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
Ville Husso/Jordan Binnington ($7,800): The St. Louis Blues are massive -255 home favorites against the New Jersey Devils, putting whichever goalie starts in a spot to pick up the win. The Devils are allowing 3.17 goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. The Blues hold the ninth-best offense, scoring 2.69 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
This is a classic case of leaning on the Blues' offense to score and get them in a spot to win. Husso nor Binnginton are amazing goalies to target. However, Husso has been solid this season, allowing three goals or fewer in each of his last 10 starts. The hope is that he starts and is viable in all formats tonight.
High-Priced Skaters
Sidney Crosby ($8,800): Crosby has 499 career goals, and he is going to find the back of the net tonight. I'm calling my shot right now -- Crosby gets career goal 500 tonight versus the Ottawa Senators. Even if this wasn't going to be his 500th goal, scoring against the Senators wouldn't be a surprise. They are allowing 2.69 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the ninth-worst in the league. We also see them with a league-worst 61.29 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), putting opposing offenses in a great matchup.
Crosby has 16 NHL points and 36 shots on goals over the last 10 games, making him one of the most consistent options on tonight's seven-game slate.
Evgeny Kuznetsov ($8,200): With Alex Ovechkin out of the lineup for the Washington Capitals, Kuznetsov is in a spot to grab a few more shots versus the Montreal Canadiens. Anytime Ovi is out of the lineup, there is an offensive void to be filled, and with Kuznetsov on the first forward line, he can claim some of those shots.
The Canadiens are in the bottom 10 of the league in Corsi Against, goals allowed, and high danger scoring chances allowed -- all per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. They are one of the worst teams in the entire league, and with the Capitals holding a 3.54 implied goal total, they should be able to reach that without Ovi.
Value Skaters
Robert Thomas ($4,900): The Blues have a slate-high 3.88 implied goal total against the Devils, and you should be looking to get exposure to their offense any way you can. There are legitimately nine different forwards from the Blues worth targeting tonight, but in the quest for value, Rob Thomas is one that stands out. He is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, and he's posted a solid 7 NHL points and 12 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
Gustav Nyquist ($5,200): The Buffalo Sabres are a bad team, and the Columbus Blue Jackets are a bad team. With both teams in the bottom 10 of the league for the most goals allowed, we could be in for a bit of a sloppy back-and-forth game. This could lead to plenty of scoring; we saw this matchup end 7-4 the last time they played each other. This should point you in the direction of a player like Nyquist, who is low-salaried and on the first forward line and the second power-play unit. A surprising 9 NHL points, 14 shots on goal, and 9 blocked shots over his last 10 games is quality production from the veteran recently.