DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Hockey Picks (1/18/24): Today's Top NHL DFS Lineups

12 months ago by Brandon Wampler

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Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon and I write both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer, respectively. If you have not checked those out, make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL season, which means it's time to sharpen our skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Today, I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Thursday, January, 18, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Be sure to also check out our awesome NHL tools, including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!

If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via Twitter/X @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!

NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 1/18/24

We have finally made it! The 2023-2024 season is just about halfway done as the holiday season closes. There have been some surprises, both good and bad, and generational talent Connor Bedard has not disappointed. With teams still in flux and many unwritten stories yet to take fold, the race to the Stanley Cup is heating up!

Tonight we have an 11-game slate and one team playing on a back-to-back, Montreal. The currently live top-three highest implied team totals are: Edmonton with 4, Vancouver with 3.9, and Buffalo with 3.9. I will do my best to guide you through this 11-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.

DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks

Jake Allen - DK $7.2K || FD $7.1K

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

Typically, it is not the smartest or most viable/optimal option to side with a goalie whose team is playing on a back-to-back. However, the value model speaks and Allen is projected to be one of the top-valued goalies on the slate. With a goalie carousel in Montreal, Allen has not seen many starts this season and he has been a victim of trade rumors at times.

In his last five starts, he has a 2-3 record with a 3.02 Goals Against Average and a 0.907 Save Percentage. He is coming into this meeting in Ottawa with a strong last performance, making 32 saves in a 4-3 win over Colorado. If anyone has been paying attention, Ottawa is a strong offensive team, similar to Colorado. However, Ottawa has not been as successful in converting shots to goals. As long as Allen can keep the goals against to a respectable total, he can hit value and more.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):

Oettinger (DK $7.9K || FD $8.1K)
Daccord (DK $7.1K || FD $7.5K)

Want more NHL DFS tools and content? Our NHL Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer and access to our VIP Discord Chatrooms. Doug Shain (@BanksterDFS) joins the NHL team in 2023 with his proven track record - join in on the winning!

Back to back @DraftKings Fantasy Hockey World Championship trips! Let’s get the main prize this year! Thank you to @banksterdfs for the amazing daily fantasy content! @NHL pic.twitter.com/dONSvJMtIR

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

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks

Tage Thompson - DK $7.7K || FD $7.8K

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Thanks to the wicked winter weather hitting the Northeast right now, the Sabes versus Blackhawks game was moved to tonight from last night. This gives the slate an interesting twist with a very ‘obvious’ chalk and ownership play with major upside. In Thompson’s last five games, he has 2 goals, 1 assist, and 19 shots. Chicago has improved their defense over their last 10 games -- excluding splits -- however, their level of opposition has helped as well. Despite that, they are still in the bottom three in all meaningful metrics and a goal fest in Buffalo is not out of the question.

Chandler Stephenson - DK $3.6K || FD $4.7K

Opponent - New York Rangers

Stephenson is THE ‘chalk’ play at center tonight. The typical second line center has taken over top line duties, as well as the top power-play unit with teammate Jack Eichel out after having successful surgery. In Stephenson’s last five games, he has 1 goal, 3 assists, 7 shots, and 7 blocked shots. Not only is he taking full responsibilities of a top center, but he is also producing the peripherals of a bottom six penalty killing center. It is impossible to find better value at this position right now. Especially when considering that the Rangers are just outside the bottom 10 in most metrics against. Stephenson could be in a for a big night.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Miller (DK $7.8K || FD $9.5K)
Schenn (DK $3.8K || FD $4.5K)

DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks

Elias Pettersson - DK $8.3K || FD $9.8K

Opponent - Arizona Coyotes

If there is not enough salary, linemate and winger Brock Boeser is always an option; however, Pettersson is being highlighted for a reason. The hybrid center/winger is on a career setting pace, outproducing last year when he recorded 39 goals and 63 assists for 102 points in 80 appearances. Throughout Pettersson’s last five outings, he has 6 goals, 4 assists, 17 shots, and 5 blocked shots. Not only is he producing points, but he is still generating enough peripherals to maintain a floor. The Coyotes are in the bottom 10 in both Scoring Chances Agaisnt Per 60 and High Danger Chances Per 60 and in their last 10 away games, they are being outscored 18 to 20.

Zach Benson - DK $2.9K || FD $4K

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Following the aforementioned Tage Thompson highlight, Zach Benson makes his way back into the article. The rookie winger has found himself back on the top line with teammate and winger Jeff Skinner on injured reserve. Although, the longevity of Benson on the top line seems to be an issue now with teammate Casey Mittelstadt also getting time on the top line.

Depending which way you want to stack, Benson has even-strength minutes with Thompson, while Mittelstadt has power-play minutes. Over Benson’s last five performances, he has eight shots and one blocked shot and at just above minimum salary on DraftKings with a great role and an even better matchup, Benson is the perfect ‘value-punt’ to pay up for the bigger names.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Stamkos (DK $6.9K || FD $8.4K)
Neighbours (DK $3.6K || FD $4.4K)

DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks

Alec Martinez - DK $5K || FD $5.5K

Opponent - New York Rangers

Going back to the value wagon in Vegas, two-way defender Alec Martinez is the next up to bat. He has 2 assists, 4 shots, and 19 blocked shots in his last five performances. Martinez is a Blocked Shots Bonus on DraftKings per game right now. That is unbeatable value and the only worrisome part of his game is the lack of offensive production with just four shots in his last five games. Nevertheless, the Rangers are an offensive-heavy team and will take plenty of shots tonight. If Martinez does not block at least three shots, it will be more surprising than not.

Brock Faber - DK $4.5K || FD $5.1K

Opponent - Tampa Bay Lightning

Did someone say blocked shots? Faber loves to do just that. In his most recent five games, he has 2 assists, 11 shots, and 14 blocked shots. Known for his two-way dominance, Faber has yet to show his offensive abilities and creativity. However, he continues to make up for that on the defensive side of the puck, averaging just under three Blocked Shots Per Game. Going up against a heavy shooting Tampa Bay Lightning team, Faber is expected to maintain value and some.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):