NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 4/14/21
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 or 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 to take a look at today's slate and some players to consider for your lineups.
Goalie to Target
Jake Allen ($7,300): Allen is confirmed as the starter for the Montreal Canadiens tonight and there are many factors to like about it. First off, Allen is very affordable at only $7,300 considering he is a -168 home favorite. Next, the Canadiens are allowing a 49.08 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-best in the league. They are limiting shot attempts at an unbelievable rate, and that continues to put him in a good spot to come away with a clean win. Finally, the matchup versus the Calgary Flames is very modest, as they are right at the league average, scoring only 2.29 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
High-Priced Skaters
Mark Scheifele ($7,200): The Winnipeg Jets have a dream matchup against the Ottawa Senators tonight, who are allowing a league-worst 3.24 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The Senators are also allowing a 59.04 Corsi Against, which is the third-worst in the league, setting up any opponent for a big fantasy game.
Scheifele has been good but not great over his last 10 games. He does have 10 total NHL points in the last 10 games but has no goals in his last six games and 24 shots on goals in this time. Ideally, we'd see a bit of a higher shot volume from a center on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, but this is the spot for him to get back on track versus a weak defense.
Mikko Rantanen ($8,600): If you want to make things simple on this slate, you just pay up for the top line from the Colorado Avalanche and you move on. You could use that theory really anytime the Avalanche are on the slate because their top line is legitimately one of the best fantasy units in the entire league. They are fully correlated on the first power-play unit and offer tremendous upside, regardless of the matchup.
Rantanen is cruising right along recently with 11 NHL points and 36 shots on goal in his last 10 games. While he has the second-highest salary among skaters on the slate, he is worth every bit of your salary cap due to his consistency and upside.
Value Skaters
Chandler Stephenson ($3,700): It's a small five-game slate, and you are looking at what should be one of the chalkiest players, Chandler Stephenson. That is because he is skating on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Vegas Golden Knights, who are -220 road favorites tonight with a strong 3.21 implied goal total. We rarely see a player this inexpensive playing this type of role AND for this caliber of a team. The salary relief he brings to your lineups will allow you to pay up for Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty.
