NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 12/22/22
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 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 and take a look at today's slate and some players to consider for your lineups.
Goalie to Target
Linus Ullmark ($8,500): The Boston Bruins are the league's best team and come in as -245 moneyline favorites against the Winnipeg Jets. Being the best team in the league, it shouldn't be a surprise they are elite on defense this season, allowing just 1.76 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which tops the league.
Ullmark has been a rock in net for them this season and leads the league with 1.89 goals allowed per game and a .937 save percentage. The matchup against the Jets is a modest one since they are scoring 2.51 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 16th in the league. Ullmark should be in a spot to continue what he's been doing all season and come away with the win.
High-Salaried Skaters
Alex Ovechkin ($9,500): Ovi is still looking for one more goal to tie Gordie Howe at 801 career goals after hitting 800 goals last week. He has a great matchup to do it since the Ottawa Senators are allowing 2.63 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 11th-worst in the league.
Of course, Ovechkin is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which has allowed him to rack up 13 NHL points and 46 shots on goal over his last 10 games. With the Washington Capitals carrying a 3.33 implied goal total tonight, he will likely be involved if they hit that mark against a weak defensive opponent.
Jordan Eberle ($6,000): The Seattle Kraken are sporting a 3.39 implied total against the Vancouver Canucks and are cookin' on offense right now. The Kraken have jumped up to scoring 3.05 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-best in the league behind the New Jersey Devils (3.06).
They are getting production up and down their lineup with Eberle being fully in the mix. He comes in with 8 NHL points and 25 shots on goal over his last 10 games, which are both a team-high in that span. The Canucks present a favorable matchup since they are in the bottom 11 of the league in goals allowed (3.10) and Corsi Against (58.14), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Value Skaters
Dillon Dube ($5,300): The Calgary Flames might be turning the corner with their offense, scoring 12 goals over the last two games. They will look to continue tonight against the Los Angeles Kings. This matchup has a 6.0 over/under, but I'm expecting plenty of goals in this one since both teams are in the top half of the league in goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations while also being in the bottom half of the league in goals allowed in the same situation.
This back-and-forth game environment should allow plenty of fantasy points for all involved, and that means we can look for a bit of value. Dube is now on the first forward line and the second power-play unit, coming in with 10 NHL points and 20 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
Brett Pesce ($4,000): Pesce is the defender on the second power-play unit for the Carolina Hurricanes, who come in with a very modest 2.66 implied goal total against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Frankly, this game could have a bit of a playoff-type feel to it with both teams being near the top of the standings, but Pesce can find value at such an affordable salary.
While he has only 3 NHL points over his last 10 games, he has piled up 13 shots on goal and 22 blocked shots. The secondary stats give him a stable floor of production, giving him solid point-per-dollar value.
