NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 4/13/21
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
Jeremy Swayman ($7,700): The Boston Bruins are -340 home favorites tonight and have one of the best matchups on the slate versus the Buffalo Sabres. Rookie Swayman has seen the start in three games over the past week, coming away with two wins while allowing a total of seven goals in that time. He is confirmed as the starter tonight and is in a good spot because the Sabres are only scoring 1.81 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the lowest in the league.
On top of that, the Bruins are also limiting opposing team's offensive chances with a solid 50.05 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), which is the seventh-best in the league. All in all, Swayman is very affordable for being such a large home favorite in a soft matchup.
High-Priced Skaters
Mika Zibanejad ($7,700): Over the last 10 games, Zibanejad has 12 NHL points, 27 shots on goal, and even 9 blocked shots. That is exactly the level of production you are looking for when you pay up for an elite top-line center, which is what you get with Zibanejad. He should be able to keep that production going tonight versus the New Jersey Devils, who are allowing the 12th-most (2.53) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Considering the New York Rangers are scoring the fifth-most (2.75) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, they are in a spot for plenty of scoring.
Not only should you be targeting Zibanejad but also the first power-play stack with Chris Kreider ($6,200), Artemi Panarin ($8,200), Ryan Strome ($6,000), or Adam Fox ($6,100). You want to roster a power-play stack because we have seen all four of the matchups between these two teams hit the over this season.
T.J. Oshie ($6,400): The Washington Capitals have a 3.58 implied goal total tonight, which is the highest on the slate. This shouldn't come as a surprise, but you want to be looking to the Capitals tonight for their offensive upside, as they lead the league with 3.04 goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Oshie is skating on the second forward line and the first power-play for the Capitals, which should be a popular stack tonight given their implied goal total. Oshie has been doing his normal thing as of late with 13 NHL points and 19 shots on goal in his last 10 games.
Value Skaters
Alex Galchenyuk ($3,800): Galchenyuk is skating on the top line for the Toronto Maple Leafs and is still under $4,000. Rostering him allows you to get cheap exposure to Auston Matthews and Mitchell Marner, which is ultimately where Galchenyuk's value comes from. He won't bring a massive amount of offensive potential on his own but always has the chance to fall into an easy goal or assist. Galchenyuk is on the second power-play unit, which could be a deep tournament stack to consider tonight.
Tyler Johnson ($3,600): With Steven Stamkos doubtful for tonight's game, we should see Johnson on the first forward line again. Stamkos missed Tampa Bay's most recent game, which is what pushed Johnson to the first forward line. This is an identical situation to Galchenyuk above. Johnson doesn't bring insane offensive upside. You are simply taking the salary relief, which will help you stack Brayden Point ($7,200) and Ondrej Palat ($5,400).
