NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (1/1/22): Value Plays, Goalies, Stacks

Welcome back RotoBallers! Happy New Year! For those first-time readers, my name is Chris and I write a ton on RotoBaller. The sports universe of writing here spans from NASCAR to football to college sports to of course, hockey. If you have not checked some of those articles out then make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL 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 Saturday, January 1st, 2022 at 7:00 PM. 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] or via Twitter @ChrisWasselDFS or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!

NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 1/1/22

As I am writing this, the four-game main slate is taking shape. Hopefully, there are no more postponements between now and puck drop on Saturday night.

Please be aware that COVID has ravaged a lot of rosters and trimmed this slate down to four games. The suggestion is to check back on social media often to see who else may have been placed on protocol. Finally, if any postponement news breaks, we will try to get it posted ASAP.

Vegas Odds for the Day

NHL DFS Goalies

Cam Talbot- DK $7.8K || FD $7.8K

Opponent - Florida Panthers

There has been some debate as to how much of a risk Cam Talbot actually is on Saturday night in the "Winter Classic". Outdoors it will be below zero and very cold. Minnesota has lost four straight games and Talbot has dropped three starts in a row (0-2-1). However, the Minnesota goaltender has been quite good at home. Now, at Target Field, this could be a case where St. Louis finds the sledding a bit tougher. Home crowd will help Minnesota on Saturday no question. Talbot comes in at a reasonable salary with the chances of a quality start increased.                        

Thatcher Demko- DK $7.6K || FD $7.9K

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

This features less risk than most picks but Thatcher Demko is on a long winning streak. He has allowed a mere eight goals in his last six starts. That includes one shutout. They are playing a Seattle team that can score a few goals but typically falters late in games. Demko is used to facing a lot of shots and Seattle is averaging nearly 32 shots per game at home. The salary is attractive enough to roster Demko with a good amount of confidence. Seattle and the Dave Hakstol coached team struggle mightily when it comes to finishing games. That only helps the Vancouver goaltender.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Binnington (DK $7.9K || FD $7.6K), Quick (DK $7.5K || FD $7.2K). Again watch for more COVID announcements.

NHL DFS Centers

Ryan Hartman-DK $6.5K || FD $6.8K

Opponent - St. Louis Blues

After starting the season a bit slowly, Ryan Hartman has been on fire since being paired with Kirill Kaprizov. The center has 11 points in his last ten games and 26 in 30 contests overall this season. The best thing is Hartman averages almost 3.5 shots per game. The top-line player has been playing around 19 minutes a night over the past month. Some questioned whether the top line would sustain their shot volumes. So far, those numbers have even gone up slightly. There is not a defensive duo on St. Louis that can truly slow this duo down. It could come down to who does one add to the stack. The Minnesota Wild have some secondary options even like Matt Dumba from their defensive core. 

J.T. Miller- DK $5.4K || FD $8.4K -- Wing

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

So, Miller becomes our prime center play on the night because he is so much cheaper on DraftKings ($3,000 to be exact). The Vancouver Canucks forward gets a prime matchup and has 15 points in his last ten games. He has a nice shot volume of around 2.5 shots per contest too. Miller is even better on the road with 21 points in 17 games. Nine of those points have come on the man advantage. Miller features some nice stacking options too including maybe a Bo Horvat, Brock Boeser is still in COVID protocol so that does lessen a few options. Horvat makes for a nice center alternative even especially for players on FanDuel.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Matthews(DK $9.4K || FD $10.4K), Gourde(DK $4.8K || FD $4.7K), Thomas (DK $3.6K || FD $4.7K), Horvat (DK $4.4K || FD $7.1K) 

NHL DFS Wings

Wings

William Nylander- DK $7.7K || FD $8.2K 

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

The "Battle Of Ontario" could be an interesting one especially if it is played (given attendance restrictions, etc.). Nylander has six goals, 15 points, and 43 shots on goal in his last ten games. This has vaulted Nylander to just over a point a game (31 points in 30 games) on the season. The Toronto Maple Leafs' winger has seven power-play points in his last ten and 14 on the season. Ottawa allows the most DFS points to wingers in the NHL. Do expect Kirill Kaprizov to fare well but will have to use his speed and knowledge of outdoor cold games well. Meanwhile, Nylander will take advantage of a good matchup.

Pavel Buchnevich- DK $5.8K || FD $6.9K

Opponent - Minnesota Wild

No, this is a pure road dart on Saturday night with the expectation of more goals due to the cold affecting defenses more. If the week was any indication, this could be more interesting than expected. Keep in mind, the last eight Winter Classics have seen five or six combined goals. Goals are to be had. Buchnevich has three goals and 13 points in his last ten games with 34 shots on goal and almost 40 scoring chances. He did unexpectedly miss Wednesday night's game due to illness but looks and feels much better now. The Russian is primed to play on Saturday night.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Kaprizov(DK $8.1K || FD $8.1K), Batherson(DK $6.5K || FD $7.4K), Atkinson(DK $5.7K || FD $6.1K), Kyrou(DK $4.2K || FD $5.9K), Foligno(DK $2.8K || FD $5.6K)

NHL DFS Defensemen

Defense

Morgan Rielly- DK $6.9K || FD $7.2K

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

There may be other players on this slate that have more pop but Rielly has 13 points in his last ten games and 35 shots on goal in that span. While goals have been few (4 on the season and one in the last ten), he is even blocking shots at 1.4 per contest. That is right around five a game combined (which is an elite level). Rielly has 16 points in 17 games at home and has ten power play points on the season. Toronto is good for four goals a game it seems no matter what. Rielly has enough of a floor to offset most risk. 

Matt Roy- DK $4.7K || FD $5.2K

Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers

Since we can take a risk and go with the offensive defenseman on Saturday, Matt Roy just keeps firing shots on goal. One has to go in eventually, right? He has 33 shots on goal in his last ten games including six on Thursday. Roy also has six assists in his last nine contests while averaging more than two blocked shots per contest. His combine floor approaches 5.5 shots + blocked shots a night. The Flyers allow more than 35 shots per night on the road. It seems like a perfectly tailor-made matchup.

We will have a few more picks and ideas on social media as things come into focus later on Saturday. Again, hopefully there are no more postponements.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Parayko(DK $5.7K || FD $5.0K), Doughty (DK $6.1K || FD $7.0K), Carrier (DK $3.0K || FD $4.6K).

NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks

• MIN1
• STL2
• TOR PP 1
• OTT 2
• MIN 2
• VAN 2

Chris’s Stack of the Day

MIN: Kaprizov-Hartman (Dumba possible)

Chalk Stack:

TOR: Matthews-Nylander-Rielly 

Sneaky Stacks:

MIN:  Foligno-Gaudreau-Fiala

VAN: Podkolzin-Pettersson-Garland

NHL Player News and Updates

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis