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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on February 1, 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. Keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.
If you have questions about further strategy and managing the slate, please chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).
Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Nashville Predators L1 - Filip Forsberg ($8.5K/$8.4K) - Steven Stamkos ($6.3K/$6.5K) - Jonathan Marchessault ($6.9K/$7.3K)
Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins
The Nashville Predators will face the Pittsburgh Penguins, who have allowed the eighth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck. The top line in Nashville has been quite productive as it has generated a strong 2.89 xGoals Per 60 Minutes.
This unit is led by left wing Filip Forsberg, who has enjoyed an offensive surge. Entering Friday, Forsberg tallied at least one point in 10 of his last 11 games. During this stretch, Forsberg scored nine goals and added 10 helpers. Over his previous seven games, center Steven Stamkos has tallied eight points, including five goals.
Filip Forsberg's 300th NHL goal is an absolute SNIPE 🎯 pic.twitter.com/0NcgIMcpUd
— NHL (@NHL) January 17, 2025
Right wing Jonathan Marchessault has only been held off the scoresheet twice over his past 12 contests.
Expect this unit to generate elite scoring opportunities when facing a struggling defensive team like Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh Penguins L1 - Rickard Rakell ($6.2K/$7.2K) - Sidney Crosby ($7.2K/$7.9K) - Bryan Rust ($6.3K/$7K)
Opponent- Nashville Predators
The other top line in this contest should also enjoy a strong showing as the Nashville Predators have had their defensive struggles, allowing the 15th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60. While short-handed, they have allowed the 12th-most Expected Goals Against.
This top line, led by Sidney Crosby, has been the lone bright spot for an inconsistent Penguins team. According to MoneyPuck, this line has generated a strong 55.7 percent xGoals with a stellar 3.33 xGoals Per 60 Minutes.
VINTAGE SIDNEY CROSBY WITH THE OVERTIME WINNER 🐐 pic.twitter.com/hGG0jxVSFs
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) January 30, 2025
Crosby has tallied seven points over his last six games (four goals, three helpers). Left wing Rickard Rakell has also enjoyed a productive stretch, tallying six goals and six helpers in his last 13 games. During this span, he has averaged over three shots on goal per game. Bryan Rust has added 10 points (four goals, six helpers) over his last 10 contests.
Calgary Flames L1 - Jonathan Huberdeau ($4.8K/$6.5K) - Nazem Kadri ($6.1K/$6.6K) - Martin Pospisil ($2.8K/$4.4K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
The Calgary Flames will be playing host to the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed the 10th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during five-on-five play, according to MoneyPuck. The Red Wings have not fared much better, allowing the second-most Expected Goals Against while short-handed.
This line has generated a solid 56.9 percent xGoals with 2.65 xGoals For Per 60 Minutes.
Over his past five games, center Nazem Kadri has found the back of the net twice and added three helpers, one on the power play. While Jonathan Huberdeau and Martin Pospisil have not been as effective lately, their underlying metrics and opponents suggest they are primed to bounce back.
Edmonton Oilers L1 - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($4.6K/$6.2K) - Connor McDavid ($9K/$8.8K) - Connor Brown ($2.8K/$4.5K)
Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs
Superstar Connor McDavid leads my final line to target. This line has generated an impressive 68.9 percent xGoals with an eye-catching 3.77 xGoals For Per 60.
They will be facing the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have defended well during five-on-five play (15th-fewest Expected Goals Against), but they have struggled when short-handed, allowing the eighth-most Expected Goals Against.
Since returning from his three-game suspension, McDavid has tallied a goal and an assist over his past two games. Left wing Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has begun to heat up, tallying eight points (four goals, four helpers) over his past eight games, while Brown has only tallied one helper over his last 12.
While McDavid's wingers usually carry some inherent risk, given how well this line generates offensive opportunities, they are worth a look.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- TOR L1
- TBL L1
- DET L1
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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
MacKenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames ($5.5K/$6K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
MacKenzie Weegar, the QB1 of the Calgary power play, will face the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against while short-handed. Over his past four games, Weegar has tallied three points, with two coming on the man advantage. During this span, he has also averaged 3.25 hits per game with 1.5 blocks per game.
During five-on-five play, Weegar and linemate Jake Bean have generated a solid 58.8 percent xGoals with 3.12 xGoals For Per 60.
Jared Spurgeon - Minnesota Wild ($4.1K/$5.3K)
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
Since returning from his lower-body injury, the 35-year-old has been busy on the scoresheet and should be poised for another solid showing this evening against the Ottawa Senators. Over his past five games, Jared Spurgeon has tallied two goals and two helpers while averaging 2.6 blocks per game.
Seeing at least two minutes of power-play time in three of his last five games, Spurgeon should be set up well facing the Senators, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against while on the penalty kill.
Matt Grzelcyk - Pittsburgh Penguins ($3.5K/$5K)
Opponent - Nashville Predators
My final defenseman is an intriguing value play facing the Nashville Predators. Matt Grzelcyk has enjoyed a recent offensive surge, tallying five helpers over his last seven games. During this span, he has tallied at least one blocked shot per game and saw top minutes during both five-on-five play and the power play.
Playing alongside Kris Letang during even strength, they have generated a solid 2.46 xGoals Per 60. The Pittsburgh power-play unit has generated the seventh-most Expected Goals For, which should play well against the Predators, who have allowed the 12th-most Expected Goals Against while short-handed.
Grzelcyk has been more effective in the offensive department than his teammates Letang and Erik Karlsson over the past two weeks and should be in a great position to outperform his salary.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning ($6K/$6.8K)
- Evan Bouchard - Edmonton Oilers ($6.4K/$7K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Dustin Wolf - Calgary Flames ($8K/$7.9K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
The 23-year-old netminder has continued to impress this season and is a top play facing the Detroit Red Wings. Among goaltenders who have made at least 25 starts, Wolf has made the eighth-most Goals Saved Above Expected (12.6). Over his past five starts, he carried a 4-1 record with a .928 save percentage with a 2.23 GAA.
Putting his name into the 2024-25 Calder Trophy conversation, @NHLFlames rookie goaltender Dustin Wolf has been rock solid and then some on Saddledome ice so far this season. Sporting a very sparkling .936 save percentage there, he heads into tonight vs WSH sitting atop this list pic.twitter.com/j3SybIdtC6
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) January 29, 2025
The Red Wings will travel to Calgary and have generated the fifth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60.
Filip Gustavsson - Minnesota Wild ($7.5K/$8.1K)
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
My other top goaltender to target is Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild. Gustavsson is carrying a two-game winning streak into Saturday. During this stretch, he has posted a stellar .943 save percentage with a 1.51 GAA.
The Ottawa Senators have generated the ninth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during five-on-five play and the sixth-fewest while on the power play. Playing behind a strong defensive unit that has allowed the fifth-fewest Expected Goals Against during five-on-five play sets Gustavsson up well for a strong showing this evening.
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