NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 2/23/23
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
Charlie Lindgren ($7,900): The Washington Capitals are riding a five-game losing streak but can turn that around against one of the worst teams in the league, the Anaheim Ducks. The Capitals are the largest (-345) home favorite on tonight's slate, and it puts Lindgren in a spot for the win.
Lindgren has been solid in net for the Capitals and has allowed three goals or fewer in each of his last 10 games. That streak should continue tonight against the Ducks, who are only scoring 2.03 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. Between his salary and his win equity, Lindgren should be a popular option tonight.
High-Salaried Skaters
Sidney Crosby ($8,500): The Pittsburgh Penguins have a 3.51 implied goal total against the Edmonton Oilers in a game that features a high 7.0 over/under. This game should feature plenty of scoring, which means there are plenty of fantasy points to go around, and that offers some serious upside tonight.
Over the last three weeks, the Oilers are allowing 2.82 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 10th worst in the league. We also see the Penguins allowing the 12th-most (2.80) over this same time. This should be a no-defense, all-offense type of night.
Crosby has 14 NHL points, 37 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots in his last 10 games. With time on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, Crosby shouldn't have any issues racking up fantasy points tonight.
Elias Pettersson ($9,700): Pettersson is on fire right now with 16 NHL points, 27 shots on goal, and 13 blocked shots in his last 10 games. The Vancouver Canucks have a 3.42 implied goal total against the St. Louis Blues, which is another game that has a high 7.0 over/under.
Over the last three weeks, both teams are in the bottom four of the league for the most goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations while also both being in the top 11 of the league for the most Goals Scored. This is another explosive scoring environment that should lead to Pettersson posting a big game.
Value Skaters
Ross Colton ($4,100): The Tampa Bay Lightning have a slate-high 4.06 implied goal total against the Buffalo Sabres, which should set them up for another big night as we saw against the Ducks on Tuesday. Colton is on the third forward line and the second power-play unit for the Lightning, which has allowed him to rack up 4 NHL points, 22 shots on goal, and 3 blocked shots in his last 10 games.
The Sabres are allowing 4.17 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last three weeks, which is the second-worst in the league.
Evgeny Kuznetsov ($5,500): Kuznetsov is very affordable considering he is on the top forward line and the first power-play unit for the Capitals. They have a sizable 3.73 implied goal total against the Ducks, a matchup they should be able to control and break their five-game losing streak. Kuzy comes in with 5 NHL points and 17 shots on goal over his last 10 games. While those aren't massive numbers, the matchup and his salary are too good to pass up tonight.
