NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 2/8/22
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
Thatcher Demko ($8,100): The Vancouver Canucks are strong -265 home favorites against the Arizona Coyotes, putting Demko in a good spot to come away with the win. The Coyotes are one of the weakest offensive teams in the league, only scoring 2.08 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-lowest in the league. Despite holding an average record overall this season, the Canucks have been very strong on defense, allowing 1.81 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the best in the league.
Demko sits behind a strong defense and that has helped him in recent games, allowing three goals or fewer in seven of his last 10 starts. Given the favorable matchup, Demko should be a popular option in all formats due to his high win expectation.
High-Priced Skaters
Andrei Svechnikov ($7,500): The Carolina Hurricanes have a very favorable matchup tonight and that gives them a 3.87 implied goal total, which is the second-highest on the slate. This is because they are up against the Ottawa Senators, a team that sits dead last in the league with 60.90 Corsi Against (total shot attempts allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The Canes are one of the best teams in the league when it comes to Corsi For (total shot attempts created), as their 63.66 is the third-best in the league.
This puts Svechnikov in a great matchup to reach for his fantasy ceiling, a level of production that is great for any format. He comes in with 12 NHL points and 32 shots on goal over the last 10 games, as he is seeing time on the second forward line and the first power-play unit. An elite shooter versus one of the worst defenses in the league is a near must-play tonight.
Max Pacioretty ($10,000): Pacioretty is bound to start scoring goals again, right? Pacioretty hasn't scored a goal since December 14th. Granted, he was out of the lineup for a while due to an injury, but an elite player can only be held without a goal for so long.
His matchup against the Edmonton Oilers has a 6.5 over/under and is a spot where we could see plenty of scoring. The Oilers are allowing 2.76 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-worst in the league. The Vegas Golden Knights are on the opposite side of the offensive spectrum, scoring 2.84 goals, which is the sixth-best in the league.
His role on the first forward line and the first power-play remains unchanged, he just needs a bit of puck luck to find the back of the net.
Value Skaters
Daniel Sprong ($3,800): The Washington Capitals have a slate-high 3.93 implied goal total, and you should be looking to them in all formats tonight. The matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets is one of the easiest on the slate since they are in the bottom five of the league in Corsi Against and goals against, both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. While the top-tier options for the Capitals are always great, Sprong is a value option to consider. He has only two goals in his last 10 games but a role on the second power-play unit provides him an upside to reach for at a very affordable salary.
Josh Anderson ($4,300): Despite having a weaker offense overall, the Montreal Canadiens have a 3.18 implied goal total tonight. That's because they are up against the New Jersey Devils, who are allowing second-most (3.22) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This is a clear plus matchup for the Habs, and Anderson provides a good bit of salary relief. He's under $5,000, is skating on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, and is coming in with 3 NHL points and 20 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
