NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Tuesday 1/31/23
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
Frederik Andersen ($8,200): The Carolina Hurricanes are big -205 home favorites against the Los Angeles Kings, who are on the last game of an 11-day, 6-game road trip. The Hurricanes remain one of the best defensive teams in the league, allowing just 1.98 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-best in the league.
They are also very stingy when it comes to allowing shots, with a league-best 44.92 Corsi Against (Total Shot Attempts Allowed), per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. With one of the best defenses in the league in front of him, Andersen should be on a path to picking up an easy win tonight.
High-Salaried Skaters
Alex Ovechkin ($9,100): The Washington Capitals have a slate-high 3.74 implied goal total against the Columbus Blue Jackets, a game that should feature plenty of scoring. The Blue Jackets have been among the weakest defensive teams in the league for the entire season, and over the last two weeks, they remain among the bottom five in the league. This is nothing new, and we want to stack against them when we can.
But when it comes to the Capitals, they have fallen off a cliff on defense.
For the season, the Capitals are allowing 2.40 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 14th in the league. However, in the last two weeks, they are allowing 3.39 goals, which is the third-worst. What does this mean? This has put the Capitals on their heels a bit, and getting into these higher-scoring games is forcing their offense to keep their foot on the gas -- thus, giving Ovechkin more fantasy upside.
When Ovi is forced to keep the pressure up on offense, he has an immense fantasy ceiling, something not many players on this three-game slate can match. Over his last 10 games, he has 6 NHL points and 39 shots on goal, which are levels he should look to push higher given the favorable matchup tonight.
Sebastian Aho ($8,600): With the Canes being -205 home favorites, they are also carrying a 3.47 implied goal total, making them a clear team to roster tonight. The Kings are seriously struggling on defense right now to the tune of 3.96 goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations over the last two weeks, which is the second-worst in the league.
As usual, the Canes have a strong offense sitting in the top 10 over the last two weeks in Corsi For (60.38) and goals scored (2.91), both per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations. Aho is on fire right now with 14 NHL points, 38 shots on goal, and 6 blocked shots in his last 10 games while skating on the first forward line and the first power-play unit.
Value Skaters
Jake Sanderson ($5,300): Sanderson brings some much-needed value on this small three-game slate, along with a hint of offensive upside. The Ottawa Senators have a 3.71 implied goal total tonight against the Montreal Canadiens, a team that allows the seventh-most (2.84) goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season. We have seen that on full display recently when they have allowed four goals or more in four of their last five games. Sanderson is the defender on the second power-play coming in with 6 assists, 23 shots on goal, and 17 blocked shots in his last 10 games.
