NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 5/26/22

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 and 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

Mike Smith ($7,500): The Edmonton Oilers are up 3-1 over the Calgary Flames and have a chance to close out the series and advance to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2005. The Oilers are slight +128 road underdogs but have clearly looked like the better team in this series.

After a disaster in Game 1, Smith has picked up three straight wins, adding in 29 saves or more in each game. While Smith might not be the textbook definition of an elite goalie, he's racking up the saves, and the Oilers' offense is helping them pick up wins.

High-Salaried Skaters

Johnny Gaudreau ($8,300): It's do or die time for the Flames, who have their backs against the wall being down 3-1 to the Oilers. Gaudreau led the Flames with 115 NHL points this season and has continued that in the playoffs with 13 NHL points in 11 games. There's no doubt he's been good in the playoffs, but he needs to be even better.

Zero points in each of the last two games have been noteworthy with the Flames only scoring four goals over that span. That is a big departure from the nine goals they scored in the first two games of this series. His time on the first forward line and the first power-play should provide him with all of the opportunities he needs to fill up the stat sheet.

Leon Draisaitl ($10,100): Draisaitl and McDavid. McDavid and Draisaitl. These are two players having remarkable runs in the postseason, and that shouldn't be slowing down tonight. Draisaitl comes in with at least three NHL points in each of his last four games, a level of production that would make anyone jealous. With a small two-game slate, going with stars and scrubs is a viable roster construction method, where Draisaitl and McDavid would be the top two options.

Draisaitl has a total of 13 NHL points and 12 shots on goal in just these four games against the Flames. With the series winnable tonight, expect plenty of offense pressure from the Oilers' top two players.

Value Skaters

Nino Niederreiter ($4,400): Niederreiter and the Carolina Hurricanes need to find their offense early against the New York Rangers tonight. The Canes scored a total of two goals in the two road games, and that has caused them to lose their 2-0 series lead. Niederreiter was bumped up to the first power-play unit in parts of those two losses, which is a strong role for a player under $5,000. The Canes have been substantially better on offense while at home in the playoffs, and an increased role could bring Niederreiter plenty of upside.