NHL DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Tuesday (1/30)

The NHL offers up a slim two-game slate tonight as the league nears the All-Star Break. Despite having just 120 minutes of hockey on the schedule, this is still plenty of action to get involved from a DFS standpoint. Below I’ve locked in this nine-man roster over at DraftKings, and it’s playable in the classic $50,000 salary format. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel. Let’s dive into who I believe will close out the first half of the year with a productive night.

Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis

The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.

C1: Jared McCann (SEA) | $6,900 DK/$7,100 FD

I have three Kraken skaters on my roster tonight and to be blunt about it, it’s because they’ll have a favorable matchup against the worst defense in the league. The Sharks rank dead last in both overall defense (3.71 GAA) and on the penalty kill (72.15%).

It makes sense in my mind to splurge on McCann, who has been one of the batteries of this Seattle offense. He’s third on the team in scoring (20G, 15A) and ranks second in shots on goals (SOG) with 121. McCann has racked up 14 points (7G, 7A) on the power play and I expect this unit to find plenty of success tonight in San Jose.

C2: Kevin Hayes (STL) | $3,500 DK/$4,700 FD

I think Hayes can make an excellent depth option tonight as the Blues take on the lowly Blue Jackets. Hayes is currently fifth on the team in scoring, picking up 21 points on 10 goals and 11 apples. St. Louis’ offense should dominate against Columbus’ defense, which is ranked 30th in the league (3.49 GAA).

W1: Oliver Bjorkstrand (SEA) | $6,700 DK/$6,500 FD

My other Seattle forward is Bjorkstrand, who leads the team in scoring with 40 points (13G, 27A). Bjorkstrand has emerged as an excellent scoring option for the Kraken, and he has been proactive, leading the way in SOG (129). The winger will have a serious chance to light the lamp tonight considering San Jose is dead last in 5-on-5 high-danger shots allowed (133).

W2: Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ) | $4,500 DK/$5,200 FD

I have a couple of Blue Jackets in my lineup tonight, starting with Gaudreau. The winger is putting together a decent season with Columbus as he leads the way in scoring (7G, 24A). He has notched at least one assist in five of his past seven games, so it’s safe to say he’s playing quality hockey at the moment. The Blue Jackets will take on a middle-of-the-pack Blues’ defense (15th, 2.94 GAA), so Gaudreau should have opportunities to register another point.

W3: Brandon Saad (STL) | $3,500 DK/$4,200 FD

Saad (13G, 8A) comes into tonight’s game tied with Hayes in terms of scoring on St. Louis’ roster. Like Hayes, I think the winger should have a chance to add a point or two tonight against this lousy Jackets’ defense. Columbus is the second-worst team when it comes to allowing 5-on-5 high-danger shots (118), which is only better than San Jose in the category.

D1: Vince Dunn (SEA) | $5,800 DK/$6,500 FD

While we’re plucking the cream of the crop in Seattle, we might as well add Vince Dunn to the lineup. The d-man is sandwiched in between Bjorkstrand and McCann in terms of scoring, where he has amassed 37 points (8G, 29A). Dunn has picked up 14 power-play points on four goals and 10 helpers. I like for Dunn to make his way onto the score sheet tonight.

D2: Ivan Provorov (CBJ) | $4,200 DK/$4,800 FD

I’ll ride with Provorov as my second d-man tonight. Zach Werenski tops Columbus’ score sheet among defensemen, but I don’t think it’s worth shelling out an extra $2,700 for him. It’s hardly an edge as Werenski enters with 27 points (1G, 26A) while Provorov has 23 (4G, 19A). Columbus may find some success offensively tonight as they square off against a St. Louis team that has allowed exactly three goals in each of its past four games.

G: Joey Daccord (SEA) |$8,200 DK/$8,200 FD

As of this writing (Tuesday morning), it’s unconfirmed if Daccord will get the nod in net tonight. So, make sure to check back and adjust as needed. However, the 27-year-old has started in 12 of Seattle’s past 13 games, so I think he’ll get the nod as the Kraken try to close out the first half with a win. Daccord will have an excellent matchup against a Sharks side that’s also dead last offensively, scoring only 2.1 goals per game. He has been excellent in his own right, going 15-8-9 with a 2.36 GAA (4th) and .920 SV% (5th). I think Daccord turns in a monster night for Seattle.

UTIL: Boone Jenner (CBJ) | $6,700 DK/$6,400 FD

I’ll round out my lineup with Jenner, who has 18 points (13G, 5A) in 34 games this year. Despite missing 15 games, the centerman is third on the Blue Jackets in goals scored. He’s also fifth on the team in SOG (91) and leads the way in time on ice per game (19:31) among forwards. The Blues have allowed the ninth-most 5-on-5 high-danger shots (110), so look for Jenner to be active when it comes to firing pucks on net.