NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Wednesday 12/21/22
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 and 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 and take a look at today's slate and some players to consider for your lineups.
Goalie to Target
Logan Thompson ($8,600): The Vegas Golden Knights are looking to get back on track with a win, and they have a favorable matchup versus the Arizona Coyotes to get that done. This puts Vegas as -315 moneyline favorites, which should make Thompson one of the best options today when it comes to overall win equity.
The Coyotes are scoring only 2.21 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the seventh-lowest in the league. They're also carrying a paltry 45.04 Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created), which ranks second-worst. After a two-game losing streak, the Golden Knights are due for a clean bounce-back win against the lowly Coyotes.
High-Salaried Skaters
Kirill Kaprizov ($9,900): The Minnesota Wild are rolling right now with a five-game winning streak and head into today with a slate-high 3.96 implied goal total. They are up against the Anaheim Ducks, who are not only one of the worst defensive teams in the league but also on the second night of a back-to-back.
The Ducks are allowing the second-most (3.37) Goals and the second-worst (64.10) Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Kaprizov is a high-upside option in this matchup and is currently on fire on offense. He has racked up 15 NHL points, 37 shots on goal, and 7 blocked shots in his last 10 games.
Mikko Rantanen ($9,800): Given all of the injuries the Colorado Avalanche have right now, Rantanen is the do-it-all guy for them. He has 9 NHL points, 39 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots in his last 10 games, seeing time on the first forward line and the first power-play unit. A favorable matchup against the Montreal Canadiens gives the Avs a 3.66 implied goal total, and Rantanen should be involved if they are going to reach or exceed that mark.
The Canadiens are allowing the seventh-most (2.91) Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations and have taken the second-most penalty minutes in the league. Rantanen has a soft matchup overall, and considering the power-play chances will be there for the Avs, he carries some serious upside.
Value Skaters
Nino Niederreiter ($4,800): The Nashville Predators are struggling on offense right now, but a matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks can cure a lack of scoring for any team. At 2.02 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, the Predators are the fourth-lowest scoring offense in the league. That's not good in any capacity, but when you are facing a defense allowing 3.15 Goals in the same situations, it's a solid get-right spot.
Niederreiter is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit for the Predators. That has allowed him to rack up 23 shots in his last 10 games, but he's totaled just 4 NHL points in that span. Considering the Preds' offense is struggling, that low point total is not a surprise, but the offensive role is too good to pass up in this soft matchup.
William Karlsson ($5,900): Karlsson is on the second forward line and the second power-play unit for Vegas, a team that boasts a 3.71 implied total. The Coyotes are in the bottom 10 of the league for the most Goals allowed (2.96) and Corsi Against (59.76), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations.
The Vegas' offense is underproducing right now, netting only 2.42 Goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. If we look at their Expected Goals For (xGF), they should be scoring 2.71, which jumps them from 19th to 10th in the league. This is a matchup that should help get that offensive ball rolling.
