NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 2/16/22
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
Jacob Markstrom ($8,100): The Calgary Flames are hot right now and looking to extend their seven-game winning to eight tonight against the Anaheim Ducks. As -220 home favorites, we should be looking to Markstrom in net as one of the safe options among goalies, and he's viable in all formats. Markstrom has allowed three goals or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts and has three shutouts in that span. He also leads the league with eight shutouts.
He'll be up against the Ducks, who are scoring 2.25 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations (12th lowest in the league). Considering the Flames are allowing the third-fewest goals (2.04) in the same situations, Markstrom is primed for another solid outing tonight.
High-Priced Skaters
Mikko Rantanen ($9,600): Rantanen is due for a goal. I hate using the phrase "he's due", but sometimes, there's really no other way to put it. Rantanen has 24 goals in 46 games this season and hasn't scored in his last three games. That's the second-longest goal drought he's been on this season. His longest dry spell was four games without lighting the lamp. It's going to end tonight versus the Vegas Golden Knights.
Rantanen is still firing the puck; he has 16 shots on goal over the last three games and 39 shots over his last 10. The volume of attempts is still there for him, but he's just getting a bit unlucky right now. With a 6.5-goal total versus Vegas, we should see the offenses going back and forth tonight, giving Rantanen plenty of chances to break the cold streak and put one in.
Andrei Svechnikov ($8,400): The Florida Panthers and the Carolina Hurricanes are two of the three best offenses in the league, and they are going head-to-head tonight. To say this game has some offensive upside would be an understatement. We've seen seven goals in each of the first two matchups between these teams this season. You want some exposure to this game -- it's really that simple.
Svechnikov is on the second forward line and the first power-play unit for the Canes, a role that gives him a high fantasy ceiling. His 14 NHL points and 40 shots on goal over the last 10 games show he is a primary scoring option and can be trusted in all formats.
Value Skaters
Mikael Backlund ($5,300): As noted above, the Flames are large home favorites (-220) and enter with a 3.18 implied goal total, putting them in a spot to be a chalky option. Backlund, surprisingly, has been firing the puck a ton lately with a whopping 47 shots on goal over his last 10 games. The nine NHL points he has in the same span isn't that much of a surprise since the Flames have one of the league's best offenses, but 47 shots on goal in 10 games puts him in an elite category. Yet, he remains just $5,300.
Mason Marchment ($5,500): Another option from the Panthers-Hurricanes matchup should be a clear sign you want to find a way to get these players into your lineups. The Panthers lead the league with 3.56 goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, so any exposure you have to their offense is a good option. Marchment is on the third forward line and the second power-play unit but has piled up a solid 13 NHL points and 24 shots on goal. The offensive potential is there for both teams tonight, and you should focus on stacking this game.
