NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 4/22/22
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
Vitek Vanecek ($8,400): The Washington Capitals are going to win this game against the Arizona Coyotes -- sorry for the spoilers. The Caps are -410 road favorites and should have Vanecek in goal tonight, putting him in a spot to be popular in all formats. This game comes down to something very simple. The Capitals are better than the Coyotes and have the motivation to win. They are two points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins, and with a win, they can tie them in the hopes of moving out of a wild card spot.
Ultimately, I expect Vancek to give up some goals because the Caps are allowing 3.35 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last three weeks, which is the sixth-worst in the league. While that's not great, the Coyotes are giving up 5.18 goals in the same situations over the same time, which is astoundingly bad. The Capitals' offense will power them to a win tonight even if Vanecek gives up some goals.
High-Salaried Skaters
Brady Tkachuk ($6,900): In a matchup of two of the worst teams in the league, we turn to Tkachuk, who is putting up plenty of fantasy points recently. The Ottawa Senators are taking on the Columbus Blue Jackets where the over/under is set at 6.5 goals because both teams are in the bottom half of the league for the most goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This is nothing new, as we've been attacking both of these teams throughout the season, and that's not stopping in the last week of games.
Tkachuk comes in with 13 NHL points and 38 shots on goal over the last 10 games, both of which are the highest on the Senators. The face of their franchise skates on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which puts him in a great spot against a weak defense.
Evgeny Kuznetsov ($6,700): While looking to Alex Ovechkin from the Capitals is always a great option, don't forget about his linemate, Kuznetsov. The Capitals have a slate-high 4.25 implied goal total and are in the best matchup possible against the Coyotes' defense -- or lack thereof. As noted above, the Yotes are allowing 5.18 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last three weeks, which is dead last in the league by over a full 1.00 goals.
The Capitals should be very popular tonight, and it's likely going to be their first power-play unit, where we see Kuznetsov skating. Over his last 10 games, Kuzy has 12 NHL points and 25 shots on goal, which are the third- and second-highest on the team, respectively.
Value Skaters
Jared Spurgeon ($5,400): The Minnesota Wild have one of the best offenses in the league, and they showed that off last night, which is becoming the norm for them. They have scored three goals or more in eight of their last 10 games, boosting their goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations to 3.22 on the season.
The Wild are -300 home favorites and carry a strong 3.98 implied goal total against the Seattle Kraken. Spurgeon is on the first power-play for the Wild and is a solid point-per-dollar option and good for any format. Over his last 10 games, he has a surprising 8 NHL points, 22 shots on goal, and 17 blocked shots.
