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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on December 20, 2024. 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 Friday 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).
Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Colorado Avalanche L1 - Artturi Lehkonen ($5.1K/$6.4K) - Nathan MacKinnon ($10.3K/$8.9K) - Mikko Rantanen ($9K/$8.4K)
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
The Colorado Avalanche should be poised for a productive evening facing the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the highest Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck. They have allowed 13 goals over their previous five outings. The top line in Colorado has generated a strong 51.9% xGoals with a 3.23 Expected Goals Per 60.
Mikko Rantanen has tallied an impressive 12 points (three goals, nine helpers) over his previous six contests. Nathan MacKinnon has tallied eight points (six goals, eight assists) through the first eight games of the month.
Mikko Rantanen buries the ENG for the hatty in his 600th career game! 🎩👏 pic.twitter.com/IvOXXWJg4K
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 11, 2024
Despite their hefty salaries, this is a high-end stack that carries the most upside on the slate.
Detroit Red Wings L2 - Alex DeBrincat ($5.8K/$6.2K) - Andrew Copp ($2.8K/$4.1K) - Patrick Kane ($4.1K/$5.2K)
Opponent- Montreal Canadians
The Detroit Red Wings have one of the best matchups on the slate, facing the Montreal Canadiens, who have the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck.
The Red Wings have shuffled their top lines quite often this season as this combination has played only just over 20 minutes of ice time together. Across this small stint, they have generated 46.9% xGoals with an impressive 4.58 xGoals For Per 60.
DeBrincat has found the back of the net four times through his first eight games this month, while Patrick Kane has tallied three points over his past two. While they may not be the most consistent, they should have ample scoring opportunities facing a weak defensive unit.
Toronto Maple Leafs L1 - Mitch Marner ($7.4K/$7.7K) - Auston Matthews ($9.7K/$8.6K) - William Nylander ($8.2K/$7.7K)
Opponent - Buffalo Sabres
The Toronto Maple Leafs will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have allowed a hefty 11 goals over their previous two games. Overall, they boast the eighth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season, according to MoneyPuck.
The Maple Leafs have shuffled their top two lines quite often this season due to injuries, but as of now, they have decided to load their top unit with their top three offensive players. Through their first 11 minutes of shared ice time, they have generated an impressive 66.7% xGoals with a 2.07 Expected Goals For Per 60 minutes.
Toronto goal!
Scored by William Nylander with 14:45 remaining in the 2nd period.
Assisted by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Dallas: 2
Toronto: 2#TORvsDAL #TexasHockey #LeafsForever pic.twitter.com/Rv6xVjWPKq— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 19, 2024
Mitch Marner has tallied four points over his previous three games (all assists), while Auston Matthews has tallied six over his past six contests. William Nylander has been especially productive, scoring three times over his previous four games.
Carolina Hurricanes L1 - Eric Robinson ($2.9K/$4.3K) - Sebastian Aho ($7.3K/$7.5K) - Seth Jarvis ($6.5K/$6.8K)
Opponent - Washington Capitals
My final top line to target has been very productive all season but has a tougher matchup against the Washington Capitals. According to MoneyPuck, the Capitals are slightly higher than the average marks in terms of Expected Goals Against Per 60. While short-handed, they have allowed the seventh-fewest Expected Goals Against.
However, the top unit in Carolina, led by Sebastian Aho, has generated 58.8% xGoals with a solid 2.37 Expected Goals For Per 60.
Since the start of December, Aho has tallied eight points across seven games. Eric Robinson has hit a cold streak but was very productive in the final week of November as he scored three goals across five contests.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- FLA L1
- WSH L2
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— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023
Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens ($4K/$5.5K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
My first defenseman to target this evening is Lane Hutson. Hutson currently operates as the QB1 on the power-play unit while seeing top pairing minutes alongside Mike Matheson. Over his previous eight games, the rookie has tallied nine points, including five power-play helpers.
He should be in a great position to continue his hot stretch on the power play as the Detroit Red Wings have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed.
Aaron Ekblad - Florida Panthers ($5K/$5.7K)
Opponent - St. Louis Blues
After being held off the scoresheet from December 5 through December 14, Ekblad has tallied three points over his past two games. Before his cold stretch, Ekblad tallied seven points across his previous seven games.
Since the start of the month, Ekblad has logged five shots in at least two games (out of eight) and blocked at least three shots in two of them as well.
Playing top minutes on one of the best offensive teams in the sport should provide Ekblad with several opportunities in any matchup. He should be in a good spot this evening as the Blues have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Per 60 while short-handed, according to MoneyPuck.
Mikhail Sergachev - Utah Hockey Club ($5.7K/$6K)
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
Mikhail Sergachev has enjoyed a solid start to the month. Since December 1 (seven games), Sergachev has logged seven points, with three of them coming on the man-advantage. In addition, he has registered at least three blocks in four of these games and averaged two shots per contest.
MIKHAIL SERGACHEV! OVERTIME WINNER!#UtahHC pic.twitter.com/BU3xyhBRXS
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights & News (@HockeyDaily365) December 19, 2024
Facing the Minnesota Wild, who have allowed several high-danger chances while short-handed (fourth-most Expected Goals Against), should provide the 26-year-old with ample scoring opportunities.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- John Carlson - Washington Capitals ($6.1K/$6.2K)
- Mike Matheson- Montreal Canadiens ($5.4K/$5.6K)
- Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Toronto Maple Leafs ($3.2K/$4.5K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Joseph Woll - Toronto Maple Leafs ($8K/$7.2K)
Opponent - Buffalo Sabres
Joseph Woll has held a 2-1 record over his previous three starts. During this span, he has held a solid .917% SV with a 2.65 GAA. Overall, across 12 games, he sits with an 8-4 record and a .915% SV.
He should be in a great position to keep his hot streak going by facing the Buffalo Sabres, who have generated the 10th-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 this season. They have scored just five goals over their past three games.
Jake Oettinger - Dallas Stars ($8.1K/$7.9K)
Opponent - New York Rangers
My other goalie to target is Jake Oettinger, who will face the New York Rangers, who are in a downward spiral. They have lost their past six games and have scored only 11 goals during this span, including just three goals in their past three games.
Even though Oettinger is coming off one of his worst outings of the season where he allowed four goals, he should be in a prime position for a bounce-back.
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
