NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 2/11/22
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
John Gibson ($7,700): Friday's four-game slate doesn't provide a ton of stellar goaltending options, but Gibson has a great deal of upside, and he's been working hard this season. Anaheim is allowing the most expected goals (151.37) in the NHL, but they're only 16th in overall actual goals allowed (133). That's due to Gibson facing heavy shot volume and performing better than expected.
The Kraken were expected to struggle on offense and largely have. They have the eighth-fewest expected goals (118.78) this season. They're also a bottom-10 team in Corsi For. It could be a rare quiet night at the office for the American; his Ducks are positioned as -164 home favorites in a game with a projected goal total of just 5.5.
High-Priced Skaters
Connor McDavid ($10,000): At 107.45 total expected goals allowed, the New York Islanders have arguably the best defense in hockey. On a small slate, I'm still trusting McJesus. He's still on Edmonton's top even-strength and power-play line, and he's seen at least 25 minutes of ice time in the last three games for the Oils that stayed close.
Edmonton is just a -152 favorite on Friday, so hopefully, his ice time will return to those heavy levels in an affair that needs his services late. We know he can score points when that's the case.
Victor Hedman ($7,400): The answer to which Tampa Bay Lightning players to roster on Friday is "yes." Their matchup with Arizona is by far the cushiest of the slate. Even if it means forgoing McDavid, I want to ensure to jam in Hedman at defense with a role completely unmatched by his blue-line alternatives.
Hedman skates on Tampa's top defense pairing and their top power-play unit, and he's posted three NHL points in his last four games as a result. The Coyotes have allowed the seventh-most expected goals (142.93) in the NHL, and they're the only bottom-10 squad in that category on the slate.
The Bolts will be popular as -300 moneyline favorites, but a stack including Hedman, Brayden Point, and Nikita Kucherov will be my strategy in cash or single-entry tournaments.
Value Skaters
Ryan Getzlaf ($5,200): The way the Ducks formulate their lines is irritating for correlation, but the reliable veteran seems to always be at the head of Anaheim's top line and top power-play unit. Entering the year, I was concerned the 36-year-old would see reduced ice time, but he's played at least 19 minutes in his last four complete games. Getzlaf posted three points in that span.
While they are midpack in expected goals allowed, Seattle's poor goaltending has allowed the sixth-most real goals scored (163). With arguably the best role amongst forwards on his squad in the second-best matchup of the day (behind Tampa), Getzlaf is a great plug.
Anders Lee ($5,000): Speaking of poor goaltending, that's Edmonton's bread and butter, as well. The Oilers have allowed the seventh-fewest expected goals (122.46), but they've let the 10th-most real goals (146) leak into the net.
Both Lee and Mathew Barzal are available at low salaries with tremendous roles to exploit the shoddy netminding. They share the first even-strength line and first power-play unit together. Lee is due for some regression on this northern swing; he's posted just one shot on goal in three straight games despite averaging 2.2 this season.
I wouldn't be shocked to see the top-line tandem link up for a goal in Alberta this evening.
