NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 12/15/21
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
Keith Kinkaid ($6,500): The New York Rangers are on the second night of a back-to-back, and it means we could be seeing Kinkaid in net versus the Arizona Coyotes. Kinkaid was recently called up by the Rangers since their top goalie Igor Shesterkin is still on injured reserve. Kinkaid is a veteran but hasn't played in the NHL this season, so why are we targeting him tonight? There are two very simple reasons.
First off, he is $6,500, which is the minimum salary for a goalie, and considering it's a small three-game slate, the salary relief is always needed. Second, he is up against the Coyotes, who are only scoring 1.74 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-lowest in the league. The Rangers are down to their third-string goalie, yet they are still -240 road favorites -- which should tell you enough about the quality of the Coyotes this season.
High-Priced Skaters
Mika Zibanejad ($6,800): As mentioned above, the Rangers are -240 road favorites against the Coyotes, and they also come in with a slate-high 3.25 implied goal total. This makes them a clear team to target in all formats since the Coyotes are allowing 2.94 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations; that puts them as the third-worst team in the league.
Zibanejad is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Rangers, and that puts him in a spot to have a high floor and a high ceiling due to his offensive role. His production over the last 10 games has been modest with 6 NHL points, 28 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots, but hopefully, this soft matchup will get that scoring jumpstarted.
Alex Ovechkin ($9,500): When we have a small three-game slate, it's silly to fade a player like Alex Ovechkin. He is the best player on the slate and while he is high-salaried at $9,500, you should be focusing on getting him into your lineups. The Washington Capitals are -154 road favorites and carry a 2.97 implied goal total against the Chicago Blackhawks -- a great matchup to attack. This season, the Blackhawks are allowing the ninth-most (2.71) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting the Capitals' offense in a plus matchup.
Value Skaters
Jamie Drysdale ($4,200): With a few elite wingers on tonight's slate, finding value on defense could be a key part of roster construction. Drysdale is the defender on the Anaheim Ducks' first line and the first power-play unit. He has managed to rack up 13 NHL points, 51 shots on goal, and 34 blocked shots through 30 games this season. Ultimately, you'd be targeting him due to the matchup versus the Seattle Kraken, who are allowing a league-worst 3.23 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The Ducks have an average offense, but the matchup is too good to pass up.
