NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 12/14/21
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
Tristan Jarry ($8,400): With a super soft matchup at home versus the Montreal Canadiens, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in a spot to pick up the win tonight. Jarry is the likely starting goalie tonight and should be a strong option for cash games. He is having a career year with a .934 save percentage and only allowing 1.92 goals per game. Both of those are the best marks of his career, and considering his easy matchup against the Habs' offense, that should continue tonight.
Montreal comes in only scoring 1.80 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-lowest in the league. Not surprisingly, the Penguins' defense has been elite this season, allowing 1.96 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting them as the sixth-best in the league. This is a fantastic matchup for Jarry to continue his strong start and pick up another win.
High-Priced Skaters
Sam Bennett ($6,800): Stack the Florida Panthers tonight. That's the easy way to put things since they are -295 home favorites against the Ottawa Senators and carry a staggering 3.98 implied goal total tonight. These two teams couldn't be more different when it comes to offense and defense. The Senators are in the bottom 10 of the league in Goals Against (2.95), Corsi Against (62.12) (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), and High-Danger-Scoring-Chances allowed (11.90), all per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Apparently, defense is optional for the Senators this season and they have declined.
On the other hand, the Panthers are a juggernaut on offense, scoring the third-most goals (3.13) and holding a league beset (64.69) Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) -- both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. These are two teams at the opposite ends of the spectrum, and it should all point to plenty of scoring for the Panthers. Bennett is the center on the top line and the top power-play unit, which has led to him posting 5 NHL points and 42 shots on goal in his last 10 games.
William Nylander ($7,800): Nylander has been amazing this season, and he's probably not getting enough credit for it. When your teammate is Auston Matthews and he has 18 goals in 26 games, it's not surprising you could be overshadowed a bit. Regardless of that, Nylander is more than holding his own with 30 NHL points in 29 games along with 106 shots on goal (over 3.5 per game).
The Toronto Maple Leafs are going up against the Edmonton Oilers where the over/under is set at a high 6.5 goals, and this one is primed for an offensive shootout. With Nylander on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, he should be fully involved in helping the Leafs post their offense.
Value Skaters
Nate Schmidt ($4,300): Schmidt and the Winnipeg Jets have a great matchup versus the Buffalo Sabres tonight, and it should lead to them being a popular option in all formats. The Sabres are allowing the fifth-most (2.89) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations; that's a great reason to get some exposure to their offense. Schmidt is on the second power-play unit and has picked up 5 NHL points, 13 shots on goal, and 11 blocked shots in his last 10 games. He can be used as a lower-end cash game option on defense.
Alex Newhook ($4,400): With a number of different injuries for the Colorado Avalanche, Newhook is seeing an expanded offensive role. Injuries happen, and it gives players a chance to step up -- Newhook being at the top of the list recently. He has 5 NHL points and 10 shots on goals over his last five games while now seeing time on the second forward line and the second power-play unit.
The Avalanche have a strong 3.42 implied goal total tonight, and that makes Newhook one of the best value options on the slate.
