NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 1/5/22
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
Jack Campbell ($8,600): The Toronto Maple Leafs are heavy -275 home favorites tonight, and they could be facing a less than full strength Edmonton Oilers lineup. On Tuesday, the Oilers' top player -- and the best player in the entire league -- Connor McDavid tested positive for COVID but is set to be retested today. As of now, his status is yet to be determined for the game, but if he is out, it's a major blow to the Oilers. It not only lowers their chance to win the game but also their chance to have a remotely threatening offense.
It's no secret the Oilers have been struggling recently, and if you remove McDavid from the lineup, it's not going to be pretty. Add in the fact the Maple Leafs have been super solid on defense this season, allowing the sixth-fewest (2.08) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, and a tough matchup looks borderline insurmountable without McDavid. This could put Soup in an amazing spot tonight.
High-Priced Skaters
Jake Guentzel ($8,900): A 3.18 implied goal total and a line worth fully stacking make Guentzel and the Pittsburgh Penguins a solid option tonight. The Penguins, surprisingly, come into this game scoring 2.73 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-best in the league. Guentzel is back in the lineup and returned on a high note with a goal, an assist, and two shots on goal the other day -- the level of production we've come to expect from him.
His role on the first forward line and the first power-play always put him in a good spot to capture his offensive upside, and ultimately, you should look to stack him with his linemate, who is some guy named Sidney Crosby. The matchup against the St. Louis Blues has a solid 6.0 over/under, indicating we should be seeing some goals tonight, and Guentzel is likely going to be involved with that.
Morgan Rielly ($7,000): With a slate-high 3.80 implied goal total, you want to get some exposure to the Maple Leafs tonight. Rielly is remarkably consistent on defense this season, coming in with 14 NHL points, 33 shots on goal, and 14 blocked shots in his last 10 games. The Leafs' offense is top 10 in both goals scored (2.63) and Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which should make them the chalk of the slate. The Oilers' defense, or lack thereof, is allowing the sixth-most (2.91) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting the Leafs in an ideal spot.
Value Skaters
Brayden Schenn ($4,500): If the St. Louis Blues are going to continue scoring this many goals -- three goals or more in eight of their last 10 games -- you want some exposure to their offense. Schenn is on the third forward line and the second power-play unit for the Blues, who are always capable of posting multiple goals quickly. The matchup against the Penguins has two strong offenses going head-to-head, and if that leads to the game hitting the over on the 6.0 total, you want some players in this game. Schenn is under $5,000 and gives you a strong offensive role for his salary.
