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
Jake Oettinger ($8,500): The Dallas Stars are borderline desperate for a win at this point and have a soft matchup against the lowly Arizona Coyotes to get back on track. The Stars come in as losers in six of their last seven games but still find themselves as -375 home favorites, which should tell you enough about the state of the Coyotes.
Despite some recent losses, Oettinger still has 16.3 goals saved above expected (GSAx), which is the eighth-best in the league. Over the course of the season, the Coyotes are scoring 2.24 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which was the sixth-lowest in the league. This is a great matchup for Oettinger and the Stars to right the ship and pick up a win.
High-Salaried Skaters
Mika Zibanejad ($8,500): Zibanejad and the New York Rangers have a 3.49 implied goal total tonight against the Philadelphia Flyers, which should make them a popular option in all formats. February was a hot month for the Rangers' offense, as they scored 3.17 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, the eighth-best mark in the league. During that same time, the Flyers allowed 3.08 goals, which was the eighth-worst.
This should put the Rangers' offense in a spot to continue putting up big numbers, and Zibanejad should be right in the middle of that. He is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 12 NHL points, 24 shots on goal, and 12 blocked shots over his last 10 games. Look to stack him with Chris Kreider ($6,500) and Vladimir Tarasenko ($5,800).
William Nylander ($8,800): Nylander has been one of the hottest players in the league recently, and we should see that on full display tonight against the Edmonton Oilers, where the over/under is set at 6.5. Both offenses are elite and sit in the top 10 for the most goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season. This sets things up for a very fantasy-friendly scoring environment, which you should look to get some exposure to.
Nylander comes in with a whopping 40 shots on goal, 14 NHL points, and 4 blocked shots in his last 10 games. He's on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, giving him a clear chance to reach for another multi-point outing in what could be the highest-scoring game of the night.
Value Skaters
Evgeny Kuznetsov ($5,200): The Washington Capitals have a slate-high 3.71 implied goal total against the Anaheim Ducks, putting them in a great spot for fantasy upside. The Capitals are looking for every single point they can get in the Eastern Conference playoff race, and this is a winnable game for them.
While Alex Ovechkin ($8,400) is always a great option, Kuznetsov has a much more affordable salary, and they skate together on the first forward line and the first power-play unit. Kuznetsov doesn't have the same ceiling that Ovi has, but getting cheaper exposure to the same unit is worth a shot. Kuzy comes in with 9 NHL points and 20 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
Tyler Seguin ($5,300): The Stars are rocking a 3.50 implied goal total against the Coyotes and are in desperate need of a win. Over the last month, the Coyotes allowed 2.82 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which was the 12th-worst in the league. This should be a magic elixir for the Stars' offense that only produced 2.05 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations during that same month.
Seguin has 2 NHL points and 19 shots on goal in his last five games while skating on the third forward line and the second power-play unit.