NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 11/19/21
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
Philipp Grubauer ($7,700): Even as a +134 home underdog, Grubauer is someone to consider in net tonight. It's a small two-game slate, and taking the second-lowest salaried goalie can provide plenty of salary relief, which goes a long way in roster construction. The Seattle Kraken have been struggling to start the season -- there's no way around it -- but they are due for some positive regression.
The Kraken are allowing 3.39 goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league. However, if we look to their Expected Goals Against (xGA) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, that's sitting at 1.92, which would put them as the best in the league. That is a substantial jump in performance, and it could be a good time to buy in on their team and their goalie.
High-Priced Skaters
Kyle Connor ($9,000): Connor is, arguably, the best player on the slate, and you should want plenty of exposure to him. Connor comes in with 21 NHL points through 16 games and a staggering 77 shots on goal. That's good for 4.8 per game, which is one of the highest rates in the league. Connor is skating on the second forward line and the first power play for the Winnipeg Jets, who have a 3.11 implied total, which is the second-highest on the slate.
Cale Makar ($6,700): The Colorado Avalanche have a slate-high 3.28 implied total, and you can expect them to be the most popular team on the slate. They are scoring 2.47 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 11th-best. Makar has a solid 10 NHL points in 11 games this season and has also added 24 shots on goal and 8 blocked shots. Stacking Makar with the rest of Colorado's first power-play unit would be ideal but takes a ton of salary on a slate with limited value options. Still, it's a stack that carries some of the best upside you can find, with Makar playing a key role in that.
Value Skater
Alexander Wennberg ($4,200): Wennberg could be one of the top value options on the slate given his offensive role and his salary being under $5,000. Wennberg skates on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Kraken, who -- despite being +134 home underdogs -- have a solid 2.72 implied total. The Colorado defense is allowing the ninth-most (2.77) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This game could have a bit of back and forth, presenting the chance for a game stack, and Wennberg is a key value option in doing that.
