NHL

NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 1/5/23

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

Darcy Kuemper ($7,800): The Washington Capitals are -205 road favorites against the Columbus Blue Jackets and are in a spot to come away with the win. Between being a heavy moneyline favorite and his affordable salary, Kuemper should be one of the more popular options tonight.

The Blue Jackets are one of the weaker offenses in the league, scoring only 2.17 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-lowest in the NHL. We've seen the Capitals' defense improve throughout the season, and in the same situations, they are allowing 2.25 goals, which is the 10th-best in the league.

High-Salaried Skaters

Andrei Svechnikov ($7,400): The Carolina Hurricanes have a 3.56 implied goal total tonight and hold a great matchup to push beyond that. They are taking on the Nashville Predators, a team with very little consistency on defense. They allow a 59.83 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), which is the fifth-worst in the league. That has caused them to let up three-plus goals in 7 of their last 10 games.

This is a prime matchup for Svechnikov, who is on the first forward line and the first power-play for the Canes. That's allowed him to rack up 7 NHL points and 36 shots on goal over his last 10 games. The Canes are boasting a 66.42 Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the best mark in the league.

Nathan MacKinnon ($10,200): With a 6.5 over/under between the Colorado Avalanche and the Vancouver Canucks, we should be in for a great game for fantasy production. After missing several weeks with an injury, MacKinnon has been back in the lineup for the last two games, posting 11 shots on goal and 2 NHL points. This is the level of production we should be expecting from one of the best offensive players in the league, and his multi-point potential should shine in this matchup.

The Canucks are horrible on defense this season and come in allowing 3.04 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league. They also sit in the bottom half of the league when it comes to Corsi Against, which is why we see the Avalanche carrying a hefty 3.56 implied goal total tonight.

Of course, MacKinnon is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, giving him a high floor and a high ceiling.

Value Skaters

Kaapo Kakko ($4,700): The New York Rangers have a 3.49 implied goal total tonight, traveling on the road to take on the lowly Montreal Canadiens. We can get a bit of value with Kakko, who is on the first forward line and the second power-play unit for the Rangers and is making the most of that opportunity.

He has 9 NHL points, 15 shots on goal, and 3 blocked shots in his last 10 games; that's solid point-per-dollar production each night. The Habs are allowing the sixth-most goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations (3.01), putting the Rangers' offense in a great spot tonight.

Dylan Strome ($5,200): Strome has been skating on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Capitals, giving you some affordable exposure to Alex Ovechkin ($9,900). If you can afford to roster Ovi -- or the entire stack -- do so, but Strome offers a bit of a way around that.

He shares ice time with Ovi, and that has allowed him to pick up 4 assists, 2 goals, and 12 shots on goal over his last 10 games. The Capitals are taking on the Blue Jackets, who as mentioned are allowing a league-worst 3.37 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Strome could be in for a big night when tied to Ovechkin and his upside.