NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 3/29/23
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
Alexandar Georgiev ($8,400): We have a small three-game slate tonight, and the Colorado Avalanche check in as the heaviest home favorite (-160), which should make Georgiev a clear option. This could be considered the most important game of the season for the Avalanche, as they are set to take on the Minnesota Wild, who are just one point ahead of them in the Central Division standings.
This could be a playoff-type game tonight, which means lower scoring and fewer chances all around. That will work well for the Avalanche, who have been one of the very best defensive teams in recent games. Over the last two weeks, they are allowing 1.70 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is third-best in the league. With a great defense in front of him, Georgiev will always be in a spot to pick up the win.
High Salaried Skaters
William Nylander ($8,300): The Toronto Maple Leafs have a slate-high 3.49 implied total against the Florida Panthers in what could be the highest-scoring game on the slate. The Panthers are struggling right now on defense, and over the last two weeks, they are allowing a whopping 3.56 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-worst in the league.
The Panthers also happen to be scoring the third-most (3.92) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over that time, which constantly puts them in chaotic, high-scoring games. This sets up well for a very strong fantasy environment, which is exactly what we need on a smaller three-game slate.
Nylander is in a good spot for some offense and comes in with 7 NHL points, 27 shots on goal, and 7 blocked shots in his last 10 games. He continues to skate on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, both of which are great spots to stack tonight.
Nathan MacKinnon ($10,300): While the Avalanche-Wild clash may not be a high-scoring game, MacKinnon is undeniably the best player on tonight's slate. There is no other player who has posted more NHL points over the last 10 games than MacKinnon (18). On top of those 18 NHL points, he has 43 shots on goal and 5 blocked shots, giving him a high floor and a high fantasy ceiling on a nightly basis.
He should be among the most popular players on the slate, and while he has a high floor and good upside, there's an argument to fade him due to a less-than-ideal matchup. Pivoting to Auston Matthews ($10,100) is absolutely a viable option considering the potential scoring in that game.
Value Skaters
Kyle Palmieri ($5,500): The New York Islanders have a 2.81 implied total versus the Washington Capitals, but that might be a bit too low. Over the last two weeks, the Capitals are allowing 4.25 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-most in the league. The Islanders aren't known as an elite offensive team, but this is clearly a quality matchup for them.
Palmieri is on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, amassing 11 NHL points and 24 shots on goal over the last 10 games. Given his salary, Palmieri looks like a very strong point-per-dollar option in this matchup.
Michael Bunting ($5,000): Since Leafs-Panthers is the best game environment on the slate, we should look to find some value options from this matchup. Again, the Leafs have a slate-high 3.49 implied total, and the Panthers have been one of the worst defensive teams over the last two weeks. With 4 NHL points and 21 shots on goal, Bunting certainly isn't lighting the score sheet on fire, but he maintains a decent offensive role on the third forward line and the second power-play unit.
