NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 4/11/23
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 and take a look at today's slate and some players to consider for your lineups.
Goalie to Target
Linus Ullmark/Jeremy Swayman ($8,800): The Boston Bruins have put together the greatest regular season in NHL history, and there are no signs of them slowing down. They come in as -285 home favorites, set to take on the Washington Capitals, who are shorthanded and on the second night of a back-to-back. While the Bruins have clinched the top overall spot in the NHL playoffs, this is not a matchup they should be losing and have a few games left to tune up for the playoffs.
Both Ullmark and Swayman are in the top 10 of the league for the most Goals Saved Above Expected (GSAx) this season, showing they maintain a high level of production on a nightly basis. This should put them in a good spot for any format tonight -- given the high win equity.
High Salary Skaters
Sidney Crosby ($8,000): This is as important of a game as you can possibly imagine for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and that means going to their best player, Sidney Crosby. The Penguins are just a single point behind the second Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference with a game in hand. They are rocking a slate-high 4.30 implied goal total against the lowly Chicago Blackhawks, making them a clear option tonight.
Over the last two weeks, the Blackhawks are allowing 3.89 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-worst in the league. During that same time, the Penguins have ramped up their offense and are now scoring 3.09 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is good for the ninth-best in the league.
Crosby has played a big hand in that offensive production with 8 NHL points, 39 shots on goal, and 10 blocked shots over his last 10 games.
Jack Hughes ($10,000): After a Carolina Hurricanes loss last night, the New Jersey Devils have a bit more motivation to play and win their final two games. With that loss, the Devils are now just one point behind the Canes for the top seed in the Metro Division. Securing home ice is always a high priority for teams, and that should be top of mind for the Devils tonight.
They have a 3.78 implied goal total against the Buffalo Sabres, who are on the second night of a back-to-back. Over the last two weeks, the Sabres are allowing 2.58 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 13th in the league, and ultimately, nothing to write home about. Conversely, the Devils' offense remains elite over that time by scoring 3.26 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-best in the league.
Hughes continues to pile up the stats with 15 NHL points, 39 shots on goal, and 8 blocked shots over his last 10 games. Add him in any type of lineup; the production can come early and often for him.
Value Skaters
Phil Di Giuseppe ($4,200): While the Vancouver Canucks are out of the playoff race, they have a favorable matchup against the Anaheim Ducks tonight. This gives the Canucks a 3.54 implied goal total, and they're a team we can look to for some offensive production tonight. Over the last two weeks, the Ducks are allowing 3.20 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-worst in the league -- a spot they've roughly been in for the entire season.
Di Giuseppe is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit while being under $4.5K, so he has a role we don't often see for a player at that salary. In his last 10 games, he has 4 NHL points and 27 shots on goal, making him a great point-per-dollar option.
Teuvo Teravainen ($5,000): The Carolina Hurricanes laid an egg last night. It was a horrible performance by a team still needing to win games, and it came against the playoff-eliminated Ottawa Senators. As noted above, the Canes are now in a vulnerable spot with the Devils just a single point behind them in the standings. This makes tonight's game for the Canes a near must-win game to help secure home-ice advantage.
Teravainen has just 2 NHL points and 10 shots on goal over his last 10 games but is now on the first forward line and the first power-play unit. That role should be beneficial since he is up against the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed 3.70 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks (fifth-worst in the league).
