NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 5/17/21
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
Tuukka Rask ($7,700): The Boston Bruins are -130 road favorites tonight, and Rask will be in net for Game 2. Despite losing Game 1, Rask played well, racking up 29 saves while giving up 3 goals. This is no doubt a tough matchup versus the Washington Capitals, but I'm buying into Rask -- and more importantly the Bruins' offense -- to be able to come away with the win tonight. That is due to the fact the Capitals will have Craig Anderson in the net, who came into Game 1 after Vitek Vanecek was injured. Anderson is a 39-year-old third-string goalie for the Capitals who played in only four games this season.
High-Priced Skaters
Dougie Hamilton ($6,600): If you are looking for safety on tonight's slate it comes from Hamilton on defense. The Carolina Hurricanes hold the second-highest (3.05) implied goal total on tonight's slate, and we should expect them to be very popular in all formats. Hamilton led all defenders this season in shots on goal, which led to him averaging 3.2 shots on goal per game. Hamilton also blocked over one shot per game, adding to his very consistent floor of points every night. With Hamilton's role on the first power-play unit, he offers plenty of upside for your lineups.
Mikko Rantanen ($8,300): The Colorado Avalanche have a slate-high 3.43 implied goal total tonight, and you certainly want to get some exposure to their offense. While stacking the Avs' top forward line or the first power-play unit is very expensive, going to Rantanen as a one-off is a great idea. He led the team with 30 goals in 52 games this season and averaged over 3.0 shots on goal per game. Rantanen is truly one of the elite options on the slate, and with his goal-scoring upside, he can truly help you win a tournament.
Value Skaters
Charlie Coyle ($3,800): With only three games on the slate, value is tough to come by, but you can find some with Coyle from the Bruins. He has a depth role on the Bruins, skating on their third forward line and the second power-play unit, so his upside might be limited. However, if Coyle is able to grab an assist or a goal, his point-per-dollar value will be massive. The savings he offers will allow you to pay up for a top stack from Carolina or Colorado.
