Today's NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (12/14/24)

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).

Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Ottawa Senators L1 - Brady Tkachuk ($8.8K/$8K) - Josh Norris ($5.1K/$5.8K) - Drake Batherson ($5.6K/$6.9K)

Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins

The Ottawa Senators have one of the best matchups on the slate. They face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have allowed the fifth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60.

This line has generated an incredible 75.6% xGoals across their 43 minutes of ice time with a stellar 3.51 xGoals Per 60.

Ottawa goal!

Scored by Josh Norris with 07:46 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson.

Ottawa: 1
Detroit: 0#DETvsOTT #GoSensGo #LGRW pic.twitter.com/FUDptYF2Ix

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 6, 2024

Brady Tkachuk has been quiet on the scoresheet in December, but he has continued to produce in other aspects of the game. Through five games this month, Tkachuck has tallied five points but averaged an impressive 5.8 shots per game and tallied at least two hits and two blocks in four of these games.

Drake Batherson has tallied three goals and five helpers during this span, while Norris has tallied three goals. Given their recent play, this line should have ample opportunities to score against a weak Pittsburgh defense.

Utah Hockey Club L1 - Clayton Keller ($6.5K/$6.2K) - Barrett Hayton ($3.6K/$4.4K) - Nick Schmaltz ($4.6K/$6K)

Opponent- San Jose Sharks

The Utah Hockey Club will face the San Jose Sharks, who, according to MoneyPuck, currently boast the third-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60. This top unit has done very well generating scoring opportunities, as they hold a strong 56.4% xGoals and have geotargeted 3.56 xGoals Per 60.

Over his past six games, Clayton Keller has tallied six points (three goals, three assists). Even though both Barrett Hayton and Nick Schmaltz have been a bit quiet as of late, they should be poised for a nice bounce-back showing against a struggling defensive unit.

Columbus Blue Jackets L2 - Kirill Marchenko ($5.7K/$6.5K) - Adam Fantilli ($4K/$5.1K) - Dmitri Voronkov ($4.1K/$5.6K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

According to MoneyPuck, the Columbus second unit has the best matchup on paper. They face the Anaheim Ducks, who currently have the highest Expected Goals Per 60 in the league. In addition, this line has been Columbus’ most productive of the season and could easily provide elite upside, given their relatively low price.

Through over 120 minutes of ice time together, this line has generated an impressive 64.9% xGoals.

KIRILL MARCHENKO!! Tie game in Columbus!! 🚨 pic.twitter.com/CrhKN4cVKU

— NHL (@NHL) November 24, 2024

Kirill Marchenko has led the way, tallying seven points over his past eight contests. While his other two linemates have not been productive as of late, given their strong underlying metrics, they are due for some positive regression this evening.

Winnipeg Jets L1 - Kyle Connor ($8.4K/$8.1K) - Mark Scheifele ($6.9K/$7.5K) - Gabriel Vilardi ($4.5K/$5.8K)

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

My final top unit to take a look at is the first line in Winnipeg. Led by Kyle Connor, this line has generated a solid 52.6% xGoals and averaged 2.7 xGoals For Per 60.

This evening they will face the Montreal Canadiens who have allowed the second-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season.

Connor has tallied seven points over his past five games. During this span, Connor has scored three times and had at least four shots on goal in three of them. Mark Scheifele has tallied eight points over his past six games, during which he has tacked on four goals and four assists, including three total power-play points.

While this stack is a bit expensive, they are one of the safest units to draft that carries elite upside.

Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):  

• COL L1
• FLA L1
• TOR L1

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— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023

Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets ($8.2K/$7.5K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a fantastic campaign, scoring 30 points across his first 29 games of the season. Eleven of these points have come on the man- advantage.

In the even-strength play, he has played primarily alongside Dante Fabbro and has generated 44.9% xGoals with a 2.48 xGoals Per 60.

Werenski is currently riding a two-game goal streak and three-game point streak.

Facing the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 when shorthanded, should set up Werenski well for a productive evening, especially on the power-play.

Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning ($6.5K/$7K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Victor Hedman has tallied seven helpers over his past six games, four of them on the power-play. During this span, he has logged at least three blocks in two games and averaged just over two shots per game.

Since the start of November, he has averaged a point-per-game posting of 16 across a 16-game stint.

The 33-year-old should be set up well to continue his offensive hot streak against the Seattle Kraken, who currently hold the ninth-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck, while shorthanded.

Note: Hedman was a late scratch on Thursday due to a lower body injury. Monitor his status before the opening face-off

Kris Letang - Pittsburgh Penguins ($4.6K/$5.3K)

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

After having a rocky start to the season, the three-time Stanley Cup Champion has begun to turn the corner. Over his previous six games, Letang has tallied eight points with five of them coming on the power-play.

Letang has averaged 4.0 shots per game during this span and logged six total blocks.

Pittsburgh goal!

Scored by Kris Letang with 13:06 remaining in the 2nd period.

Assisted by Matt Grzelcyk and Blake Lizotte.

Pittsburgh: 3
Florida: 1#FLAvsPIT #LetsGoPens #TimeToHunt pic.twitter.com/yPEXyM034n

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) December 4, 2024

Facing the Ottawa Senators ,who have allowed the third-highest Expected Goals Against while on the penalty kill should put Letang in a great position to continue to succeed.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs ($5.1K/$5.5K)
• Mike Matheson- Montreal Canadiens ($5.7K/$5.6K)
• Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets ($6.2K/$6K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Andrei Vasilevski - Tampa Bay Lightning ($7.8K/$7.6K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

This evening, the Tampa Bay Lightning will travel to the northwest to face the Seattle Kraken. According to MoneyPuck, the Kraken have generated the fourth-lowest Expected Goals For Per 60 while in 5-on-5 play and the tenth-fewest while on the man-advantage.

In his past four starts, Vasilevski has a 3-1 record, a 2.02 GAA, and a .914% SV.

Jeremy Swayman - Boston Bruins ($7.5K/$7.6K)

Opponent - Vancouver Canucks

Before allowing eight goals on December 10, Jeremy Swayman was turning the corner on what has been an underwhelming season. From November 23 through December 7, Swayman posted a 4-2 record with a strong 2.01 GAA with a .918% SV.

Facing the Vancouver Canucks, who have generated the lowest Expected Goals For Per 60 (2.03) during 5-on-5  play should set up Swayman well for a “get-right” matchup.

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