NHL Daily Fantasy Helper: Friday 3/3/23
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/Antti Raanta ($8,200): The Carolina Hurricanes are enormous -385 road favorites against the Arizona Coyotes and looking to break a two-game losing streak. A two-game losing streak may not seem long, but the Canes are one of the best teams in the league, and this is a clear bounce-back spot.
Since the start of February, the Canes are allowing just 1.98 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the fourth-best in the league. Over that same time, the Coyotes are scoring 2.60 goals, which is good for 16th in the league. They also come in with a 48.23 Corsi For (Total Shot Attempts Created) per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is the second-worst in the league.
This is a lackluster offense that shouldn't provide too much of an issue for Andersen or Raanta.
High-Salaried Skaters
Sebastian Aho ($7,200): With a 3.81 implied goal total, the Canes top the slate in that department and should be in for a big offensive night against the Coyotes' defense. Aho is the center on the first forward line and the first power-play unit for the Canes, coming in with 8 NHL points and 27 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
Those are relatively modest numbers for his role considering the Canes lead the league with 3.44 goals scored per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations since the start of February. The offense has been buzzin', but Aho hasn't always been involved. It's a sign of their offense being elite overall, but with the Coyotes allowing the 10th most goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations this season (2.75), it's time for Aho to get back on the score sheet.
Connor McDavid ($11,00): Just play McDavid. It's really that simple when he is on a near record-setting pace, posting a fantasy ceiling every single night. Over just his last FIVE GAMES, he has 10 goals, 6 assists, and 31 shots on goal. There are dozens of players that don't put up 16 points in an entire month, and McDavid did it in five games.
The Edmonton Oilers come in with a 3.52 implied goal total against the Winnipeg Jets, where the over/under is set at 6.5. Since the start of February, both teams are in the bottom half of the league for the most goals allowed per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which should set things up for an awesome fantasy environment.
Value Skaters
Mike Hoffman ($5,100): The Montreal Canadiens have a 3.14 implied goal total against the Anaheim Ducks, which could be a sneaky great spot for fantasy production. Both teams are horrible on defense, but the Canadiens are showing they are fully competent on offense. Over the last month, the Habs are scoring 2.89 goals per 60 minutes in five-on-five situations, which is 14th in the league.
Hoffman is on the first forward line and the first power-play unit, coming in with 7 assists, 24 shots on goal, and no goals over his last 10 games. If there's any time for him to break his goal drought, it's this matchup tonight.
Nino Niederreiter ($4,800): Niederreiter was recently traded to the Jets, and they put him on the second forward line and the first power-play unit. That's an awesome role to have for a player under $5,000 -- especially in this great matchup against the Oilers.
I'm expecting plenty of scoring in this matchup, so getting lower-salaried exposure is always a great option, and he helps with lineup construction when trying to pay up for McDavid.
Niederreiter has 5 Goals and 21 shots on goal over his last 10 games.
