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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on January 25, 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 ($7.4K/$8.4K) - Steven Stamkos ($5.6K/$6.2K) - Jonathan Marchessault ($6.2K/$7K)
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
The top unit in Nashville has the best matchup on paper, facing the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck, during five-on-five play. It has not fared much better while short-handed, as it holds the fourth-highest Expected Goals Against during those situations.
While the Predators have had a disappointing season, they have begun to catch fire. Entering Saturday, they carry a five-game winning streak. The top line has played a critical part in this surge.
Jonathan Marchessault continues to impress lately.
-First four-point game tonight with NSH and the third of his career.
-Extended his assist streak to eight games & passed Kyle Turris (7 GP in 2017-18) for the longest by a player in their first season with the Predators. pic.twitter.com/EIR2NVZqIF
— Nick Kieser🏒 (@KieserNick) January 22, 2025
Over his past five games, Steven Stamkos has scored five goals, while Filip Forsberg has tallied 12 points (seven goals), and Jonathan Marchessault has tallied eight points.
Florida Panthers L1 - Matthew Tkachuk ($6.8K/$7.4K) - Aleksander Barkov ($6.9K/$7.4K) - Sam Reinhart ($7.8K/$8K)
Opponent- San Jose Sharks
The Florida Panthers will be traveling to San Jose to face the Sharks, who have allowed the second-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even-strength play this season. Over their past three contests, they have allowed a hefty 19 goals.
This top unit has generated a strong 65.4% xGoals during its first 18 minutes of shared ice time.
While all three forwards have had limited production over the past week, expect them to return to form in a favorable matchup.
New Jersey Devils L3 - Timo Meier ($5.8K/$6.5K) - Justin Dowling ($2.5K/$3.2K) - Dawson Mercer ($3.7K/$4.9K)
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
The New Jersey Devils will be traveling to Montreal to face the Canadiens, who have allowed 17 goals over their previous four contests. According to MoneyPuck, they have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during five-on-five play.
This line has generated an impressive 90 percent xGoals with a strong 4.14 xGoals For Per 60. During Wednesday's contest against the Boston Bruins, they combined for five points, with Dawson Mercer leading the way with two goals. Over his past five games, Timo Meier has tallied four helpers with nine hits and nine blocked shots.
Tampa Bay Lightning L1 - Brandon Hagel ($6.9K/$8.2K) - Anthony Cirelli ($5.9K/$7.2K) - Nikita Kucherov ($8.8K/$9K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
My final line to target is the first line in Tampa Bay. The Lightning will face the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed the 11th-highest Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even strength but have struggled while short-handed, surrendering the highest Expected Goals Against.
This line has generated a stellar 76.5 percent xGoals and a 4.3 xGoals For Per 60, which are among the highest marks in the sport compared to other top lines.
GOAL! Brandon Hagel - Tampa Bay Lightning 2:2 Los Angeles Kings #GoBolts pic.twitter.com/2aHIWDXV0L
— SAJDLIK (@Sajdlik667) January 10, 2024
Nikita Kucherov is currently riding a 10-game point streak entering Friday, scoring five goals and adding 11 helpers. Five of these helpers have come on the power play.
Over his past seven contests, Brandon Hagel has tallied seven points while averaging just under five shots on goal per game.
Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):
- NJD L2
- TOR L1
- CAR L1
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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
Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning ($6.4K/$6.9K)
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
Victor Hedman also has a fantastic matchup against the Red Wings, given their struggle to defend the power play. Over his past eight contests entering Friday, Hedman has tallied nine points, including three power-play helpers.
During this stretch, he has averaged just under three shots and two blocks per game while generating a strong 2.74 xGoals Per 60 during five-on-five play alongside Darren Raddysh.
Roman Josi - Nashville Predators ($7.4K/$7K)
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
During Nashville's recent surge, its top defenseman has been the catalyst on the blue line. Roman Josi is currently riding an impressive seven-game point streak. During this stretch, Josi scored two goals and added eight assists. He has tallied six points on the power play and averaged three shots on goal per game.
During even-strength play, Josi and linemate Justin Barron have generated a strong 65 percent xGoals. Facing a struggling defensive team like Anaheim should present Josi with an excellent opportunity to continue this impressive stretch.
Shayne Gostisbehere - Carolina Hurricanes ($4.6K/$5.9K)
Opponent - New York Islanders
My value play is Shayne Gostisbehere of the Carolina Hurricanes. Gostisbehere returned from the injured list earlier this month and immediately reclaimed his spot on the top line of the Carolina power play.
According to MoneyPuck, this power play has generated a solid 7.15 xGoals Per 60 and the sixth-highest unblocked shot attempt rate. This unit should be in a good position to perform when facing the New York Islanders, who have allowed the seventh-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed.
Across 40 games this season, 14 of his 28 points have come on the power play. While he has tallied just one point over his previous six, expect him to return to form in a favorable matchup.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- MacKenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames ($5.5K/$5.9K)
- Jake Walman - San Jose Sharks ($5.9K/$6.4K)
Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks
Sergei Bobrovsky - Florida Panthers ($8.5K/$8.1K)
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
After allowing four goals in three straight outings, Sergei Bobrovsky bounced back and stopped 30 of the 32 shots he faced en route to defeating the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday evening. Later this evening, he will face the San Jose Sharks, who have generated the fifth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 this season.
Before that slump, Bobrovsky carried a stellar .940% SV and a 1.86 GAA over his previous seven starts.
Logan Thompson - Washington Capitals ($7.9K/$8K)
Opponent - Vancouver Canucks
My other goaltender to target is Logan Thompson, who will face the Vancouver Canucks, who have generated the fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during five-on-five play.
Since Canada's roster was announced for the 4 Nations Face-Off, #ALLCAPS goalie Logan Thompson has posted a 12-1-1 record with a .938 save percentage and a 18.0 goals-saved above expected (per Evolving-Hockey).
Only Hellebuyck has more wins. Thompson is first in everything else.
— Steven Ellis (@SEllisHockey) January 22, 2025
Across 27 games this season, Thompson carries a stellar 22-2-3 record with a .925 percent SV and a 2.09 GAA. Over his previous five starts, he has posted a perfect 5-0 record with a .969 percent SV and a 0.79 GAA.
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