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
Alexandar Georgiev ($8,200): The Colorado Avalanche are -162 moneyline favorites against the Pittsburgh Penguins, which is a winnable matchup for Georgiev. Over the last month, the Avs are allowing 2.27 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the ninth-best in the league.
If we look at the Edmonton Oilers tonight, they are -490 moneyline favorites against the Arizona Coyotes, and goalie Stuart Skinner is $8,200. However, the big difference is that the Oilers are allowing 3.26 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last month, which is the seventh-most in the league.
It's a small two-game slate, which can make roster construction very difficult, but it's clear that Georgiev is the best goalie option at a lower salary.
High Salaried Skaters
Nathan MacKinnon ($10,300): MacKinnon has been on fire recently and can legitimately go head-to-head with Connor McDavid as a must-play option on tonight's slate. Over the last 10 games, MacKinnon has 16 NHL points, 47 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots.
The Avs' offense has hit a new level over the past month, scoring 3.67 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-best in the league. This is why we see the Avs carrying a 3.55 implied goal total against the Penguins, who are struggling on defense right now. Over that same time, the Penguins are allowing 2.98 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 12th-most in the league.
An offense that is peaking against a defense that is on a downswing sets up for plenty of goals, and with the production we've seen from MacKinnon, another multi-point performance is on the table tonight.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($8,100): The OIlers lead the slate with a 4.35 implied goal total against the Coyotes, which is a clear plus matchup for them. While Connor McDavid ($10,600) and Leon Draisaitl ($10,200) are both fantastic options, they are super high in salary. It can be tough to roster those two on a two-game slate where we have limited value options.
This is where RNH can be a clear option to target for your lineups. He's on the second forward line and on the first power-play unit, alongside McDavid and Draisaitl. He gets you exposure to them without having to pay up for their salaries. Sure, RNH doesn't have the same ceiling those two players have, but that's a given.
This isn't to say RNH isn't productive -- he has a very solid 14 NHL points and 30 shots on goal over the last 10 games.
Value Skaters
Bryan Rust ($5,200): The Penguins are on a four-game losing streak at the worst possible time, with a tight Eastern Conference Wild Card race coming down to the wire. They need to find some offense, and some of their role players offer a bit of value tonight, starting with Rust.
The recent 10 games haven't been great for Rust, who has only 1 NHL point and 19 shots on goal in that time. However, he is still on the first forward line and the second power-play unit, which are prime offensive roles. Yes, this is a tournament-only option, but there aren't many players with that type of offense role for $5,200 on tonight's slate.
Barrett Hayton ($5,800): Are the Coyotes good now? Well, they're playing better, specifically on the offensive side of things. For the season, they are scoring 2.32 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the eighth-fewest in the league. However, over the last month, that rate has climbed up to 2.78 Goals, which is 17th in the league.
That's a big jump, and with the Oilers' defense struggling right now, there's some scoring potential for the Yotes tonight. Hayton is the center on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 13 NHL points and 29 shots on goal over the last 10 games.