NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 12/28/21
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
James Reimer ($7,800): The San Jose Sharks are -250 home favorites against the Arizona Coyotes tonight, and that makes Reimer a clear option in net. Even though the Tampa Bay Lightning are larger (-275) home favorites, that line seems a bit high considering they are likely starting their third-string goalie. We want to stick with the safer option, and that means going to Reimer, who has allowed two goals or fewer in four of his last five starts.
He will be up against the Coyotes, who come in scoring only 1.84 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fourth-lowest in the league. Considering Reimer's salary being under $8,000, he is one of the best goalie options tonight.
High-Priced Skaters
Timo Meier ($9,700): As noted above, the Sharks are heavy home favorites (-250) and come in with a 3.17 implied goal total. You can expect the Sharks to be popular in all formats since the Coyotes are allowing the sixth-most (2.86) goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Meier is skating on the top forward line and the top power-play for the Sharks, making him a bit of a priority tonight in this soft matchup. He has racked up 29 NHL points in 25 games this season, along with averaging over 4 shots on goal per game. He is ideal for both cash games and tournaments tonight due to his high floor and a matchup that should allow him to reach for a ceiling.
Victor Hedman ($7,700): With a slate-high 3.69 implied goal total, the Lightning are a clear team to target tonight. They come in scoring 2.54 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 11th-best in the league. Hedman is as consistent of an option as you can find on defense, and spending up for the most expensive defender on the slate brings you plenty of security in your lineups.
He has piled up 31 NHL points, 77 shots on goal, and 43 blocked shots through 30 games this season, getting it done each and every night. The matchup against the Montreal Canadiens is a good one, with their defense allowing 2.60 goals against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 11th-worst in the league. Hedman also sees time on the first power-play unit, which brings plenty of upside if you stack him with Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat.
Value Skaters
Alex Turcotte ($3,000): At the minimum salary, Turcotte brings much-needed salary relief on a small three-game slate. Turcotte is a former 5th overall pick in the first round of the 2019 NHL draft, and he is set to make his NHL debut tonight. As a playmaking center, he'll likely be on the second forward line and the second power-play unit for the Los Angeles Kings, who have a 2.79 implied goal total against the Vegas Golden Knights. The Golden Knights could be down to their backup goalie tonight, and with a 6.0 over/under, we could see some scoring in this matchup.
Taylor Raddysh ($4,300): Raddysh has been seeing time on the top forward line and the second power-play unit for the Lightning. Tampa has the highest (3.69) implied goal total, and with Raddysh coming in under $5,000, he is an easy answer for value on a small slate. A decent four points and seven shots on goal in his last five games should continue with an expanded offensive role.
