NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 3/2/21
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
Joonas Korpisalo ($7,400): The Columbus Blue Jackets are -194 home favorites against the Detroit Red Wings, and we should be looking to Korpisalo in net tonight. The Red Wings are one of the weakest offensive teams in the NHL, and this should allow Korpisalo to have an easier night in net and put him in a spot to pick up the win. Right now, the Red Wings are scoring 2.01 goals per 60 minutes while at even-strength, which is the fourth-fewest in the league. They also hold the fourth-lowest (48.76) Corsi For per 60 minutes at even-strength, showing they pose little threat.
High-Priced Skaters
Brendan Gallagher ($6,200): The Montreal Canadiens are on a five-game losing streak and have fired their head coach, but they have a chance to right the ship. With a 3.93 implied goal total and sitting as -270 home favorites, the Canadiens should be a chalky team tonight in all formats. They are up against the Ottawa Senators, who are dead last in the league in goals against (3.41) and Corsi Against (58.11), both per 60 minutes while at even-strength. They are the worst defensive team in the NHL and should be targeted in DFS on a nightly basis. Gallagher is "due" for a goal. Over the last five games, he has a very solid 14 shots on goal but doesn't have a single goal to show for it. He is still skating on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, which puts him in a good spot to produce. Leave the recency bias behind and go with the favorable matchup.
Blake Wheeler ($7,200): Despite a disappointing performance last night, the Winnipeg Jets are worth trusting again. The Jets got blanked 4-0 against the Vancouver Canucks on Monday, but they have a chance to run it right back with the exact same matchup. The Jets hold a 3.37 implied goal total, which is the second-highest on the slate. Why is this matchup worth attacking again? Well, the Canucks are allowing the third-most (3.03) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, along with the fourth-worst (57.2) Corsi Against. Vancouver has been a source of fantasy points for opposing teams all season, and there is no reason to stop attacking them now. Wheeler has been hot as of late with nine NHL points and 23 shots on goal over his last 10 games. With his role on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, Wheeler is one of the night's best plays.
Value Skaters
Colin Blackwell ($3,800): With Artemi Panarin still out for the New York Rangers, their top forward lines and the first power-play unit continue to see changes. One such change is Blackwell up on the first power-play unit, an opportunity he isn't letting go to waste. Over his last five games, Blackwell has 5 real-world points and 16 shots on goal, and he is still under $4,000. That production at this low of a salary isn't found too often, making Blackwell a great value option.
Jared McCann ($3,700): The Pittsburgh Penguins announced that Sidney Crosby is out tonight due to COVID protocols, causing a shift in the Penguins' lines. Evgeni Malkin has moved up to the first forward line, and Jared McCann is the center on the second line along with taking Crosby's spot on the first power-play unit. Realistically, McCann doesn't bring a ton of offensive upside on his own, but getting exposure to Malkin, Jake Guentzel, and Kris Letang on the first power-play unit through a value player is never a bad idea.
