NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 12/6/21
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
Braden Holtby ($8,100): The Dallas Stars are massive -375 home favorites tonight, and that puts Holtby in line for the win. We see the Stars as heavy favorites since they are taking on the lowly Arizona Coyotes, who are only scoring 1.75 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-lowest in the league. Their weak offense is going to have a tough time against the Stars, who allow the 10th lowest (2.06) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Holtby comes in with wins in each of his last two starts and has allowed a total of three goals, showing he is on form and primed to continue that versus the Coyotes.
High-Priced Skaters
Nathan MacKinnon ($9,200): MacKinnon is going to score a goal tonight. That's my take for tonight's slate, and frankly, MacKinnon is simply due. I hate using the term "due," but it makes sense for MacKinnon, who has scored 35 goals or more in three of the past four seasons, yet he has only a single goal in 11 games this year. The Colorado Avalanche have a strong 3.56 implied goal total tonight, and with MacKinnon on the first forward line and the first power-play, he's likely going to be involved.
They have that high implied goal total since they are going up against the Philadelphia Flyers, who are allowing the 11th most (2.70) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations and are the second-worst (60.98) in the league in Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed) in the same situations. MacKinnon is averaging over three shots on goal per game, and given his offensive role, yes, he is "due" for a goal, and this matchup should allow that.
Dougie Hamilton ($7,200): With a 3.69 implied goal total, the New Jersey Devils should be a popular team in all formats tonight. Hamilton is tied as the most expensive defender on tonight's slate, but he is well worth the salary since he comes in averaging over 5.5 combined shots and blocked shots per game. This gives him an immensely high floor of points every night, something that is perfect for cash games. His upside comes from his role on the first power-play unit, which is in a great spot since they are up against the Ottawa Senators, who are on the penalty kill for 5.50 minutes per 60 minutes.
Speaking of the Senators, they are bad on defense! Like really bad, allowing a league-worst 62.62 Corsi Against and the fourth-most (3.00) goals allowed, both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This puts the Devils in a fantastic spot and makes Hamilton a priority target tonight.
Value Skaters
Conor Sheary ($4,200): Sheary is on the third forward line and the first power-play unit for the Washington Capitals, making him a clear value option tonight. The Caps come in with a strong 3.47 implied goal total and are -215 home favorites against the Anaheim Ducks. Sheary has a modest 4 NHL points, 11 shots on goal, and 4 blocked shots in his last 10 games, but he has upside due to his time on the power-play with Alex Ovechkin. Sheary can pick up an easy assist on the power-play, helping reach value tonight.
Esa Lindell ($4,500): As noted above, the Stars are huge home favorites tonight, and you should look to get some exposure to their offense. They have a soft matchup versus the Coyotes, putting them in a spot to be very popular. Lindell is on the second power-play unit, but more importantly, he has plenty of point-per-dollar value with his 25 shots on goal and 20 blocked shots over his last 10 games.
