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
Connor Hellebuyck ($8,300): The Winnipeg Jets are borderline desperate for a win right now in the midst of a very tight Western Conference Wild Card race. They have a favorable matchup against the Detroit Red Wings, which has the Jets positioned as -260 home favorites tonight.
Hellebuyck has been solid in net all season for the Jets and comes in with 22.0 goals saved above expectation (GSAx), which is the sixth-best in the league. We've seen that on display in recent outings with Hellebuyck allowing no more than three goals in 9 of his last 10 games.
For the Red Wings, they are scoring just 1.72 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations in March (second-lowest in the league). This is a soft matchup for Hellebuyck to pick up a much-needed win for the Jets.
High Salaried Skaters
Jason Robertson ($9,100): Robertson and the Dallas Stars have a 3.25 implied goal total tonight against the Arizona Coyotes, which should make them a popular option in all formats. The Stars offer some good offensive upside and have been showing that since the start of March, where they have scored 3.24 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations (fourth-best in the league).
That type of scoring potential will always put them in a good spot for tournaments, and that should make Robertson a main target tonight. He's on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 11 NHL points and 31 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
That doesn't tell the entire story since Robertson has no goals over his last four games despite racking up 12 shots on goal. He's due for some positive shooting regression, and this is certainly the type of matchup that can help get that going.
Artemi Panarin ($7,400): The New York Rangers lead the slate with a 3.44 implied goal total against the Buffalo Sabres tonight. The Sabres are in a unique spot tonight because goalie, Devon Levi, will be making his NHL debut. The highly-touted prospect finished out his season in college at Northeastern and will be making the jump directly to the NHL. The Rangers have one of the stronger offenses in the league, and I'm siding with them over a goalie making his debut.
The Sabres are already struggling right now, allowing 3.99 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations in March, which is the third-worst in the league. With Panarin skating on the first forward line and the first power-play, he will have plenty of chances to add to the 11 NHL points and 23 shots on goal he's amassed over his last 10 games.
Value Skaters
Andrew Mangiapane ($4,300): The Calgary Flames have a solid 3.38 implied goal total tonight and could be in for a higher-scoring game against the Vancouver Canucks. The over/under is set at 6.5, and with both teams a bit lackluster on defense this season, we could certainly see some pucks hitting twine tonight.
Mangiapne has an awesome offensive role on the first forward line and the first power-play unit -- all while being under $5K. He's certainly not the most productive player with 4 NHL points, 25 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots in his last 10 games, but the offensive role is too good to pass up at this salary.
Blake Wheeler ($4,900): Throughout March, the Red Wings allowed the eighth-most (3.17) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which puts the Jets' offense in a good spot tonight.
The Jets come in with a 3.26 implied goal total and will certainly look to hit that in an effort to pick up a much-need win. Wheeler is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, coming in with 4 NHL points, 20 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots over his last 10 games.