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
Juuse Saros ($8,600): The Nashville Predators are sizable -260 home favorites against the lowly Arizona Coyotes, putting Saros in a clear spot for the win. Saros is one of the best goalies in the league and comes in with 23.9 goals saved above expected (GSAx), which is tied for the third-best in the league. He's often the reason the Predators are winning games -- something he should be doing yet again tonight.
The Coyotes have one of the worst offenses in the league, scoring 2.19 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-lowest in the NHL. Saros should be able to keep them out of the net tonight as he's done recently, allowing three goals or fewer in three of his last five starts.
High-Salaried Skaters
Tage Thompson ($9,800): When it comes to offensive upside, Thompson is among the best in the league, and he should be able to get back on track tonight versus the Los Angeles Kings. Thompson has only a single NHL point over his last three games, but that slower rate of scoring should change tonight with the Buffalo Sabres' 2.99 implied goal total.
Over the last three weeks, the Kings are allowing 3.24 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league. On top of that, they also have a 61.73 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), which is the 12th-worst in the league.
Thompson is on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, putting him in a spot to get back on track with his scoring after a slow few games.
Matthew Tkachuk ($10,000): Tkachuk is scoring at a rate that is essentially unmatched on tonight's five-game slate. Over his last 10 games, Tkatchuk has 17 NHL points, 49 shots on goal, and 8 blocked shots. That level of production shows not only his consistency but also a high fantasy ceiling.
This is a sneaky great matchup for Tkachuk and the Florida Panthers, who are rocking a 3.22 implied goal total against the Minnesota Wild. For the entire season, the Wild are allowing 2.29 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 12th best in the league. However, their defense has dropped in the last three weeks and is now allowing 2.79 goals in those situations, which is the 10th-worst in the league.
With Tkachuk's fantasy ability, it's not an exaggeration to say he is the top option on the slate since we have no Connor McDavid.
Value Skaters
Cody Glass ($4,000): Glass is now on the top forward line and the second power-play unit for the Nashville Predators, which is a massive role for a player at only $4K.
The Preds have a 3.60 implied goal total tonight against the Coyotes, who, as noted above, are one of the worst defensive teams in the league. Over his last 10 games, Glass has a surprising 8 NHL points and 19 shots on goal -- something he should be able to add to with this favorable matchup.
Tyler Bertuzzi ($4,300): The Detroit Red Wings have a great matchup tonight against the Vancouver Canucks, who are allowing the second-most (3.55) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last three weeks. Bertuzzi is somewhat missalaried tonight since he is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Red Wings.
He's dealt with a few injuries this season, so his production isn't noteworthy, but the role and the matchup make him a clear value option in his role tonight.