NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 11/18/21
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
Jack Campbell ($8,700): The Toronto Maple Leafs are solid -184 home favorites tonight and in a spot to come away with the win against the New York Rangers. To start the season, the Rangers are only scoring 2.03 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-lowest in the league. They also hold the fourth-lowest (49.86) Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Campbell comes in with six wins in his last seven starts. He's allowed two goals or fewer in those six wins. The Rangers certainly don't have a very threatening offense, and given Campbell's strong recent form, he is in a spot to come away with the win.
High-Priced Skaters
William Nylander ($7,800): Nylander is shooting the puck on goal more than ever, and that gives him a solid floor every night. Nylander enters averaging 3.7 shots on goal per game this season, which is a noticeable increase from last year when he averaged 2.6 shots on goal per game, and in 2019, when he averaged 2.8 shots on goal per game. Despite the increase in his shot volume, Nylander only has two goals in his last six games while seeing time on the second forward line and the first power-play unit.
Needless to say, Nylander should be scoring more goals, and he's now up against the Rangers that should be giving up more goals than they currently are. Right now, the Rangers are only allowing 2.18 Goals Against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. However, their Expected Goals Against (xGA) is sitting at 2.66 per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Nylander is in a great spot and due for some positive shooting regression.
Leon Draisaitl ($9,900): All Draisaitl does is score multiple points every game. Through 15 games this season, Draisaitl has 33 NHL points -- good for the most in the league. Add in over three shots on goal per game, and we have one of the best offensive players in the entire league. He's a cash game option, a tournament option, and an "any time you can afford his salary" option.
The Edmonton Oilers are at home and hold a solid 3.25 implied goal total against the Winnipeg Jets; the over/under is set at 6.5 goals. This is set up for another high-scoring game and should provide a spot for a potential game stack, which is ideal for tournaments.
Value Skaters
Lucas Raymond ($5,300): The Detroit Red Wings are +142 road underdogs versus the Vegas Golden Knights but have a sneaky great matchup. Vegas is in the bottom five of the league in both Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) and Goals allowed -- both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. With Raymond on the top forward line and the top power-play unit, he will have ample opportunities to rack up shots on goal, and hopefully, a goal or assist.
Andrew Mangiapane ($5,100): Mangiapane has been a nice surprise for the Calgary Flames. He has started the season with 12 NHL points and 36 shots on goal through 16 games. A solid role on the second forward line and the second power-play puts him in a good spot against the Buffalo Sabres. The Flames have a 3.11 implied goal total and are -192 road favorites, which should make them a chalky option tonight.
