NHL DFS is similar to MLB in terms of how you build lineups, how you view stacking, and how to value players.
Two main points to always focus on in NHL DFS are what lines the players are on and making sure the goalies you are rostering are confirmed as the starters. Two of the best resources for that are LeftWingLock.com and DailyFaceOff.com. That is where you can find updated forward and power-play lines for each team, along with which goalies are confirmed as the starters.
Let's jump in and take a look at today's slate and some players to consider for your lineups.
Goalie to Target
Vitek Vanecek ($8,400): The New Jersey Devils are massive -330 road favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, which puts Vanecek in a spot for an easy win. The Devils have an elite offense, and the Ducks have a terrible defense. That is the gist of this matchup, and while Vanecek has been solid in net for the Devils, he won't need to stand on his head to win this game.
The Devils are scoring 3.01 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, which is the second-best in the league. Compare that to the Ducks, who are allowing a league-worst 3.50 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, and the Devils' offense is in a spot to dominate tonight.
High-Salaried Skaters
Jack Hughes ($9,600): Speaking of the Devils' offense, their young star, Hughes, has been piling up the stats recently. Over his last 10 games, he has 13 NHL points and a staggering 62 shots on goal. Every single night he carries a high floor of fantasy points along with a very high ceiling. They have a 4.06 implied goal total, and Hughes will likely play a hand if they reach or exceed that.
I mentioned above that the Ducks have a terrible defense, and somehow, it's actually getting worse. For the year, they are allowing 3.50 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, but over the last two weeks, they are allowing 4.72 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The second-worst team over the last two weeks is allowing 4.05 goals. The Ducks are the worse defense and continue to impress us with how bad they actually are. This has multi-point night written all over it for Hughes.
Connor McDavid ($10,500): It's a small three-game slate that features McDavid, which means you probably don't want to be fading him. McDavid can break any fantasy slate wide open with his ceiling, and the opportunity cost of passing on him is too high tonight. His stats speak for themselves with 15 NHL points, 38 shots on goal, and 8 blocked shots in his last 10 games.
The Edmonton Oilers have a 3.55 implied goal total against the San Jose Sharks, who continue to show they are a defense we want to target every time they are on the slate. San Jose sits in the bottom half of the league in goals allowed (3.23) and Corsi Against (57.35), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. It's too good of a matchup to pass on the best player on Earth.
Value Skaters
Ty Smith ($4,100): With Kris Letang still away from the team due to a personal matter, Ty Smith has been called up and taken his spot on the first power-play unit for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Smith has played in only five games since being called up and has 14 shots on goal and 3 NHL points. Pretty solid production for a player right above $4,000, making him a clear value option on a small three-game slate.
The Penguins have a 3.65 implied goal total against the Winnipeg Jets, who are on the second night of a back-to-back and will likely have their backup goalie in net. The Jets are a good defensive team but have begun to slip over the last two weeks. For the season, they only allow 2.21 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 10th-best in the league. However, over the last two weeks that has plummeted to 3.20 goals, which is the 10th-worst in the league. A struggling defense is always worth attacking.