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
Linus Ullmark/Jeremy Swayman ($9,100): The best team in the NHL, the Boston Bruins, are massive -315 home favorites tonight and set to take on the Ottawa Senators, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. This is as straightforward of a matchup as you can possibly imagine, and whichever goalie is in net for the Bruins is a near-lock for the win tonight.
Over the last month, the Bruins are allowing 1.86 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-best in the league. That's right in line with their rate of 1.75 for the entire season, showing they aren't slowing down despite having the number one seed locked up. When it comes to the Senators' offense, they have been struggling lately, scoring only 2.33 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the eighth-worst in the league over the last month.
While this tandem comes with a high salary, there are not many goalies that have this level of defense in front of them, giving them a high level of consistency every night.
High Salaried Skaters
Kyle Connor ($7,900): There's no other way to put it, the Winnipeg Jets are in the midst of an offensive slump right now. Over the last month, they are scoring 2.18 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-lowest in the league. If we glance at their expected goals scored (xGF) during that same time, they should be up at 2.67.
The good news for them is they are going up against the Arizona Coyotes, who are allowing 2.73 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season (10th-worst in the league). That's why we see the Jets carrying a 3.91 implied goal total tonight -- a mark that should make them popular.
When it comes to Connor, he's normally a strong goal-scorer, but with their offense struggling overall, so has he. He has no goals over his last 10 games but has managed 6 assists and a very solid 33 shots on goal. His role on the second forward line and the first power-play unit remains unchanged, and this is the perfect matchup for him to finally find the back of the net.
Brayden Point ($8,700): The Tampa Bay Lightning also have a 3.91 implied goal total tonight visiting the Montreal Canadiens, putting them in a spot for plenty of goals. Speaking of goals, the Canadiens aren't good at stopping other teams from scoring and have allowed the fifth-most (3.44) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last month.
When a team plays the Canadiens, you stack against them. It's as simple as that. For the Lightning, Point is one of their primary scorers but has now gone five games without a goal. Also in this span, he has just three shots on goal, which is flat-out shocking.
Point is averaging 2.8 shots on goal per game this season, so to see him with such a low volume is rather odd. Call it natural variance. Call it fluke games. Call it the grind of the season. Whatever it might be, Point is far better than what he's been showing lately, and this is a soft matchup to get back on track.
Brad Marchand ($7,100): With the Bruins being -315 favorites, they have a slate-high 4.03 implied goal total against the Senators. Over the last month, the Senators are allowing 3.38 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-worst mark in the league.
Obviously, that's very bad, and with the Bruins on the other side, we are looking at some serious blowout potential tonight. The Bruins are firing on all cylinders right now, scoring the second-most (3.61) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last month. This is an elite matchup for the Bruins' offense, and they should be a primary option in all formats tonight.
Marchand is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 9 NHL points and 20 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
Value Skaters
Tom Wilson ($4,800): The Washington Capitals are in an interesting matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight; this game could feature plenty of scoring. Over the last month, both teams are in the top four of the league for the most goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. They're playing zero defense, and that makes things a ton of fun from a fantasy perspective.
Wilson is on the first forward line and the second power-play unit, coming in with 6 NHL points, 21 shots on goal, and 10 blocked shots in his last 10 games.
Wyatt Johnston ($4,900): Johnson is on fire right now with goals in four straight games, giving him a total of 9 NHL points and 24 shots on goal over his last 10 games. The Dallas Stars' rookie is certainly making a name for himself while playing a strong role on the second forward line and the second power-play unit.
That scoring could continue tonight against the Seattle Kraken, who has fallen apart on defense over the last month. Seattle has allowed 3.30 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations during that time, which is the eighth-most in the league.