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
Ilya Sorokin ($8,400): The New York Islanders are heavy -260 home favorites against the Arizona Coyotes, making Sorokin a top target tonight. The Coyotes come in scoring only 2.18 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the ninth-lowest in the league. They are one of the easiest matchups for opposing goalies, and we've been targeting goalies against the Coyotes all season. They have a very high low expectation, and it's not going to stop now.
Sorokin has picked up the win in each of his last three starts, allowing a total of five goals in those three starts. However, he has seen 30 saves or fewer in three of the five starts, which may be good in real-life hockey, but the lack of saves limits his fantasy upside. He's a great cash game option due to the safety tonight but lacks massive tournament appeal -- unless he records a shutout, which is certainly doable in this matchup.
High-Priced Skaters
Brayden Point ($8,400): The Tampa Bay Lightning have a solid 3.54 implied goal total and are a viable fantasy option in all formats tonight. Tampa is rolling right now with three goals or more in four straight games, a streak that should continue tonight versus the Anaheim Ducks -- an exceedingly average team in all aspects. The Ducks are allowing 2.45 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 15th in the league. Certainly not a defense you need to worry about, and with the offensive upside the Lightning bring, you can look to stack them.
Point is on the top forward line and the top power-play alongside Nikita Kucherov, making this one of the best two-man stacks you can find tonight. Point comes in with 31 shots on goals and 11 NHL points over his last 10 games; that's a high level of consistency he should be able to extend tonight.
Kirill Kaprizov ($9,400): If the Minnesota Wild and the Chicago Blackhawks are going to be set for a high-scoring game, you should look to turn this into a game stack. Both teams are in the bottom half of the league for the most goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting things in a spot to see plenty of offense. If that is going to be the case, you want to pay up for Kirill 'The Thrill' Kaprizov from the Wild.
The reigning Calder Trophy winner has continued to produce NHL points this season with a total of 44 through 34 games. As of late, he has been specifically hot (15 NHL points in his last 10 games) and added 39 shots on goal. He's on the top forward line and the top power-play for the Wild, making him a high-upside option tonight.
Value Skaters
Brayden Schenn ($4,500): I love the St. Louis Blues tonight. I love them in all formats -- including their three-way moneyline sitting at -110. They are up against the Seattle Kraken, who are on the second night of a back-to-back and should have their third-string goalie, Joey Daccord, in net tonight. The Kraken are allowing 3.11 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. The Blues are in the top 10 of the league for the most goals scored (2.78) in the same situations.
This is a very lop-sided matchup, and it's all about the Blues tonight. Schenn brings a bit of value and is skating on the top forward line and the first power-play unit, which is a rather larger offensive role for a player under $5,000. A total of 10 NHL points and 15 shots on goal in his last 10 games is great for his salary tonight.
Kasperi Kapanen ($5,000): The Pittsburgh Penguins have a 3.79 implied goal total and should be able to exceed that tonight versus the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets are in the bottom three of the league in goals allowed, Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), and High-Danger-Scoring-Chances Allowed, all per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
To say they are a bad defensive team would be putting it lightly, so it's all about the Pens tonight. If you need value in their lineup, Kapanen could be the answer. A role on the second forward line and the second power-play continues to put him in a good spot to score.