NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Thursday 1/26/23
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
Jacob Markstrom ($7,300): The Calgary Flames are huge -420 home favorites against the Chicago Blackhawks, putting Markstrom in a spot to be a very chalky option. This is due not only to the high implied win odds but also to Markstrom's salary, which is very affordable tonight. This is a great matchup since the Flames' offense has really picked up production in recent games, and with the Blackhawks' defense remains terrible.
Over the last two weeks, the Flames are scoring 2.94 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the 10th-best in the league and an increase from their 2.71 rate for the entire season. Meanwhile, in that same time span, the Blackhawks are allowing 3.63 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fifth-worst in the league, and worse than their season rate of 3.09 Goals.
High-Salaried Skaters
Mikko Rantanen ($9,900): The Colorado Avalanche got off to a really slow start this season, but in recent weeks, their offense is back to show why they are one of the best in the league. Combine that with a soft matchup against the Anaheim Ducks, and it's no surprise to see the Avalanche carrying a slate-high 4.20 implied goal total tonight.
Over the last two weeks, the Avs are scoring the fourth-most goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations (3.34), which is a sharp increase compared to their 2.18 goals in the same situation for the entire season. When it comes to the Ducks' defense, there isn't much of it -- no matter what time frame you want to look at. They are allowing 3.63 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the third-worst in the league over the last two weeks.
Rantanen is on fire this season and comes in with 11 NHL points and 42 shots on goal over his last 10 games while seeing ice time on the second forward line and the first power-play unit.
Nazem Kadri ($7,100): The Flames have a 3.88 implied goal total tonight against the Blackhawks and should be a solid option for all formats. As noted above, the Flames' offense has been getting better recently while the Blackhawks' defense is on the decline. This means we are looking at a potential offensive outburst for the Flames, and seeing them pour in five or six goals wouldn't be a surprise.
Kadri continues to be solid with 8 NHL points and 38 shots on goal over his last 10 games. Ideally, you should look to stack him with Jonathan Huberdeau ($5,600) and Tyler Toffoli ($7,000).
Value Skaters
Calen Addison ($4,400): Addison is the defender on the first power-play for the Minnesota Wild, who come in with a strong 3.57 implied goal total at home against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Wild are coming off a rough road trip and in need of a huge bounce back. Given the Flyers are allowing 2.74 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks, they could be in for just that.
Addison has 7 NHL points, 18 shots on goal, and 5 blocked shots in his last 10 games, offering some nice point-per-dollar value considering he's under $5K with power-play time.
Brayden Schenn ($5,200): The St. Louis Blues are another team that should be popular tonight due to their favorable matchup against the Arizona Coyotes, With a 3.55 implied goal total and only one player over $8,000, it's reasonable to get a few Blues skaters into your lineups tonight.
Schenn has an affordable salary while bringing some solid offense to the table. He's posted 7 NHL points, 15 shots on goal, and 9 blocked shots in his last 10 games. With time on the second forward line and the first power-play unit, he should have several chances tonight against a weak Coyotes defense.
