NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 5/23/22
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 and 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
Andrei Vasilevskiy ($8,200): The Tampa Bay Lightning are up 3-0 against the Florida Panthers and looking to pick up the sweep tonight. The Lightning come in as slight -125 home favorites tonight, and frankly, that line is far too low. They have allowed a total of three goals in this series and are 3-1 at home in the playoffs this year.
Since the start of the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, Vasilevskiy has allowed a total of 11 goals in eight games that could potentially close out a series. That's good for 1.37 goals per game, which is beyond elite at any time -- but especially in the playoffs.
High-Salaried Skaters
Nikita Kucherov ($9,200): Kucherov has been on fire in the playoffs and is showing that in this series. He has 7 NHL points and 12 shots on goal in the first three games of this series, showing he is worth rostering each and every night. He continues to skate on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which has given him a high floor and a high ceiling. The Lightning have a 3.35 implied goal total, which is the second-highest on the slate, putting them in a good spot to pour in the offense as they've been doing all series.
Ryan O'Reilly ($5,800): O'Reilly may not have a salary of a top-tier skater, but he deserves it.
One game. There has been one game out of the nine that O'Reilly has played in the playoffs where he failed to record at least one NHL point. This level of consistency has given him 12 NHL points and 32 shots on goal through nine playoff games. The St. Louis Blues' top-line center has been producing at an elite level yet his salary is still affordable.
The Blues are going to be without their top goalie, Jordan Binnington, and if they have any hopes of winning this series, they will need O'Reilly to continue to post plenty of points.
Value Skaters
Bowen Byram ($4,200): The Colorado Avalanche are going to be without defenseman Samuel Girard due to a broken sternum, which changes their second power-play unit. Byram had a modest role for the Avalanche, but that has been slightly elevated due to Girard's injury. Byram only has 2 NHL points in nine playoff games this year but has 16 shots on goal and 4 blocked shots.
That has a chance to be elevated due to his new offensive role on a team that is carrying a slate-high 3.57 implied goal total.
