NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 12/3/21

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 ($8,500): The New York Rangers are -210 home favorites tonight against the San Jose Sharks, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. Shesterkin has been unbelievable for the Rangers this season, coming in with seven wins in his last 10 games while allowing two or fewer goals in each of his last six starts.

There's an argument to be made that he's simply the best goalie in the league right now, and facing the Sharks shouldn't be a massive issue. The Sharks come in scoring 2.02 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-lowest in the league. The Sharks also have the seventh-lowest (50.7) Corsi For (total shot attempts created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting Shesterkin in a spot for a win on par with what he's done recently.

High-Priced Skaters

Max Pacioretty ($8,200): In the three games since his return from an injury, Pacioretty has 4 NHL points and 17 shots on goal -- an elite level of production. Pacioretty played only two games at the start of the season and was off to a great start with 3 NHL points and 13 shots on goal in that time. A lower-body injury sidelined him for nearly six weeks, and it's as if he never left. He's right back on the top forward line and the top power-play line for the Vegas Golden Knights, who come in with a slate-high 3.52 implied total tonight versus the Arizona Coyotes.

Look to stack Pacioretty with Mark Stone ($7,500) and Chandler Stephenson ($5,300) since they are fully correlated from the first forward line onto the first power-play unit. With the Coyotes allowing the ninth-most goals (2.68) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, the Golden Knights should be in for plenty of scoring tonight.

Leon Draisaitl ($10,500): It'd be silly to not mention Draisaitl and/or Connor McDavid ($10,400) on tonight's slate, and they're both in play. What's true about Draisaitl is essentially the same for McDavid -- sure, their stats are slightly different, but the matchup is the same against the Seattle Kraken and they carry the same upside. Speaking of the Kraken, they are dead last in the league for the most goals (3.18) allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting the Edmonton Oilers in a fantastic spot. It's simple -- if you have the salary, roster the two best offensive players in the league against a horrible defense.

Value Skaters

Joonas Donskoi ($3,800): The Kraken have a 3.09 implied total, and despite being home underdogs versus the Oilers, you can look to stack Seattle. The Oilers have an awesome offense, but they're bad on defense, allowing the seventh-most (2.83) goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Due to a few injuries on the Kraken, Donskoi has been bumped up to the first forward line and the first power-play unit. He has five NHL points, nine shots on goal, and six blocked shots in his last 10 games -- numbers that should all increase with his new role.

Andrew Copp ($5,300): The Winnipeg Jets carry a 3.12 implied total tonight and are -194 home favorites, making them a clear stacking target. Even though the Jets' offense has taken a step back over the past two weeks, they are still generating plenty of offensive chances. Over the past 10 games, Copp has 33 shots on goal, which is the third-most on the team, but only one goal. His roles on the second forward line and the second power-play are secure. He just needs a bit of puck luck to find the back of the net.