NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 12/29/21
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
Ilya Samsonov ($8,300): The Washington Capitals are -160 home favorites, and we should be looking to Samsonov in net tonight for cash games. The Capitals come in with a strong defense this season and are only allowing 2.01 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the sixth-lowest in the league. This has helped Samsonov pick up 7 wins in his last 10 games while allowing three goals or fewer in eight of those games.
He will be up against the Nashville Predators, who enter with a below-average offense this season. They've scored 2.26 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations and produced a 53.37 Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) -- both of which are the 13th lowest in the league. Their offense doesn't pose too much of a threat for Samsonov, who has been playing well and picking up wins.
High-Priced Skaters
Vladimir Tarasenko ($7,600): The St. Louis Blues have a 3.42 implied goal total, which is the third-highest on the slate. We can look to stack them tonight. They are at home and taking on the Edmonton Oilers, who are allowing the fourth-most (2.91) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. With this game having an over/under of 6.5, we should see plenty of scoring, and that means we want to look to the Blues' top skaters.
This is where we turn to Tarasenko, who has 8 NHL points and 17 shots on goal in his last five games. A role on the second forward line and the first power-play unit is as secure as Fort Knox, setting him up for a high floor and a high ceiling. Tarasenko should be stacked with Pavel Buchnevich and Torey Krug as a solid three-man power-play stack.
Dougie Hamilton ($6,500): If you are looking for consistency on defense, Hamilton is always a go-to option. The New Jersey Devils have a 3.17 implied goal total and a good matchup against the Buffalo Sabres, who are allowing the eight-most (2.80) Goals Against per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Hamilton comes in with 5 NHL points, 31 shots on goal, and 10 blocked shots over his last 10 games -- doing it all on a nightly basis. He is great for cash games due to his high floor of points and also great for tournaments. Hamliton has scoring upside on the Devils' first power-play unit.
Value Skaters
Alex Tuch ($3,900): Welcome to Narrative Street -- population Alex Tuch. This is my hot take of the night, Tuch scores a goal in his first game with the Buffalo Sabres. Tuch was traded from the Vegas Golden Knights to the Sabres a part of the Jack Eichel deal earlier this season but has been on injured reserve to start the season. Tuch is a native of Syracuse, New York and grew up a Sabres fan. Thus, that's a healthy story to exploit. A player making a team debut for his childhood team is peak narrative.
It's also a solid matchup on top of the narrative. He is up against the Devils, who are allowing the sixth-most (2.87) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Tuch should be on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, giving him plenty of offensive upside.
Jaden Schwartz ($4,900): If you are looking for a player that isn't too high-salaried and has a good matchup, Schwartz is one of the better options on the slate. Seattle's 3.44 implied goal total is the second-highest on the slate, and it's due to the fact they are going up against the Philadelphia Flyers. Philadelphia is in the bottom 10 of the league in Goals Against, Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), and High-Danger-Scoring-Chances allowed -- all per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The Flyers are truly one of the worst defensive teams in the league, and that should lead you right to Schwartz; he is on the top forward line and the top power-play for the Kraken.
