NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 5/24/21
NHL DFS is similar to MLB in terms of how you build lineups, view stacking, and 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
Jack Campbell ($7,800): The Toronto Maple Leafs are -164 road favorites tonight and this is a spot to attack. That moneyline puts the Maple Leafs as the second-largest favorite on the slate, yet Campbell is the fourth-most expensive goalie in action tonight. This is always a spot I like to attack since the betting market is sharper than DFS salaries, which are static on the slate. Campbell is confirmed as the starter tonight and is looking to pick up his second straight win after two very solid performances in the first two games. He lost Game 1 of this series, won Game 2, and has a total of 50 saves on 53 shots.
High-Priced Skaters
Steven Stamkos ($7,900): The Tampa Bay Lightning have a 2.80 implied goal total tonight and that isn't high enough. The Lightning are in a spot to close out the series against the Florida Panthers, who will have rookie Spencer Knight in net. Not only is this Knight's first career NHL playoff game but this is only his fifth NHL game ever. Sooo...yeah. I'm siding with the Lightning and their powerful offense over a rookie goalie. This is where we turn to Stamkos, who has six NHL points and nine shots on goal through the first four games of this series. He is still on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, making him one of the most secure options on the slate.
Auston Matthews ($8,500): Matthews has posted two strong games to start his series against the Montreal Canadiens and that will continue tonight. In Game 1, Matthews didn't record an NHL point but finished with eight shots on goal. In Game 2, he ended with one goal, two assists, and four shots on goal. With a five-goal outburst in Game 2, the Toronto Maple Leafs' offense continues to show tremendous upside, which Matthews should be involved with. He continues to center the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which should make him very popular tonight.
Value Skater
Alex Tuch ($4,600): With Max Pacioretty listed as a game-time decision for the Vegas Golden Knights, we could be getting some value with Alex Tuch. Pacioretty has yet to play in the playoffs, and yet Vegas is still up 3-1 over the Minnesota Wild. Pure speculation has me thinking Pacioretty will be out again in the hopes Vegas can close out the series and allow him to rest. I mean, they haven't struggled without him, so why rush him back when they can still win? If this is the case, we should see Tuch on the first forward line and the second power-play unit, which has led him to produce 3 goals and 12 shots on goal so far this series.
