NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 12/9/21
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
Cam Talbot ($8,200): With no clear home favorite to target in net, Talbot for the Minnesota Wild is one of the stronger options on the slate. There's no team over -200 to win on this slate, and the options at goalie are rather interesting, which has me siding with Talbot, who could be the safest play among them on the road versus the San Jose Sharks. This season, the Sharks are scoring just 2.05 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the ninth-fewest in the league. They also have an uninspiring 51.22 Corsi For (total shot attempts created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, the seventh-lowest in the league. Talbot has been on fire as of late with five straight wins, allowing three or fewer goals in each game, and racking up at least 30 saves in each. The Wild are -152 road favorites and have a fantastic matchup to keep that streak going.
High-Priced Skaters
Kyle Connor ($8,500): Kyle Connor is going to score a goal tonight. I'm trying to manifest a goal for Connor. Not that he needs my help or anything, because he has an awesome matchup versus the Seattle Kraken and is an elite goal-scorer. He comes in with only three goals in his last 10 games but has a whopping 38 shots on goal in that time. Connor now has the third-most (106) shots on goal in the entire league and consistently brings a solid floor of points. Given the the Kraken are allowing a league-worst 3.30 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, Connor is primed to get one of the many pucks he shoots to the back of the net in this one.
Vladimir Tarasenko ($7,100): The St. Louis Blues are the largest (-176) home favorite tonight, but that line is a bit deceiving. The Blues are going up against the Detroit Red Wings, who have only one fewer point than the Blues, which is why this line is very interesting to me. We also have to factor in the Blues are without both of their top two goalies due to injuries/COVID, meaning they are starting a third-string goalie tonight. How does all of this impact Tarasenko? Well, the Red Wings aren't an amazing defensive team, allowing 2.41 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Given the lack of stability in net for the Blues, Tarasenko, who skates on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, should look to drive the offense and help the Blues win the game via their offense rather than their defense.
Value Skaters
Sonny Milano ($5,400): The Anaheim Ducks are looking good right now and have a juicy matchup versus the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets are in the bottom four of the league in both goals against and Corsi against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This is why we can turn to Milano, who has 11 NHL points and 24 shots on goal across his last 10 games. A strong role on the first forward line and the first power-play unit puts him in a spot for production.
Charlie Coyle ($4,300): With the Edmonton Oilers allowing the sixth-most (2.90) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, you can always look to pick on them in NHL DFS. Coyle has a decent offensive role for the Boston Bruins, seeing time on the second forward line and the second power-play unit, which has led to him posting eight NHL points, 20 shots on goal, and five blocked shots in his last 10 games. He is a solid point-per-dollar producer for cash games.
