NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 4/19/21
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
Anton Khudobin ($7,600): The Dallas Stars are -275 home favorites tonight against the Detroit Red Wings and it's a clear spot to target Khudobin in net. The Stars have one of the best defenses in the league, only allowing a 49.25 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is third-best in the league. They are limiting opponent shot attempts at such a high rate, the opportunities for opposing teams to score are extremely limited. This is also why we see the Stars allowing only 1.75 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the best in the league.
High-Priced Skaters
Aleksander Barkov ($7,900): The Florida Panthers have a solid 3.23 implied goal total tonight, which is the third-highest on the slate. You should be expecting the Panthers to be popular in all formats tonight and it's for good reason, as they are up against the Columbus Blue Jackets, who are one the of the worst defensive teams in the league. Columbus sits in the bottom-10 of the league in both Corsi Against and goals allowed, both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
This leads us to Barkov, who is on the top forward line and the top power-play unit for the Panthers, both of which should be popular stacks tonight. Over his last 10 games, Barkov has 8 NHL points, 31 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots. He could be considered the top point-per-dollar option at center tonight since Connor McDavid is in a tougher matchup versus the Montreal Canadiens.
Joe Pavelski ($7,400): Since the Stars are massive -275 home favorites tonight, you should be looking to their top line. Pavelski is on the top line for the Stars and comes in with 9 NHL points, 24 shots on goal, and 7 blocked shots in his last 10 games. Considering Dallas has a 3.34 implied goal total -- the second-highest on the slate -- you should be anticipating the Stars being chalky in cash games. They are up against the Red Wings, who are allowing the 10th-most (2.56) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, making this an easy spot for the Stars.
Value Skaters
Alex Barre-Boulet ($3,000): If you are looking for a pure 'punt play', Barre-Boulet could be the option. Barre-Boulet has only played four games -- has zero NHL points -- with the Tampa Bay Lightning this season, two of which were in the past five days, but he does have a very noticeable role with the team. He is skating on the top forward line and the top power-play unit. This is not something we normally see from a player who is the minimum salary, so it's certainly something to take advantage of while you can.
Andrew Mangiapane ($3,700): If you need value at the wing, look to Mangiapane from the Calgary Flames. They carry a solid 3.21 implied goal total tonight against the lowly Ottawa Senators, making them an obvious team to stack. Mangiapane is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit alongside Sean Monahan, which makes a solid two-man stack if you need some salary relief.
