James Nichols breaks out his top NHL DFS picks for a big Wednesday night of hockey.
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NHL DFS Picks for Jan. 29
*All DFS picks geared toward the Fanduel platform. Fanduel uses a salary cap of $55,000.
Washington Capitals
Let’s load up on Capitals fire-power tonight against a struggling Nashville Predators team. Alex Ovechkin and company have only visited the Predators once this season back on October 10. Ovechkin netted two goals on two shots that night, one coming on the power play, and in 49 games is more than halfway to 50 goals yet again. With fresh legs after opting out of the All-Star Game, and serving his one-game suspension, the Great Eight will be a force tonight. Ovechkin might come at the hefty price of $9200, but for tonight, he is worth the cost. Nicklas Backstrom set Ovechkin up in his office on the power play that night, and the dynamic duo will look to connect again. Backstrom’s exposure to the Capitals’ first power-play unit with Ovechkin, as well as the NHL’s leading scorer on defense, John Carlson, makes Backstrom’s $6700 price tag a bargain.
Capitals bench boss, Todd Reirden, already revealed he will be going back to Braden Holtby after his strong performance Monday against Montreal. In one start against the Predators this year, Holtby allowed six goals against. However, the anticipation is that he won’t let that happen again with rookie phenom Ilya Samsonov outplaying him this season. Holtby is looking to take his starts and the starting goalie role back. Look for Holtby to continue playing well after Monday’s 31 save performance, where Tom Wilson called him “our rock” in a media scrum. Well spend up at $8100, especially with the Predators visiting Capital One Arena.
The Predators are averaging 3.25 goals against per game, and when Ovechkin is your opponent, this doesn’t bode well for Nashville.
Bo Horvat
Horvat seemingly loves to play against San Jose this season, and with the disaster that has been the Sharks goaltending, you need Horvat in your lineup. Horvat will cost you $5900, and honestly, that’s low for him. In three games against the Sharks this year, Horvat has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists), and is on the Canucks’ first power-play unit with J.T. Miller, Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser, and All-Star Quinn Hughes. That’s, um, pretty good.
Alex Killorn
Killorn has quietly been having himself the best season of his career. Already having potted 20 goals, he is just two points shy of shattering his previous career-high of 41 points. With 35 games to go, it’s apparent Killorn will set a new career-high. Tampa Bay will visit Los Angelas tonight for their second meeting of the season. Killorn already has a goal against the Kings this season. And although he plays on the third line, he is exposed to the first unit power play with Brayden Point, Steven Stamkos, Nikita Kucherov, and Victor Hedman. At a surprisingly low $5200, cash in against a struggling Kings squad.
Matthew Tkachuk
Did we mention it’s Wednesday Night Rivalry? The Battle of Alberta has been revived at the hands of Calgary’s Tkachuk and Edmonton’s Zack Kassian, literally. Tkachuk and Kassian have been exchanging words through the media since their last meeting, where Kassian took exception to a few hits by Tkachuk. Expect the categories to be covered in this game though, as Tkachuk rises to the occasion in these situations. The gritty forward will throw his body around for hits, add up the shot total, and we won’t be surprised if he gets on the board. Playing on Calgary’s first line, and on their first power-play unit, expect a big night at just $6000 for Tkachuk.
Conor Garland
Garland has been hot as of late, and he has found good chemistry on the Coyotes first line. In his past five games, Garland has 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists) playing alongside Taylor Hall and Christian Dvorak. Garland gets exposure to the first unit power play with fellow line-mates Hall and Dvorak, as well as Phil Kessel and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. At just $4500, get Garland in your lineup.
Quinn Hughes
How is it that the All-Star defenseman is only priced at $4000? Hughes has been simply remarkable this season. He is quarterbacking the first unit power play for the high powered Canucks. In two games against San Jose, Hughes has a goal and an assist and has averaged 24:44 minutes of ice-time. Expect similar production from the rookie, especially being on the same power-play unit as Horvat and co.
Tyson Barrie
With Morgan Rielly down, Barrie is the man to step into the #1 defenseman role. Barrie gets first defense pairing minutes, as well as first unit power play exposure. Dating back to the 2016-2017 season, Barrie has faced the Dallas Stars a total of 13 times. In those 13 games, Barrie has amassed 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists). The Maple Leafs are an offensive juggernaut, and since Barrie is now QB1 on their power play with William Nylander, John Tavares, Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews, you will want to roster him. Get Barrie in your lineup at just $5200.
The Lineup of NHL DFS Picks
Center
Nicklas Backstrom – $6700
Bo Horvat – $5900
Wing
Alex Ovechkin – $9200
Alex Killorn – $5200
Matthew Tkachuk – $6000
Defensemen
Quinn Hughes – $4000
Tyson Barrie – $5200
Goalie
Braden Holtby – $8100
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