Welcome, RotoBallers! My name is Brandon, and I'll be writing both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer. 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 Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. EST. Be sure also to check out RotoBaller's 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 X @df_solutions or in our premium Slack chat. Best of luck, and also, Happy New Year!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 1/7/25
Tonight, we have a ten-game slate and no teams playing on a back-to-back. Tonight’s slate offers value across the board, offering creativity when building lineups.
The currently live top three highest implied team totals are Vegas with 4.1, Dallas with 3.7, and Toronto with 3.6. I will do my best to guide you through this ten-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EST.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.
DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks
Jordan Binnington - DK $7.1K || FD $7.4K
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
Only three goalies on the slate in their last ten split matches, respectively, have over a 1.00 Goals Saves Above Expected Per 60. In order with the two latter tied: Yaroslav Askarov (DK $8.1K || FD $6.6K), Connor Hellebuyck (DK $8.1K || FD $8.5K), and Jordan Binnington. Binnington makes the article over Hellebuyck due to salary and over Askarov due to Projected Goals Against.
In Binnington’s last five starts, he has a 3-2 record with a 2.0 Goals Against Average and a 0.906 Save Percentage. Over his last ten away appearances, he has a 1.3 Goals Against Average, a 0.953 Save Percentage, and a 1.39 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60. In the Wild’s last ten games without splits, in Per 60 metrics, they are the second-worst in Goals and just above the bottom-ten in Shots. Binnington is expected to maintain value for only $7.1K on DraftKings.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Skinner (DK $8.1K || FD $8K)
- Woll (DK $7.9K || FD $8.3K)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Auston Matthews - DK $10K || FD $8.8K
Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are playing much better hockey, with a few blips here and there, but their goaltending continues to be a major concern. In expected starter Aleksei Kolosov’s last ten games without splits, he is a bottom-three goalie in Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60. His metrics improve when analyzing the last ten home appearances. However, not by much.
Meanwhile, Auston Matthews has been on fire since returning from injury. In his two games since returning, he has one goal, four assists, eight shots, and one blocked shot. Furthermore, in his last five games, he has two goals, six assists, 20 shots, and three blocked shots. His blocked shots count has decreased, but that was expected. What matters most is that he continues to produce points and shoot at a high volume per game. Despite Philadelphia’s better play, their goaltender will continue to haunt them, setting up Matthews for a big night.
Shane Pinto - DK $3.4K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - Detroit Red Wings
Shane Pinto may offer the best floor value and ceiling values on the slate at any position. The youngster has found himself atop the Senators depth chart, centering the first line in hopes of sparking offense. He has one assist, 12 shots, and six blocked shots throughout his last five appearances. Considering his salary, those are stellar numbers when assessing value potential.
The Detroit Red Wings, in their last ten games, without splits, in Per 60 metrics against are the third-worst in Goals, and they are bottom of the league in High-Danger Chances. Break it down to their last ten home games Per 60 metrics. They are a bottom-ten team in both Goals and Expected Goals and the third-worst in Scoring Chances and High-Danger Chances. Add in expected starter Cam Talbot’s poor form, and Shane Pinto and the Ottawa Senators have a recipe for success tonight.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Eichel (DK $9K || FD $8.4K)
- Crosby (DK $7.5K || FD $7.3K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Jamie Benn - DK $4.2K || FD $6.1K
Opponent - New York Rangers
Jamie Benn has been on the second line producing like a madman for at least five games now, and his salary has only increased by $200 on DraftKings!! This is considered a ‘steal’ at any position. The veteran winger has three goals, three assists, 20 shots, and three blocked shots over his last five games. His friendly fixtures also continue with a quick travel to Madison Square Garden.
The New York Rangers, in their last ten games, without splits, in Per 60 metrics against are a bottom-ten team in any meaningful metric. Analyze their last ten home games in Per 60 metrics against; they are a bottom-three club in all meaningful metrics. Benn and company will also see their worst defensive lines and pairings throughout the game. Expected the winger to produce three shots and one point.
Tanner Pearson - DK $3K || FD $4.1K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
Tanner Pearson is once again getting a massive opportunity to reignite his career. He has been promoted back to the top line for the Vegas Golden Knights with teammate and fellow winger Ivan Barbashev out with an injury. Over his most recent five games, Pearson has two goals, three assists, and 11 shots. His peripherals will be hard to rely on. However, his point production playing with star teammates in a premium matchup is there for the taking.
The San Jose Sharks, in their last ten fixtures without splits, in Per 60 metrics against are a bottom-of-the-league team in Goals, the fourth-worst in High-Danger Chances, and the worst in both Shots and Scoring Chances. Their metrics do not improve much when assessing their last ten home games in Per 60 metrics against. If Pearson and the Golden Knights can beat expected starter Yaroslav Askarov early, they can potentially have a big performance.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Tkachuk (DK $8.6K || FD $8.4K)
- Rakell (DK $6.8K || FD $6.7K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Erik Karlsson - DK $5.7K || FD $6.1K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Erik Karlsson may see a drop in ownership due to a large slate with many options and fellow defender Kris Letang (DK $5.2K || FD $5.5K) returning to the lineup. In Karlsson’s most recent five outings, he has one goal, three assists, 15 shots, and nine blocked shots.
In the Columbus Blue Jackets’ last ten games, without splits, in Per 60 metrics against, they are a bottom-ten team in both Scoring Chances and High-Danger Chances, and they are the fourth-worst in Goals and the second-worst in Shots. Considering how badly the Penguins need to win this Metro rivalry and the visitors' poor defense, Karlsson is in line for another big performance.
Noah Hanifin - DK $4.8K || FD $5.5K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
Noah Hanifin continues to be the glue that holds Vegas’ blueline together. The two-way defender has produced two goals, three assists, nine shots, and 13 blocked shots throughout his last five games. His peripherals are the best in the lineup and he holds the same ceiling potential as the two other star defenseman on the team, for a fraction of the salary.
As mentioned, the San Jose Sharks continue to fumble defensively, conceding chance after chance to the opposition. This provides Hanifin with the perfect situation to have another big performance. An optimal matchup, a role on the power-play, and a high-octane offense. Expect Hanifin to produce three shots, one point, and two blocked shots.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Sanderson (DK $5K || FD $5.9K)
- Faber (DK $4K || FD $5.2K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- DAL1
- TOR1
- VGK1
- PIT1
- EDM1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- DAL: Benn-Duchene-Johnston
Chalk Stack
- VGK: Pearson-Eichel-Stone
Sneaky Stack
- CGY: Huberdeau-Kadri-Pospisil
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis