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
Casey DeSmith ($8,300): The Pittsburgh Penguins find themselves as sizable -330 home favorites against cross-state rival Philadelphia. The "Battle of Pennsylvania" adds another chapter tonight, and the Pens are expected to come away with the win, so we can turn to DeSmith in net. The Penguins hold one of the league's best defenses, allowing only 2.07 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations -- fourth-lowest in the league.
DeSmith has allowed three goals or fewer in four of his last five outings, and that's a level of consistency that could continue tonight. The Flyers' offense is scoring a meager 2.13 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations (sixth-lowest in the league). A soft matchup should point towards DeSmith coming away with another win.
High-Priced Skaters
Johnny Gaudreau ($8,900): To say the Calgary Flames have a great matchup tonight versus the Columbus Blue Jackets would be a vast understatement. The moneyline sits at -295, which would give you a good indication. Their 3.98 implied goal total would also give you a good indication, but that's just the start. The Flames enter with a 63.74 Corsi For (total shot attempts created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-best in the league. This leads them to score 2.91 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-best.
The Blue Jackets have decided to not play any defense this season -- totally cool for us. They are allowing a league-worst 3.28 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the Blue Jackets are also the fifth-worst team in the league in terms of Corsi Against (59.68), and that further proves their commitment to no defense this season.
Gaudreau comes in with 15 NHL points and 36 shots on goal in his last 10 games, and he sees time on the first forward line and the first power-play unit. He is one of the most consistent options on tonight's slate and is solid in all formats.
Brayden Point ($8,300): The Tampa Bay Lightning have a 4.00 implied goal total tonight and should be one of the most popular options on the slate. This is as straightforward of a matchup as you can find tonight -- a top-10 goal-scoring offense versus one of the league's worst defenses. Point is an ideal option for cash games due to his high level of consistency. He's 9 NHL points, 37 shots on goal, and 3 blocked shots over his last 10 games.
Point is on both the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Lightning, so his multi-point potential is always high in a favorable matchup such as this one.
Value Skaters
Robert Thomas ($5,000): The St. Louis Blues have a number of viable fantasy options tonight since their matchup versus the Ottawa Senators is favorable. The Senators are in the bottom 11 of the league in both goals allowed (2.60) and Corsi Against (61.50), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Thomas has a modest 6 NHL points and 12 shots on goal over his last 10 games, but a role on the second forward line and the second power-play continues to put him in a good spot to produce.
Kasperi Kapanen ($4,000): The Penguins have a slate-high 4.13 implied goal total, and getting exposure to their offense is always a good call. The Flyers are allowing the eighth-most (2.69) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, giving the Penguins a clear path to upside tonight. Considering Kapanen is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, he is a great salary-saver in such a positive matchup.