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 ($8,800): The Winnipeg Jets are solid -235 road favorites against the Anaheim Ducks, which should make Hellebuyck a popular option tonight. Hellebuyck has been one of the strongest goalies in the league this season, and we've seen that on full display in recent starts. He has allowed three goals or fewer in each of his last five games.
That shouldn't be too much of a surprise since he comes in with 23.9 Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx), which is the fourth-best mark in the league. This is also a very favorable matchup since the Ducks aren't known for their offense and come in scoring just 2.12 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, which is the second-worst in the league. This puts Hellebuyck in a spot to come away with a clean win.
High Salaried Skaters
David Pastrnak ($10,100): With a 4.23 implied goal total, the Boston Bruins sit atop the slate -- a spot we've seen them for most of the season. They are the best team in the league and have one of the softest matchups as you can imagine as they host the Montreal Canadiens tonight. Over the last month, the Canadiens are allowing 3.44 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-worst in the league.
This is a defense we've attacked all season, and there's no reason to stop now. Pastrnak is one of the elite goal-scorers in the league and is truly one of the few players that brings hat-trick potential on any given slate.
He's on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 13 NHL points and whopping 48 shots on goal over his last 10 games. All things considered, Pasta should be one of the most popular players in all formats tonight.
Elias Pettersson ($9,700): With a 6.5 over/under, the Vancouver Canucks hosting the San Jose Sharks is an elite fantasy matchup. To say both teams struggle on defense would be putting it nicely, but that just sets things up for plenty of offense and fantasy production.
To be specific, the Sharks are allowing 3.99 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last month, which is the second-worst in the league. This puts Pettersson in a great spot. He comes in with 13 NHL points, 26 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots in his last 10 games while skating on the first forward line and the first power-play unit.
Steven Stamkos ($7,500): The Tampa Bay Lightning are in need of a bit of a bounceback win after suffering a rather surprising loss to the Canadiens the other night. They are on the road to take on the Ottawa Senators, who are allowing the seventh-most (3.24) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last month.
This gives Tampa a solid 3.47 implied goal total tonight -- a mark they could easily reach and exceed. Stammer is lacking a bit in the shot volume recently with only 17 shots on goal over his last 10 games, but he does have 7 NHL points in that time. They need to snap a two-game losing streak, and this is the time for Stamkos to get back on track.
Value Skaters
T.J. Oshie ($5,700): The Washington Capitals could be the fantasy target for the remaining portion of the season since they have a hot offense and a horrible defense. Over the past month, they are in the bottom three of the league for goals allowed and in the top two of the league in goals scored (both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations). This creates very dynamic and high-scoring games, which present plenty of fantasy upside.
Oshie is on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 9 NHL points, 14 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots in his last 10 games. The Chicago Blackhawks don't present an issue on defense, and we should be in for another big offensive night.
Ivan Barbashev ($4,800): Barbashev is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Vegas Golden Knights, which is a massive offensive role for a player under $5K. This is a clear case of a player's salary not matching his current role, and that's something we should be jumping on.
That role has allowed him to rack up a solid 7 NHL points, 20 shots on goal, and 9 blocked shots in his last 10 games. The matchup against the Calgary Flames has a 6.5 over/under, and with his strong offensive role, he should be in a spot for more scoring tonight.