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 ($8,600): The Colorado Avalanche are huge -480 home favorites tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks, putting Georgiev in a spot for the win. The Avs remain one of the better defensive teams in the league and are allowing just 2.25 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, which is the seventh-best mark in the NHL.
We've seen that on full display for Georgieve lately; he has allowed three goals or fewer in seven of his last 10 games. That trend should continue tonight since the Blackhawks score 2.06 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league. This is the softest matchup Georgiev could find himself in, and it points to another winning performance.
High Salaried Skaters
Sidney Crosby ($8,500): The Pittsburgh Penguins are in desperate need of a win. They find themselves on a three-game losing streak at the worst possible time, grinding in the midst of a very tight Eastern Conference Wild Card race. Legitimately every single point matters to them. Luckily, they are up against the Ottawa Senators, who are allowing 3.60 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fourth-worst in the league over the past month.
We also see the Penguins in the bottom 10 of the league during that time, which should set things up for a very high-scoring game filled with fantasy production for all involved.
When it comes to Crosby, he is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, entering with 12 NHL points, 36 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots in his last 10 games. However, he hasn't found the back of the net in the last four games, but with this matchup, Crosby is in a spot to break that drought.
Nathan MacKinnon ($10,400): MacKinnon has been on fire in his recent stretch of games, and with the Avalanche carrying a slate-high 4.30 implied goal total, it's a great idea to get him in your lineups.
Over his last 10 games, MacKinnon has 17 NHL points, 47 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots. We're getting a near multi-point performance every single night, and that should only be extended against Chicago. This season, the Blackhawks are allowing a 62.07 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) and 3.00 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, both of which are in the bottom five of the league.
There should be nothing slowing MacKinnon down, and this matchup should enable him to continue to score at this torrid pace.
Value Skaters
Eetu Luostarinen ($5,200): The Florida Panthers have a 3.62 implied goal total tonight against the Detroit Red Wings, making this a very lopsided matchup. The Panthers have increased their goal-scoring rate from 2.99 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations for the entire season to 3.30 goals in that situation over the last month.
We are catching an offense at the top of their game against a defense that continues to struggle. This should lead to plenty of goals for the Panthers and brings us to some value with Luostarinen. He's on the top forward line and comes in with 9 NHL points, 22 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots in his last 10 games. He doesn't see power-play time, but his salary -- and the matchup -- are too good to pass up tonight.
Shane Pinto ($4,400): The Penguins and Senators have an over/under set at 6.5 goals, which is the perfect spot for fantasy production. As noted above, both teams are in the bottom 10 of the league for goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last month. This is looking like a game where it's going to be all offense and no defense -- something we love to see for fantasy scoring.
The Senators have mixed up their forward lines a bit, and we now see Pinto on the third forward line and the second power-play unit. He comes in with 4 NHL points, 22 shots on goal, and 9 blocked shots in his last 10 games, which is stable point-per-dollar production in what figures to be very strong scoring environment.