NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 3/19/21

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

Frederik Andersen ($8,000): The Toronto Maple Leafs are the third-largest (-164) favorite on the slate and in a spot to come away with the win over the Calgary Flames. Andersen is confirmed as tonight's starter and has a chance to bounce back after two straight losses. The Maple Leafs' defense has looked strong this season, allowing only 2.05 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-best in the league. On the other side, the Flames' offense is not one to be too worried about, as they are only scoring the 15th-most (2.43) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Andersen may give up two or three goals, but the win equity is strong tonight.

High-Priced Skaters

Alex Ovechkin ($8,100): Death, taxes, and Alex Ovechkin scoring against the New York Rangers. The three certainties in life. Do I say this as a Rangers fan who has been tortured by Ovechkin for over a decade? That's neither here nor there, but what is true is the fact he has 56 NHL points in 61 career games against them. He is one of the best goal-scorers of all time and comes in with a four-game goal-scoring streak. He's in a spot to continue that tonight. The Washington Capitals lead the NHL with 3.03 goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, while the Rangers are allowing (2.33) around the league-average of goals per 60 minutes.

His role on the first forward line and the first power-play unit will always have him in a spot to produce plenty of fantasy points, and that won't be changing tonight. Take an elite goal-scorer with a 3.47 implied goal total and don't look back.

Ryan O'Reilly ($6,700): The St. Louis Blues have hit a rough stretch with a five-game losing streak, but they can get back on track tonight versus the San Jose Sharks. This season, the Sharks are holding the third-worst Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) and the third-worst goals allowed, both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. They are a horrible defensive team, and stacking against them gives you a safe floor of points along with a high ceiling to reach for.

Despite being on a five-game losing streak, O'Reilly has been productive along the way, with 4 NHL points, 10 shots on goal, and 4 blocked shots. As the center on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, you can expect plenty of ice time for the Blues' captain, who is due for a multi-point game against a weak Sharks defense.

Value Skaters

Josh Anderson ($4,700): The Montreal Canadiens hold a 3.10 implied goal total tonight, have a very favorable matchup versus the Vancouver Canucks, and offer plenty of value tonight. The Habs could end up as one of the chalkier teams on tonight's slate for those reasons, but it's ok to eat some chalk sometimes. This could lead you to Anderson, who is under $5,000 and on the first power-play for Montreal. While he only has 4 NHL points and 20 shots in his last 10 games, he has the chance to turn that around tonight. The Canucks are allowing a league-worst 60.48 Corsi Against this season, putting the Montreal players in a spot to generate plenty of offensive opportunities.

Cody Glass ($3,500): The Vegas Golden Knights' normal first center, Chandler Stephenson, missed their last two games and is questionable tonight. If he will be out again, look immediately to Cody Glass, who has taken Stephenson's spot on the first forward line and the first power-play unit. Glass was able to pick up a goal in their most recent game but will remain a very low-floor option because he will often concede offensive chances to linemates Mark Stone and Max Pacioretty.