NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 2/17/22
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
Ville Husso ($8,300): The St. Louis Blues are strong -285 road favorites against the Montreal Canadiens, and we should view Husso as an elite option tonight. The Canadiens are one of the worst offensive teams in the league this season, scoring the second-fewest (1.91) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. The Blues are allowing only 2.38 goals in the same situations, which is 15th in the league.
Husso is hot right now and has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his last 10 outings, making him one of the safest options on the slate. However, Husso does lack a potential ceiling of fantasy points since he has posted more than 30 saves only twice in the last 10 games. The Blues have a strong defense that can prevent shots, which is great in real life but limits Husso's fantasy upside.
High-Priced Skaters
Alex DeBrincat ($8,000): The Columbus Blue Jackets are the worst defensive team in the league, allowing 3.33 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which leads us to DeBrincat from the Chicago Blackhawks. DeBrincat paces the Blackhawks with 28 goals in 49 games this season, playing on the first forward line and the first power-play unit. The Blackhawks have a 3.16 implied total in a clear plus matchup against the Blue Jackets' defense. DeBringcat comes in with 8 NHL points and 31 shots on goal over his last 10 games, a rate of production he can continue versus a weak defense.
Mika Zibanejad ($7,700): The New York Rangers have a strong 3.42 implied total and find themselves as -200 home favorites against the Detroit Red Wings. Zibanejad has been very productive as of late with 15 NHL points, 25 shots on goal, and 10 blocked shots across his last 10 games. Zibanejad brings a solid floor of points and a ceiling to reach for with his role on the first power-play unit.
The Red Wings are allowing 2.70 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season, which is the seventh-most in the league. We also see Detroit as the 10th-worst team in the league when it comes to Corsi Against (56.87) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
Value Skaters
Ivan Barbashev ($4,900): The Blues have a slate-high 3.96 implied total today, so their offensive options are going to be popular in all formats. Barbashev is on the third forward line but is seeing time on the first power-play unit. That's a valuable role to have in an offense that has an amazing matchup versus the Canadiens, who are allowing the third-most (3.11) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season. Barbashev comes in with 5 NHL points and 17 shots in his last 10 games, which is solid point-per-dollar value.
Jesse Puljujarvi ($5,000): Puljujarvi skates on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Edmonton Oilers, meaning he shares the ice with Connor McDavid, who I've heard is pretty good at hockey. That's a valuable role to possess for any player -- let alone one who is only $5,000. Puljujarvi has struggled as of late with only 2 NHL points and 18 shots on goal over his last 10 games, but with a 3.84 implied goal total, the Oilers are primed for some offense tonight.
