NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 1/7/22
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
Frederik Andersen ($8,400): There are only two games on tonight's slate, and the Carolina Hurricanes are the clear top option as -194 home favorites. The Canes are taking on the Calgary Flames on the second night of a back-to-back and set to play their fourth game in six days. To say this puts them in a tough spot would be a bit of an understatement. The Canes have one of the league's best offenses, and just as I referenced yesterday, we are looking for a goalie due to the matchup the offense has, not necessarily their individual skill.
Andersen has no doubt been great with six straight wins allowing a total of just nine goals in those games. His 1.92 goals against average this season is the third-best among goalies, and he brings you plenty of win equity tonight.
High-Priced Skaters
Alex Ovechkin ($10,400): What else needs to be said about The Great Eight? Ovi brings plenty of multi-goal potential to a small, two-game slate. It's tough to pass up that type of fantasy upside. He'll always be on the first forward line and the first power-play for the Capitals, but in recent games, we've seen him double-shifting on the second power-play as well. This is someone that may not stay forever, but you should look to capture it if he has this expanded role.
The Washington Capitals have a 3.25 implied goal total and are on the road to take on the St. Louis Blues. That's a matchup of two teams in the top 10 of the league for the most goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Ovi comes in with 12 NHL points and 57 shots on goal over his last 10 games, showing he is worth every bit of that expensive salary.
Sebastian Aho ($9,500): The Canes are not only the largest home favorite but also carry a slate-high 3.36 implied goal total. Carolina is scoring the fifth-most (3.05) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations along with the second-best (63.95) Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created). Whenever the Canes are on the slate, they are among the most popular teams and considering this is a small two-game slate, expect them to be massive chalk.
This is why we want to look to the Canes' top center, Aho, who comes in with 14 NHL points, 30 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots over his last 10 games. He is also on the top power-play unit, and that gives him a heavy offensive role to one of the league's best offenses.
Value Skaters
Robert Thomas ($5,300): The St. Louis Blues placed three players in the league COVID protocol yesterday, and that should change things up in their lineup. Thomas is set to be on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, which is a solid offensive role for a player at only $5,300. I'm more interested in the fact he will be on the second forward line without Vladimir Tarasenko, who is one of the league's best shooters but is now in the COVID protocol.
Essentially, Tarasenko is the primary scoring option on the second line normally, but with him gone, Thomas should have the chance for a higher shot volume not going to Tarasenko, and that will increase his floor of fantasy points. The power-play will continue to give him a good ceiling -- especially if we see this game hit the over on its high, 6.5-goal total.
