Welcome to the Fantasy Alarm NHL Playbook. This is your one-stop shop for everything DFS related for tonight’s 9-game slate. There are a boat load of games to choose from and many ways to make a winning lineup! We have some very good matchups to cover, so let’s get into the action.

For the NHL Bets, there are plenty of angles to attack on the slate and some spots might surprise you! Check out the wagers and if you like the rationale then tail them. You can get every expect pick, including mine, right here.

Season Record: 58-39-0

Season Bankroll: +9.48 Units

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NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 12/16

 

Capitals vs. Wild Prediction 

Two of the league's best defensive teams square off tonight in what should be a batten down the hatches type of matchup. Since Thanksgiving both teams have been sensational at stopping offenses with the Capitals allowing just 1.9 goals per game over the past 10 games and the Wild not far behind at 2.2. Both marks are the 1st and 2nd fewest in the NHL during this time span. Goalie play has also been excellent with Logan Thompson of the Capitals holding down a 2.09 GAA and .922 SV% while Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson have mainted GAAs in the mid to low 2s as a tandem. The addition of Quinn Hughes certainly gives the Wild a boost on offense but they are still not deep at forward and the Capitals like to play things as tight checking as they can. The under is a slam dunk here for me tonight. 

Pick: Capitals & Wild Under 6 (-115 on BetMGM)

Ducks vs. Blue Jackets Prediction 

This matchup is the complete opposite of the other bet and the goals should flow like water! The Ducks offense has been one of the best all season and over the past 10 games that has remained true with them scoring 3.1 goals per game but with 3.68 goals expected per game! That means they could be playing much better and the Blue Jackets is the worst in hockey over that same time span allowing 4.1 goals per game. Columbus scores nearly 2.8 goals per game on home ice which isn't great but if they can maintain that average the total will be nearly 6.5 in the implied numbers. The over is the way to go in this game, let the offense rule the roost!

Pick: Ducks & Blue Jackets Over 6.5 (-125 on FanDuel)

Other Best Bets/Props

  • Auston Matthews Over 3.5 Shots On Goal (-140 on DraftKings)
  • Bruins Money Line (-105 on DraftKings)
  • Oilers & Penguins Over 6.5 Goals (-105 on DraftKings)
 

 

Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks

Goalie of The Day - Igor Shesterkin - NYR

I am back to the well on Shesterkin tonight as the Rangers host the Canucks. Vancouver over the past 10 games has seen the offense bottom out and more of a bite was taken out of them with the Quinn Hughes trade. They are scoring just 2.1 goals per game right now and this is a game the Rangers should win in front of Shesterkin. The upside could be a bit capped but one of the safest plays on the board in for sure the Rangers netminder. 

Player of The Day: Auston Matthews - TOR

Big time matchup for the Maple Leafs offense against a Blackhawks team that allows 3.5 goals per game on the road and a whopping 33.4 shots against per game. Matthews comes into this juicy matchup with 3 goals in the last 6 games and 26 shots and while those aren't the standard for him he has been getting back into form from and injury earlier in the season. The Leafs need wins bad and I like that sense of urgency in my pay up spots, I expect a multi point night from the star center. 

Value Play of The Day: Elias Lindholm - BOS

Gone are the days of the scary Utah defense and the low scoring games, this team is on the down turn in the worst way. Mammoth have given up 3.6 expected goals per game over their last 10 contests and their Corsi ratings have fallen off a cliff. Enter the Bruins and Lindholm tonight on home ice who have held their own in staying above in league scoring for most of the season. Lindholm isn't a scorer but he does anchor a line of David Pastrnak and Morgan Geekie and that line is going to feast tonight. Getting a piece of all that at 4.1k on DraftKings? Sign me up for that. 

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Player Pool

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