saturday slate.
In this piece, I will discuss my favorite forward lines to target, defensemen, and goalies in tonight's action. Be sure to keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.
If you have any questions about further strategy and managing the slate, feel free to chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).
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Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Colorado Avalanche L1 - Artturi Lehkonen ($5.7K/$6.6K) - Nathan MacKinnon ($10.4K/$9.3K) - Mikko Rantanen ($8.9K/$8.5K)
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
My top line to target will be a popular chalk play this evening. The Colorado Avalanche will be facing the Montreal Canadiens, who have allowed the fourth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season. While they have been playing better as of late, they still have several defensive concerns.
The top line, led by Nathan MacKinnon, has generated a strong 52.5% xGoals with a stellar 4.07 xGoals Per 60, which is one of the highest marks among forward lines.
Over his past ten games, MacKinnon has tallied 23 points including five on the power-play. Lehkonen has scored four times over his past three games.
Nathan MacKinnon is better than your favorite player.pic.twitter.com/FTwLWKzryO
— Avalanche Forever (@citchmook) December 28, 2024
Mikko Rantanen is currently riding an impressive 12-game point streak. Over this stretch, he has tallied 21 points.
While this stack does carry a hefty salary, they carry elite upside in a favorable matchup.
St. Louis Blues L2 - Dylan Holloway ($3.9K/$6K) - Brayden Schenn ($3.7K/$5.4K) - Jordan Kyrou ($6.2K/$6.7K)
Opponent- Columbus Blue Jackets
The St. Louis Blue will be traveling to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets, who have allowed the sixth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck. They have allowed at least three goals in each of their past two games.
This second unit has generated a solid 54.9% xGoals across a hefty 109 minutes of shared ice time.
Jordan Kyrou has tallied two goals and two helpers over his past four contests, while Brayden Schenn has only been held off the scoresheet just four times in his past ten games. However, Dylan Holloway has been the most impressive, tallying seven points in his past four games.
Vegas Golden Knights L1 - Victor Olofsson ($4.8K/$6.5K) - Jack Eichel ($8.7K/$8.4K) - Mark Stone ($6.9K/$7.8K)
Opponent - Buffalo Sabres
The top line in Vegas will be playing host to the Buffalo Sabres, who boast the tenth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play, according to MoneyPuck.
This line has generated an impressive 66.7% xGoals across their first 50 minutes of shared ice time. During this span, they have posted a strong 3.18 xGoals Per 60.
Their underlying metrics are very prevalent in their recent box scores. Jack Eichel has tallied 11 points over his past ten games. Over this same stretch, Mark Stone has tallied nine points, while Victor Olofsson has six over his past eight. Facing a weak defensive team. This line should have elite scoring chances all evening.
Edmonton Oilers L2 - Vasily Podkolzin ($2.8K/$3.8K) - Leon Draisaitl ($8.6K/$8.9K) - Viktor Arvidsson ($3.4K/$4.5K)
Opponent - Seattle Kraken
My final line to target is led by superstar Leon Draisaitl who has been on an incredible tear over the past month.
He currently riding a 12-game point streak. Over this span, he has scored 10 goals and added 14 helpers, including nine total power-play points.
Leon Draisaitl
Ties Wayne Gretzky for the most career multiple PP goal games in Oilers history with 17 pic.twitter.com/etfcTQRYjT
— Sportsnet Stats (@SNstats) December 29, 2024
This evening, he will travel to Seattle to face the Kraken, who has allowed the eighth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season. In addition, his line has generated a strong 59.5% xGoals and 3.43 xGoals Per 60, suggesting they should control the puck facing a weaker defensive team.
While Draisaitl’s linemates have been a bit streaky and hard to trust, he is the safest anchor on the slate.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- EDM L1
- TBL L1
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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets ($5.8K/$6.5K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
The Winnipeg Jets will be facing the Detroit Red Wings who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 when shorthanded. This should set the Jets up well, as they sit just outside the top-10 regarding Expected Goals For Per 60 on the power-play.
Josh Morrissey has been the QB1 on the power-play all season in Winnipeg. Through 29 games, he has tallied an impressive 16 power-play points, including 15 helpers.
Over his past nine games, he has tallied eight total points, with four of them coming from the man-advantage. He carries high-scoring upside in this favorable matchup.
Ty Smith - Carolina Hurricanes ($3.1K/$4.3K)
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
With Shane Gostisbehere (upper body) sidelined, Ty Smith has been promoted from the AHL and has taken full control over the QB1 role on the power-play.
Smith needed just two games to tally his first power-play point, which was a goal. During these two games, Smith saw at least four minutes of power-play ice time, suggesting that Carolina values his presence in the offensive zone.
Power play goal for Carolina!
Scored by Ty Smith with 10:01 remaining in the 1st period.
Assisted by Sebastian Aho and Martin Necas.
Columbus: 1
Carolina: 1#CARvsCBJ #CBJ #RaiseUp pic.twitter.com/r1TDHq9ssB— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) January 1, 2025
Throughout the season, the Carolina power-play has generated the ninth-most Expected Goals Per 60 and should be set up well against the Minnesota Wild, who has allowed the sixth-most Expected Goals Against while shorthanded.
Shea Theodore - Vegas Golden Knights ($5.7K/$6.4K)
Opponent - Buffalo Sabres
My final defenseman to target has been a popular play of mine all season long. Shea Theodore has tallied 30 points over 36 games this season, including 12 of them on the power-play.
He has tallied seven points over his past eight games, including two power-play helpers.
Playing on the top line of a Vegas power-play that has generated the second-most Expected Goals for Per 60 continues to put him in elite scoring chances. He should be in store for another productive evening against the Seattle Kraken, who have allowed the tenth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($8.7K/$7.7K)
- Mackenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames ($5.9K/$5.9K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Connor Hellebuyck - Winnipeg Jets ($8K/$7.9K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
My top option at the goaltender position is one of, if not the current front-runner for the Vezina trophy. Over his past seven starts, Hellebuyck is riding a stellar 6-0-1 record with a .931% SV and a 1.84 GAA.
Facing a Detroit Red Wings team that has generated the second-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 puts him in a great position to extend this impressive stretch.
Stuart Skinner - Edmonton Oilers ($8.4K/$7.6K)
Opponent - Seattle Kraken
Over his past four starts, Stuart Skinner has only allowed more than two goals on one occasion. During this stretch, he holds a stellar .922% SV with a 1.96 GAA.
He should find continued success facing a Kraken team that has generated the sixth-lowest Expected Goals Per 60 this season.
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More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
