The NHL is closing out 2024 with a bang, as 26 teams are set to take the ice for a loaded 13-game slate today. I’m looking to get some skin in the game, and I’m heading the DFS route tonight. This nine-man lineup is eligible for DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary competitions, and it features players from the nine games that start at 8:00 p.m. ET or later. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel’s $55,000 salary equivalent.
Tuesday’s NHL DFS Picks & Advice
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Matt Duchene (C – DAL) | DraftKings: $5,100/FanDuel: $5,900
One of my favorite bets of the day is the over 6.0 goals in this contest between the Sabres and Stars. Before Buffalo’s current 3-0-0 run, they had lost 13 straight games (0-10-3), conceding 4.2 goals per game over the 13-game sample size. Overall, they’re 27th in both GAA (3.05) and SV% (.886). So, I’ll ride with Dallas’ top-line center, Matt Duchene.
The veteran centerman leads the Stars in points (33) and assists (19). He’s also averaging a modest 1.7 shots on goal per game (SOG/G). Duchene is set to have his hand in a goal or two tonight in Dallas.
C2: Nico Hischier (C – NJD) | DraftKings: $6,700/FanDuel: $7,200
One of my more expensive players tonight is Nico Hischier, who enters tonight’s game against the Ducks ranked third on the Devils in scoring (18 goals, 16 assists). His 18 goals lead the team, while his 108 SOG are fourth. Hischier has 12 power-play points (five goals, seven assists) and draws a matchup against an Anaheim penalty kill that’s just 28th in the league (72.73%).
The Ducks have also faced the most high-danger shots (166) during all situations (5-on-5, penalty kill, etc.).
W1: Brock Boeser (RW – VAN) | DraftKings: $6,000/FanDuel: $5,900
Vancouver’s Brock Boeser continues to prove he’s one of the sharpest shooters in the NHL. Despite playing in only 28 of the team’s 35 games, he’s second in goals scored (13) and fifth in points (24).
The winger has racked up five goals in his last three games and draws a matchup against a Flames team ranked 29th on the penalty kill (72.22%). I like Boeser to light the lamp in Calgary tonight.
W2: Jack Roslovic (C – CAR) | DraftKings: $4,100/FanDuel: $5,500
Speaking of lighting the lamp, Carolina’s Jack Roslovic has done so on 16 occasions this year, which leads the team. His 24 points are fifth on the team. He’s also coming off of a three-point (two goals, one assist) night against the Devils last time out.
Roslovic should get plenty of scoring opportunities against a Columbus side ranked 31st in GAA (3.43) and SV% (.876).
W3: Fabian Zetterlund (LW – SJS) | DraftKings: $4,000/FanDuel: $6,000
I have a couple of players locked in for tonight’s Flyers vs. Sharks game. First, San Jose’s Fabian Zetterlund, who I feel is an excellent value option tonight. The winger is fourth on the team in scoring (11 goals, 15 assists) and fifth in SOG (79).
Mostly, I like this play on Zetterlund as his Sharks will face a downward-trending Flyers defense at home. Philadelphia is just 30th in GAA (3.35) and dead last in SV% (.868). During their current 2-5-0 run, the Flyers are conceding 5.6 goals per game. Look for the Sharks to light them up tonight in San Jose.
D1: Josh Morrissey (D – WPG) | DraftKings: $5,900/FanDuel: $6,600
I’ll ride with Josh Morrissey as my top defenseman tonight. He was held scoreless against the Predators yesterday but still ranks third on the roster with 34 points (three goals, 31 assists). His 31 helpers are the 10th-most in the NHL. Winnipeg is still a top-five offense (third — 3.7 goals per game) and boasts the league’s best power-play unit (31.82%).
They’ll take on a Colorado defense that is trending upward but isn’t immune to getting lit up. They’re 21st on the penalty kill (77.66%). There’s a chance there’s a ton of scoring in this matchup, which should favor us greatly.
D2: Erik Karlsson (D – PIT) | DraftKings: $5,100/FanDuel: $5,900
I like this matchup for the Penguins against the Red Wings tonight. Detroit is just 1-4-0 in their last five games. They’ve given up an average of four goals per game during the stretch.
The Red Wings are also just 31st on the penalty kill (69.7%). While Erik Karlsson may not be as dangerous from the power-play blue line these days, this is an excellent matchup for him and the Penguins’ man-advantage unit.
G: Filip Gustavsson (G – MIN) | DraftKings: $7,800/FanDuel: $8,200
Well, it’s a tough draw for the Predators, as they’re running into the Vezina Trophy frontrunners in back-to-back days. Nashville was shutout 3-0 by Connor Hellebuyck (-400 to win the award at DraftKings) and the Jets yesterday, and now they’re tasked with trying to score on Filip Gustavsson (+275) and the Wild tonight.
Gustavsson is putting together an excellent campaign, entering tonight’s action with a record of 16-6-3 (fifth-most wins), a 2.26 GAA (fourth) and a .923 SV% (third). Meanwhile, Nashville is dead last in both offensive production (2.4 goals per game) and shooting% (8.38%), while sitting 21st on the power play (18.87%). I like Gustavsson at this relatively cheap price.
UTIL: Matvei Michkov (RW – PHI) | DraftKings: $5,200/FanDuel: $5,800
I’ll round out my roster with Philadelphia’s Matvei Michkov. The Flyers winger is +200 to win the Calder Trophy, where he’s trailing only Macklin Celebrini (-180), who will also be playing in this contest.
Michkov is adjusting well to the NHL, where he has 12 goals and 17 assists in 35 games played. Only Travis Konecny has more points (41) on Philly’s roster. Michkov is also averaging two SOG/G. This is a favorable matchup for the Flyers’ offense, as the Sharks are 29th in GAA (3.31), 18th in SV% (.892) and 31st in high-danger shots against (159).
