NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Monday 1/31/22
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
Jack Campbell ($8,600): The Toronto Maple Leafs lead the slate as -345 home favorites against the New Jersey Devils and should be able to come away with the win. The Devils' defense allows 3.04 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league. This puts the Maple Leafs' offense in a spot to flex their muscles and put themselves in a spot to win.
Ultimately, Campbell has been struggling in net recently, allowing three goals or more in five straight starts, but he's come away with the win in three of those games. That's what we're after here -- the fantasy win points. He should be able to pick up due to the Leafs' offense getting the job done.
High-Priced Skaters
Jonathan Huberdeau ($8,800): Jonathan Huberdeau leads the NHL with 62 total points. That's right, not Connor McDavid, not Leon Draisaitl, not Alex Ovechkin, but Jonathan Huberdeau. He has the most points in the league, and he is under $9,000, making him a near must-play tonight. The Florida Panthers have a slate-high 4.32 implied goal total on the road as they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving us the most lopsided matchup you can possibly imagine.
The Panthers lead the league with 3.50 goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, while the Blue Jackets are dead last in the league, allowing 3.22 goals in the same situations. This puts the Panthers' offense in an overwhelmingly favorable spot, and Huberdeau should have a hand in them reaching that implied goal total.
He comes in with 16 NHL points and 34 shots on goal in his last 10 games, making him one of the most consistent fantasy players in the league.
Auston Matthews ($10,100): Matthews hasn't scored a goal in four games, and that is going to change tonight. Over these last four games, Matthews has 14 shots on goal, showing he is still driving the pace on offense; he's just getting a bit unlucky. His role on the first forward line and the first power-play remain unchanged, which will continue to make him one of the highest upside players in the league.
As noted above with Campbell, the Devils' defense is terrible this season allowing the second-most goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five (3.04) situations. This is why we see the Leafs entering with a 4.07 implied goal total, which is good for the second-highest on the slate.
Value Skaters
Jesse Puljujarvi ($5,400): The Edmonton Oilers have a 3.69 implied goal total and should be a popular option tonight. They are going up against the Ottawa Senators, who are in the bottom six of the league in goals allowed and Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. This puts any opposing team in a good spot, and that would be the Oilers tonight.
Puljujarvi is on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, giving him some exposure to both McDavid and Draisaitl. He has a lackluster 2 NHL points and 24 shots on goal over his last 10 games, but this is the type of matchup to get him going in the right direction.
Tim Stuetzle ($5,100): While the Senators aren't a good defensive team, they are going up against the Oilers, who aren't great, either. The moneyline (+160) has the Sens as large home underdog, but it could be closer than some may realize. The Oilers are allowing 2.78 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-worst in the league.
Despite being the heavy underdogs, this is actually a plus matchup for the Senators. Consider going to Tim Stuetzle, who is now on the first forward line and enters with 6 NHL points and 24 shots on goal in his last 10 games.
