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
Alex Nedeljkovic ($8,400): The rookie goaltender has looked amazing for the Carolina Hurricanes and is in a spot to pick up yet another win tonight. He has picked up wins in six of his last seven games, allowing two goals or fewer in each game, which is simply unbelievable in today's NHL. He is at home and the largest favorite (-280) on the slate set to take on the Chicago Blackhawks, who are struggling on offense. This season, the Blackhawks are only scoring 2.15 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-lowest in the league.
High-Priced Skaters
Sidney Crosby ($8,200): The Pittsburgh Penguins are taking on the Philadelphia Flyers and that means we are in for plenty of scoring tonight. In the six games they have played against each other this season, we have seen the over hit five times according to KillerSports. If we are in for a lot of scoring, I want to be looking to Crosby and the top line for the Penguins, who have 100% ice time and are all on the first power-play together. This is great to see since we know the potential scoring upside they have if they are able to double-dip on points.
The Flyers aren't playing a ton of defense this season, in fact, they are allowing 3.05 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league. With the Penguins scoring the sixth-most (2.67) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, I'm looking to side with Crosby and his offensive upside.
Sebastian Aho ($7,700): Aho and the Hurricanes have a slate-high 3.96 implied goal total tonight, so yeah, you want to be going to them in all formats. Aho comes in with 14 NHL points, 20 shots on goal, and 10 blocked shots in his last 10 games. While the production per game is solid, we'd like to see more shots on goal per game to help raise his floor of points. That can certainly be done tonight against the Blackhawks, who have the sixth-worst (57.12) Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Aho is still on the top forward line and the top power-play unit for the Hurricanes, who could be popular tonight due to their matchup.
Value Skaters
Craig Smith ($4,700): There's no doubt the Boston Bruins are in a great spot tonight because they get to take on the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are another team struggling on defense this season, allowing the ninth-most (2.66) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This is part of the reason we see the Bruins as massive -250 road favorites, pointing you in a very clear direction tonight. Smith is on the second forward line and the second power-play for the Bruins and comes in with 8 NHL points and 27 shots on goal in his last 10 games.
Joonas Donskoi ($3,400): While this is a bit of a punt play, there is plenty of logic behind it. Donskoi is back in the lineup for the Colorado Avalanche, who are carrying the second-highest (3.93) implied goal total on tonight's slate. OK, so we're getting exposure to a top offense via a value play, that's good. Although Donskoi is on the third forward line, he is skating on the first power-play unit alongside Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Gabriel Landeskog. Those players are all $7,000 or higher because they are some of the best offensive players in the league. Getting exposure to that unit at only $3,400 can be a massive addition to your lineups.