2 Daily Fantasy Hockey Stacks for 12/20/19
When playing NHL DFS -- much like MLB DFS -- stacking is key. Having multiple players from the same team, who correlate together, can give your lineup upside and help you maximize potential points.
You can roster up to four players from the same team in NHL, and you should look to have players from the same forward line or power-play unit together. Shared ice time is the key, as it will maximize their ability to contribute to real-life goals with each other, ultimately leading to more fantasy points for us.
Generally, we don't see late scratches in the NHL, and the team's lines are confirmed at practice or before the game. 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.
Washington Capitals
On a smaller four-game slate, you don't want to fade a team with the scoring potential like the Washington Capitals.
Despite being on the road, the Capitals come in with a 3.42 implied goal total and could double that tonight. OK, that might be a bit of a stretch, but their offense is the highest-scoring in the league, and they are facing a very weak New Jersey Devils lineup. As of now, the Devils are allowing the sixth-most shot attempts per 60, along with holding a negative expected goal differential since the middle of November. They aren't a good team, and this isn't news -- they have the second-fewest points this season -- and have all three of their defensive pairs rated 28th or lower.
As is customary with the Capitals, we go right to their top power-play unit led by Alex Ovechkin ($8,300), who seems a bit too cheap tonight. Nicklas Backstrom ($6,700), T.J. Oshie ($6,800), and John Carlson ($7,300). They are truly one of the best four-man stacks you can find on any slate, and with this favorable matchup, they should pour in the goals tonight.
Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs are slowly turning things around and have plenty of viable stacking options.
After firing their coach earlier this season, Toronto is starting to look better and better with each game. There is still plenty of work to be done, but they have a chance to build on that tonight against the New York Rangers. We've been targeting the Rangers for the entire season since they find themselves among the bottom three teams in the league when it comes to Corsi Against, expected goals against, and the number of High-Danger-Scoring-Chances per 60 minutes. Giving up a high volume of scoring chances is a thing to target, combined with the fact the scoring chances they allow are close to the net.
The second forward line for the Maple Leafs stands out tonight simply for their salary savings. The top power-play unit is clearly the highest-upside stack they offer, but they are super expensive -- much like the Capitals top stack. You have to decide between rostering one of them essentially. That second forward line has Auston Matthews ($8,300) at center, with Kasperi Kapanen ($3,800), and William Nylander ($5,300) on the wings. One expensive player, but a bit of salary relief along the way.
