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
Sergei Bobrovsky ($6,800): The Florida Panthers are sizable -250 road favorites, yet we see Bobrovsky under $7,000 tonight. This is rather interesting since the Panthers are the heaviest moneyline favorite tonight, and Bobrovsky is the third-lowest-salaried goalie on the slate. I get the fact that he has been inconsistent in recent starts, but the massive win equity is worth going after.
The matchup is a great one since the Montreal Canadiens are only scoring 2.11 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks, which is the eighth-lowest in the league. The Habs are also allowing the third-worst (67.14) Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) over the last two weeks, which should put the Panthers' offense in a spot to score and power Bobrovsky to a win.
High-Salaried Skaters
Jack Eichel ($9,000): With a 3.59 implied goal total, the Vegas Golden Knights should be a popular option in all formats with their matchup against the Detroit Red Wings. Vegas has been a bit up and down in recent games, but this is the perfect spot for them to get back on track. The Red Wings have one of the worst defenses in the league.
Over the last two weeks, the Red Wings are allowing 3.18 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-worst in the league. This should put Eichel in a spot for a big game -- something he needs to do on a more consistent basis for Vegas. In his last five games, he has 4 NHL points and 18 shots on goal, but 10 of those shots came in just one game.
A bit more consistency will make him a safer fantasy option overall, but we can't deny his clear upside tonight against this defense -- especially with his time on the first forward line and the first power-play unit.
Alex Ovechkin ($9,400): Ovi and the Washington Capitals are another team that needs to get on the winning track, and they have a favorable matchup to do so against the Arizona Coyotes. We see the Capitals coming in with a 3.49 implied goal total, and the Coyotes have allowed the 11th-most (2.84) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks.
To no one's surprise, Ovi comes in with 45 shots on goal and 11 NHL points over his last 10 games, providing massive offensive upside on any given slate. As usual, Ovi is on the top forward line and the top power-play unit and is a player that brings hat-trick potential to your lineups.
Value Skaters
Anton Lundell ($5,000): Lundell is now on the first forward line and the second power-play unit for the Panthers, who have a slate-high 3.90 implied goal total against the Canadiens tonight.
In his last five games, Lundell has an impressive 19 shots on goal and 3 NHL points. Considering the Habs are in the bottom 10 of the league this season for the most goals allowed (2.84) and Corsi Against (59.09) (both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations), the Panthers should be able to push the pace on offense and find the back of the net.
Gustav Nyquist ($4,800): The Anaheim Ducks have found a way to be even worse on defense in recent weeks, and that puts any opposing team in a great spot. On the season, the Ducks allow 3.51 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. In the last two weeks, that has fallen to 4.82 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
This gives the Columbus Blue Jackets a 3.57 implied goal total tonight and offers several value options to consider. Nyquist is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, which has allowed him to rack up 4 NHL points, 23 shots on goal, and 8 blocked shots in his last 10 games.