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 or 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 to take a look at today's slate and some players to consider for your lineups.
Goalie to Target
Igor Shesterkin ($8,200): The New York Rangers are the largest favorite (-320) on tonight's slate, and they make a clear option at goalie tonight. Shesterkin has been confirmed as tonight's starter and comes in with three wins in his last five games and has a high chance of picking up another win tonight against the Buffalo Sabres. Ultimately, that is what you are paying up for with Shesterkin. The win equity and safety he brings to your lineup is something that is ideal for cash games. The Sabres are only scoring 1.86 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the lowest in the league. They offer very little of a threat on offense, putting Shesterkin in a spot for a clean win.
High-Priced Skaters
Sean Couturier ($7,300): The Philadelphia Flyers have a very solid 3.44 implied goal total tonight against the New Jersey Devils, and this is a great spot to look for some offense. Three of the four games between these teams this season have hit the over, according to KillerSports. This shouldn't be too much of a surprise since both teams are in the bottom seven of the league when it comes to goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This means we should see plenty of back and forth scoring, which is great for a potential game stack.
Couturier skates on the first forward line and the first power-play for the Flyers, putting him in a spot to see plenty of ice time against a weak Devils' defense. Over the last 10 games, Couturier has 6 NHL points, 29 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots. He should be good for all formats tonight, so look to stack him with the Flyers' first power-play unit for tournaments.
Adam Fox ($6,200): If you want safety and consistent points for your cash game lineups tonight, look to Fox from the Rangers. He not only has 9 NHL points in his last 10 games but has also posted 15 shots on goal and 18 blocked shots. The floor of points you get from Fox on a nightly basis has him among the best defenders in the league and he sees time on the first power-play unit, giving him a bit of offensive upside.
The Sabres come into this game allowing the fifth-most (2.82) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, along with the seventh-worst Corsi Against (55.29) (Total Shot Attempts Allowed). You should expect the Rangers and their first two forward lines to be very popular in cash games tonight, and it's due to their soft matchup at home.
Value Skaters
Jack Hughes ($4,900): As noted above, when the Devils and the Flyers play this season, we are seeing plenty of scoring. That means you want to be getting exposure to this game in any way that you can and Hughes offers that at a very reasonable salary. He is the center on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Devils and is under $5,000. Even though he only has 5 NHL points in his last 10 games, he has a whopping 38 shots on goal, giving him some consistency each night. That volume of shot attempts will always put him in a position to score, especially in a matchup such as this one.
Nikita Gusev ($3,500): Gusev continues to skate on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Florida Panthers while remaining only $3,500. It's obvious he hasn't done much in his seven games with the Panthers, with only 3 NHL points and 16 shots on goal, but his role is too good to pass up at this salary. He should really only be used in a stack with Aleksander Barkov, which can help maximize his scoring upside.