NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 3/22/22
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
Ilya Sorokin ($8,100): The New York Islanders are -210 home favorites tonight and have a favorable matchup against the Ottawa Senators. The Islanders have been a strong defensive team for a few years, and this season is no different, as they are allowing 2.23 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 12th best in the league. That lines up nicely against a Senators offense that comes in scoring a meager 2.21 goals in the same situations, which is the ninth-lowest in the league.
Sorokin has been rock solid in net for the Islanders in recent starts, allowing three goals or fewer in each of his last five outings. That is certainly on tap again tonight given the easy matchup and the strong defense in front of him.
High-Priced Skaters
Jake Guentzel ($8,600): It's time for Guentzel to get scoring again. The leading goal scorer for the Pittsburgh Penguins has only one goal in his last five games and comes in with 15 shots on goal in that time. It's good to see him continue to fire the puck despite the lack of results. Tonight, he has a very soft matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are one of, if not the worst defensive team in the league. They are allowing 3.28 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is dead last in the league, along with a 60.35 Corsi Against (total shot attempts allowed), which is the third-worst in the league.
This is why we see the Penguins coming in with a slate-high 4.06 implied goal total, which should make them one of the most popular teams on the slate. Look to stack Guentzel with Sidney Crosby ($8,500) and Bryan Rust ($8,700), as they have full correlation on the first power-play.
Tyler Toffoli ($6,200): The Calgary Flames are another strong offense in a great spot, coming in with a 3.71 implied goal total against the San Jose Sharks. Toffoli comes in with 8 NHL points, 31 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots in his last 10 games, all of which should continue tonight. In their most recent game, Toffoli was skating on the first forward line, a nice bump up from the third forward line. Whether or not that holds to be true tonight is yet to be seen, but his production warrants our attention. That's not to mention the fact he is still on the first power-play unit, too.
The Sharks come in with a league-worst 61.76 Corsi Against while allowing 2.70 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 11th worst in the league. The Flames have an elite offense, scoring the sixth-most (2.87) goals in the same situations, making this a very lopsided matchup and one to attack tonight.
Value Skaters
Jakub Vrana ($5,700): The Detroit Red Wings aren't a good offensive team, but they have a solid matchup versus the Philadelphia Flyers. Realistically, both teams are in a good spot because both defenses sit in the bottom half of the league for the most goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Vrana has only played in six games this season and comes in with 13 shots on goal and 3 goals scored. He's on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, putting him in a good spot to continue producing.
Andrew Copp ($4,900): The New York Rangers traded for Andrew Copp, and he is expected to be in the lineup tonight. Not only should he be in the lineup, but he is also expected to be on the second power-play unit, putting him in a spot to contribute immediately. He has a great matchup against the New Jersey Devils, who are allowing the second-most (3.25) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season.