NHL DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Friday, January 9

Written by

Michael Finewax

Published on January 9, 2026

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SLATE PREVIEW

There are three games on the NHL slate Friday. Washington travels to Chicago, a tired Winnipeg team hosts LA and St. Louis plays in Utah. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.

GOALIE

Logan Thompson, WAS at CHI ($8,000): Thompson usually plays in two of every three games, and Friday will make it his second straight start. He's due for a solid outing having gone 0-3-1 during his last four while 15-12-4 overall alongside a 2.40 GAA and .915 save percentage.

VALUE PLAY

JJ Peterka, UTA vs. STL ($5,000): Peterka is having a decent first year in Utah with 15 goals and 14 assists. He hasn't found the scoresheet over his last three matchups, but has registered three assists in two games versus St. Louis this season.

FORWARD LINE STACK

Kings at Jets

Kevin Fiala (W - $6,500) Adrian Kempe (W - $7,100), Quinton Byfield (W - $4,800)

Fiala is riding a five-game scoring streak where he's produced three goals and four assists to give him 16 and 15 on the season that includes 12 power-play points. Kempe is slightly behind his pace from last year when he tallied 35 goals and 38 assists as he's at 15 and 19 so far. Byfield has notched three points across his last three appearances and will go up against a Winnipeg side that just lost their 11th straight on Thursday.

DEFENSEMAN

Artyom Levshunov, CHI vs. WAS ($3,500): Levshunov has a goal and five assists over his last nine outings. He continues to quarterback Chicago's top power play (10 points there) and will be facing a Caps' penalty kill that has surprisingly struggled this season.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Michael Finewax plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: finny_flyers, DraftKings: michaelfinewa-19CVH.