NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 2/28/23
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
Craig Anderson ($8,700): The Buffalo Sabres are solid -210 home favorites against the Columbus Blue Jackets, putting Anderson in a spot for the win. Anderson has been in top form over his last two games, allowing just a single goal in each of those outings.
Since the start of February, the Blue Jackets are scoring 2.31 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the ninth-fewest in the league. When it comes to the Sabres' offense, they are scoring 3.76 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which tops the NHL since the start of this month. Buffalo's offense should help power Anderson to a win against the Blue Jackets.
High-Salaried Skaters
Nikita Kucherov ($9,600): Kucherov and the Tampa Bay Lightning are taking on the Florida Panthers, where the over/under is set at 7.0. This gives the Lightning a slate-high 3.89 implied total, giving us a prime matchup for fantasy production. Kucherov has been hot lately with 12 NHL points and 27 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
Both teams are in the top six of the league for the most Goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, so this is a potentially explosive scoring environment. Kucherov is on the first forward line and the first power-play for Tampa, which puts him in a spot for a multi-point performance.
Tage Thompson ($10,300): Thompson and the Sabres sport a 3.76 implied total, and they have all the potential to push past that versus the Blue Jackets. Since the start of February, the Blue Jackets have a 68.41 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. Columbus allows opponents to fire the puck at a high rate, and it gives opposing players a high floor of points on a game-by-game basis.
Thompson is already elite at that, totaling 35 shots on goal over his last 10 games and racking up 11 NHL points in that time. This is a great matchup for the Sabres to flex their explosive offense, and Thompson can lead the way.
Value Skaters
Jordan Eberle ($5,600): The Seattle Kraken have a 3.25 implied total against the St. Louis Blues, which is a matchup we should be looking to attack. Over the last four weeks, the Blues are allowing 3.13 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-most. This puts the Kraken in a great spot to break out of their three-game losing streak.
Eberle is on the first forward line and the second power-play unit. He's recorded 9 NHL points and 23 shots on goal over his last 10 games and can keep it going in this spot.
Barrett Hayton ($4,600): The Arizona Coyotes have a 3.64 implied total against the Chicago Blackhawks, who continue to struggle on defense. Since the start of February, the Blackhawks are in the bottom 10 of the league in both Corsi Against and Goals allowed.
Hayton is on the first forward line and first power-play -- all while being under $5,000. This is a prime offensive role to have for such a low salary, which should make him a popular option tonight. Over his last 10 games, he has tallied 6 NHL points, 31 shots on goal, and 7 blocked shots.
