NHL

NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 2/4/21

Hockey is officially back! 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

Carey Price ($8,600): With the Montreal Canadiens as -320 home favorites versus the Ottawa Senators, you should be looking to Price in all formats tonight. Price has been confirmed as the starter tonight and will likely end up being the most popular goalie in cash games, along with one of the most popular options in tournaments. Price is the most expensive goalie on the slate, but we have eight games in action tonight, so there are plenty of value options to choose from.

Price comes in with three straight wins and four total wins on the season, and he has given up two goals or fewer in each of the four victories. The level of consistency he brings on a nightly basis is nearly unmatched on this slate, and it won't be slowing down tonight. The Senators come into this game in the bottom half of the league in goals for (2.16) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. They aren't a huge threat offensively, which is shown by their lowly 2.47 implied goal total tonight. Lock Price in all formats tonight.

High-Priced Skaters

Auston Matthews ($8,700): The Toronto Maple Leafs are carrying a very high 3.66 implied goal total tonight and should end up as one of the chalkiest teams on the slate. They are going up against the Vancouver Canucks, who hold a 62.19 Corsi Against (Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the worst in the league. As you can assume, letting up all of those shot attempts isn't a good thing, and that has led to the Canucks allowing the third-most (3.20) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.

Given the fact Matthews is on the top forward line and the top power-play unit, he should have a significant number of chances to pile up the fantasy points. Piling up the points is exactly what he has been doing as of late, with an active five-game goal-scoring streak and 18 shots on goal in that time.

John Carlson ($7,200): Paying up at defense is always an interesting decision, but if you do so, you want a floor and a ceiling. That is what Carlson brings to your lineup, and you should feel comfortable using him in all formats tonight -- and really any night if we're being honest. Carlson's floor comes from the fact he is averaging 2.9 shots on goal per game this season along with over 1.0 blocks per game. That level of production makes him a solid cash game option. His ceiling comes from the fact he is on the first power-play for the Washington Capitals and gets you exposure to Alex Ovechkin, which is always great.

Tonight, the Capitals have a 3.22 implied goal total against the New York Rangers, where the over/under is set at 6.5. The Rangers are allowing the 11th-most (2.50) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, putting Carlson in a spot to score whether it's at even strength or the power-play.

Value Skaters

Josh Anderson ($4,300): It's all about getting exposure to the Canadiens' offense and their 4.03 implied goal total tonight. If you can't afford their top players or are paying up for another team, consider looking towards winger Josh Anderson. He is on the second forward line and the second power-play for Montreal, and he has a very impressive 31 shots on goal through 10 games. He has six real NHL points in his last six games, a trend that should certainly continue with a soft matchup versus the Senators tonight.

Martin Necas ($4,100): The Carolina Hurricanes have a very solid 3.67 implied goal total tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks and are worth rostering in DFS. There are plenty of teams with high implied goal totals and getting exposure to them with lower salaries is always a viable option. Necas is on the second forward line for the Hurricanes and is also seeing time on the second power-play unit. He has modest production to start the season with 4 real NHL points but is filling up the rest of the stat sheet with 17 shots on goal and 9 blocked shots through seven games.