NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 4/29/22
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
Jake Oettinger ($8,000): The Dallas Stars didn't take care of business the other night against the Arizona Coyotes, and now they need to pick up two points against the Anaheim Ducks. The Stars are sitting in the second wild card spot and are one point behind the Nashville Predators, so two points would help them jump over the Predators in the standings. Of course, this is if the Predators don't pick up any points, but the Stars need to take care of business to start.
The Stars are -255 home favorites against the Ducks, who have been one of the worst defensive teams since the start of April. In that time, the Ducks are allowing 3.35 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-worst in the league. We're looking to Oettinger since the Stars' offense should be able to power them to a win over a weak defensive team.
High-Salaried Skaters
Jake Guentzel ($8,300): The Pittsburgh Penguins are in what is essentially a must-win matchup versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. After losing each of their last two games, the Penguins are now only one point ahead of the Washington Capitals in the standings for the third seed in the Metro Division. The Capitals are holding onto the second wild card spot, meaning they are lined up to play the Florida Panthers, the best team in the league. Simply, if the Penguins win, they stay in the three seed and don't fall to the wild card, so they control their own destiny.
They have an easy matchup to get that done since the Blue Jackets are allowing 3.17 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, which is the third-worst in the league. Guentzel is an elite goal-scorer and has shown that recently with 7 goals, 6 assists, and 33 shots on goal in his last 10 games. A role on the first forward line and the first power-play unit will put him in a great spot to reach for a ceiling versus a weak defense.
Tage Thompson ($7,600): Thompson has been a stud for the Buffalo Sabres this season and has a good matchup to end the year on that high note. Thompson has 67 NHL points in 77 games this season, including 12 NHL points and 23 shots on goal in his last 10 games. He's the top-line center and on the first power-play unit for the Sabres, who come in with a 3.46 implied goal total tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks.
Since the start of April, the Blackhawks are allowing 3.52 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league in that time. With both teams being bad on defense this season, a sloppy back and forth game to end the year could be on tap.
Value Skaters
Maxim Mamin ($3,200): The Florida Panthers rested a number of their normal starters last night, and it won't be a surprise to see them do the same thing tonight. Those changes allowed Mamin to be on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, which is a massive role for a player who is only $200 above the minimum salary. The Panthers are carrying a slate-high 4.29 implied goal total tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, who are allowing 3.54 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations since the start of April, which is the fourth-worst in the league.
Mikael Granlund ($4,500): With a salary under $5,000, Granlund has to be one of the best values on the slate tonight. He plays on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Predators, who have a 3.95 implied goal total, which is the third-highest on the slate. They are going up against the Coyotes, who allow the most goals (4.56) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations since the start of April. He has 11 NHL points, 11 shots on goal, and 9 blocked shots in his last 10 games, giving him some nice point-per-dollar value.
