NHL DFS Environmental Study for January 24, 2022

Here in the environmental study we’re going to identify the games with the best fantasy scoring environments for everyday of the NHL season. To do this we’re going to look at teams’ scoring chances for (SCF), scoring chances against (SCA), high danger chances for (HDF), high danger chances against (HDA), power play opportunities (PPO) and power play opportunities against (PPOA). The reason for applying those stats to this particular exercise is because they are the best indicator of a team’s scoring opportunities and we want to identify games with teams that possess the best combination of quality and quantity of scoring opportunities.

Los Angeles Kings vs New York Rangers 

Totals: Highest 5.5 DK 5.5 FD 5.5 

The Los Angeles Kings (21-16-5) take on the New York Rangers (27-11-4) tonight after snapping a three game losing streak with a win against the Devils yesterday. Kings games have seen plenty of scoring lately with 5+ goals in seven of their last ten and four of those games hitting 8+ goals. 

Besides an atrocious shooting percentage (6.6% 28^th) LA’s offense can go blow for blow with any team in the league, ranking 2^nd in SCF (1038, 24.71/game) and 3^rd in HDF (322, 7.66/game). They’re finding themselves with a man advantage often, PPO (134, 3.19/game), and are getting enough shots (1488, 35.42/game) to make a drunk jealous. 

Luckily for the Kings their goalies combine for one of the best save percentages (.932 4^th) on the season because the rest of their defensive numbers are putrid. LA ranks 5^th in SCA (945, 22.5/game) and 9^th in HDA (281, 6.69/game) while allowing a middling amount of shots against (1211, 28.83/game). The Kings are remaining fairly disciplined though, PPOA (115, 2.73/game). 

With wins in four of their last five games the Rangers host tonight’s contest attempting to continue their surge up the standings. New York’s games have featured 9 or more goals in three straight. 

Despite the recent high scoring affairs they’ve played in the Rangers offensive numbers are a little underwhelming, ranking just 26^th in SCF (785, 18.69/game) and 16^th in HDF (257 , 6.11/game). Their amount of PPO (121, 2.88/game) is middle of the road, as is their shot volume (1185, 28.21/game) but they make the most of the shots they get with fantastic shooting efficiency (8.2% 10^th). 

Their offense might not look like the best for fantasy scoring purposes but New York’s defense offers up a very fertile fantasy landscape. Giving their opponents all the offensive opportunities in the world the Rangers rank 2^nd in SCA (982, 23.38/game) and 2^nd in HDA (315, 7.5/game). They’re staying out of the box, PPOA (122, 2.9/game) but they’re still dealing with a healthy amount of shots against (1339, 31.88/game) only an elite save percentage (.931 5^th) bails them out. 

Both of these teams have been playing in real shootouts lately and even though the Rangers numbers show a team lacking offensive fire power, the Kings tissue soft defense will give them plenty of chances. 

Vegas Golden Knights vs Washington Capitals 

Totals: Highest 6 DK 6 FD 6 

Having alternated wins and losses over their last six games the Washington Capitals (23-10-9) welcome in the Vegas Golden Knights (24-15-2) and attempt to win back to back games for the first time this month. Capitals games have 6 or more totals goals in six of their last nine.  

Just like it has been for nearly two decades the Washington offense is still elite, ranking 6^th in SCF (955, 22.73/game) and 9^th in HDF (280, 6.66/game). Even with just an ordinary amount of PPO (122, 2.9/game) the Caps possess a hefty shot volume (1326, 31.57/game) which pairs nicely with their pristine shooting percentage (8.6% 7^th). 

Not quite as exciting as their offensive numbers Washington’s defense is still prone to being pushed around and allowing opposing offenses to put up solid numbers. They rank 13^th in SCA (875, 20.83/game) and 11^th in HDA (268, 6.38/game). An above average save percentage (.927 9^th) paired with a suppressed amount of shots against (1186, 28.23/game) does limit their opposition’s potential. While a lack of PPOA (110, 2.61/game) highlights their team discipline. 

After finishing up an eight game home stand the Knights begin a four game road trip tonight. Four of Vegas’ last six games featured 6+ goals. 

As they have been all season the Knights continue to be one of the best offenses regardless of who’s in or out of the lineup. With top five rankings in both SCF 4^th (986, 24.04/game) and HDF 1^st (349, 8.51/game) Vegas is dangerous regardless of the situation. A few more PPO (105, 2.56/game) would be nice but their lethal shooting percentage (8.4 9^th) and exorbitant shot volume (1412, 34.43/game) can’t be disputed. 

The Knights defense is essentially a mirror image of their offense, they don’t find themselves down a man often, PPOA (111, 2.7/game), but that’s the end of the positives for their defensive game. They rank 10^th in SCA (904, 22.04/game) and 5^th in HDA (305, 7.43/game). Vegas does manage to slightly control the amount of shots against (1221, 29.78/game) but the sieve like save percentage (.915 27^th) their goalies provide does little to help them out. 

With the offensive skill these teams bring into this game there was likely to be plenty of offensive fireworks no matter what. However the lowly level of defensive play simply adds more fuel to the fire, setting this game up to go off tonight.

Dave Leonard is our Lead Fantasy Writer at HW Hockey
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