NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 3/17/22
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 ($7,400): If the Vancouver Canucks are serious about making a push for the playoffs, they need to win this game against the Detroit Red Wings. The Canucks are -205 home favorites and have a high 3.71 implied goal total tonight. That's a good indication they are set to come away with the win against the weak Red Wings. While Demko has been solid in net for the Canucks in their push towards a playoff spot, we are targeting him tonight for two reasons.
First off, his salary is far too low for a goalie that is this heavy of a home favorite. Second, the Canucks' offense should be able to power them to a victory, thus helping him pick up the fantasy win points. This is more about attacking the Red Wings defense, who are allowing the third-most goals (3.03) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. All of this should lead to Demko and the Canucks coming away with the win tonight.
High-Priced Skaters
Jason Robertson ($8,600): The Dallas Stars have a solid 3.36 implied goal total tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, a matchup we should be looking to attack. The Habs continue to be one of the worst defensive teams in the league, sitting in the bottom 10 for the most goals allowed (2.93) and Corsi Against (57.45) (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
The Stars are by no means an elite offensive team -- scoring the fifth-fewest Goals (2.21) in the same situations -- but this is a clear plus matchup for them tonight. We turn to Robertson, who comes in with 9 Goals and 43 shots on goal over his last 10 games -- among the best in the league. He skates on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Stars.
Tage Thompson ($7,100): While the Buffalo Sabres might not be the best team in the league, they are facing the Edmonton Oilers tonight with Mike Smith in net. To put things lightly, Smith is not good, and posting -- legitimately -- the worst numbers in his entire 17-year career. He's given up 17 goals in his last five games, making this a great spot to attack.
Tage Thompson has 7 NHL points and 45 shots on goal over his last 10 games. He's on the first forward line, and on the first power-play unit for the Sabres. The Sabres come in as +205 road underdogs and a 2.62 implied goal total, and that should keep them a bit under-the-radar in what is, realistically, a great matchup against Smith.
Value Skaters
Adrian Kempe ($5,400): Kempe is due for a goal. Kempe has 25 goals on the season, which leads the Los Angeles Kings. He's on the first forward line and the first power-play unit but hasn't scored in any of his last 10 games. He's averaging 2.9 shots on goal per game, and continuing to fire the puck will always put him in a good spot to find the back of the net -- something he should finally be able to do against the San Jose Sharks tonight.
This season, the Sharks are dead last in the league in Corsi Against (62.35) and allow the eighth-most goals (2.75), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This is the spot for Kempe to break out of his slump against a weak defense.
Anthony Mantha ($4,600): Mantha and the Washington Capitals come in with a strong 3.71 implied goal total, which is the second-highest on the slate. They have an awesome matchup versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are on the second night of a back-to-back and enter sporting a league-worst 3.28 goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The Capitals have scored three goals or more in seven straight games and are hitting their stride at the perfect time to face this weak defense.
Mantha has 3 NHL points and 14 shots on goal in his last five games while seeing ice time on the second forward line and the second power-play unit. He's a value option with a solid offensive role in a very favorable matchup.
