NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 3/9/22
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 ($8,000): With only a two-game slate tonight, stick with the safer option and look to Demko in net. The Vancouver Canucks are the largest (-225) favorites on the slate and are set to take on the Montreal Canadiens, who have a 2.71 implied goal total, which is the lowest on the slate. Demko has been strong as of late, allowing two goals or fewer in 6 of his last 10 games. This shouldn't come as a surprise because the Canucks have been strong on defense all season, allowing 2.09 goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the best in the league.
The Canadiens have looked a bit better in recent games but still hold one of the weaker offenses in the league. They are scoring 2.07 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-lowest in the league, putting Demko in a good spot to continue his strong trends.
High-Priced Skaters
J.T. Miller ($8,000): If you want to talk about a player who is on fire right now, that would be J.T. Miller, who has a nine-game point streak in the works with 17 total NHL points in that time. A total of 20 shots on goal in those nine games have shown Miller is an offensive threat every night, and he should be able to show that off again tonight. The Canadiens are in the bottom 10 of the league in goals allowed (2.91) and Corsi Against (57.88), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
They are one of the weakest defensive teams in the league, and we've been attacking them all season, so there's no reason to stop now, especially when Miller is producing every night. The matchup gives him a solid floor, and his role on the first forward line and first power-play give him a ceiling to reach for.
Connor McDavid ($10,100): It's a two-game slate, so it'd be silly not to mention the best player in the NHL. McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers have a solid 3.33 implied goal total and are taking on the Washington Capitals, where the over/under is set at 6.5. It won't be a surprise to see a ton of scoring in this game, and that means you should look to get some exposure to McDavid. It may come as a surprise, but McDavid actually has no points in either of his last two games and no points in three of his last five.
Simply put, McDavid is too good of a player to be held scoreless this often, especially against a struggling Capitals defense. Over the last two weeks, the Capitals are allowing 3.16 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is a clear step down from their season rate of 2.21. While this is a small two-week sample size, it's clear they are struggling right now, and we want to attack that with McDavid, who brings multi-point potential every night.
Value Skaters
Mike Hoffman ($4,900): Hoffman has stepped up his offense in recent games, posting 8 NHL points and 21 shots on goal over his last 10 outings. He's on the first second forward line and the second power-play for the Canadiens, which makes him an obvious value target on a small two-game slate. While the Canadiens' offense isn't amazing overall, Hoffman has solid point-per-dollar value and a bit of offensive upside, which is vital for roster construction tonight.
Conor Sheary ($4,500): The Capitals offense is led by the one and only Alex Ovechkin, but they're also getting some solid depth scoring via Conor Sheary. He comes in with 8 NHL points and 23 shots on goal over his last 10 games, putting him as one of the hotter players on tonight's slate. The Capitals carry a 3.17 implied goal total tonight versus the Oilers, who are allowing 2.61 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 14th worst in the league.
