We have a huge night in the NHL on the horizon as all 32 teams are set to take the ice. That offers a myriad of betting and daily fantasy options. In this article, I’m focusing on the latter, where I’ve put together this nine-man roster in DraftKings Classic $50,000 salary competition. This lineup will apply to the final 13 games in the NHL tonight, and I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel as well.
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Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
Lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Jesperi Kotkaniemi ($4,200 DK, $5,700 FD)
This lineup features two Hurricanes tonight, and that’s due to the fact that they’re taking on the Vasilevskiy-less Lightning. The Bolts have struggled without their elite goaltender as they’re currently 26th in goals against per game (3.7 GAA). In terms of expected goals against per 60 minutes, Tampa owns the fourth-highest mark of 3.6.
While we typically think of Carolina as a defensive-minded team, that hasn’t been the case this season. All six of their games have seen at least eight goals. We should be in for some fireworks tonight in Tampa, and I’ll ride with Jesperi Kotkaniemi as a relatively cheap option. The second-line center enters tonight’s game with seven points (3G, 4A) to go along with 15 SOG.
C2: Tommy Novak ($3,900 DK, $4,800 FD)
Only time will tell if third-line center Tommy Novak will continue to dominate at this efficient pace. Despite getting an average of just 14:11 TOI/G, the centerman has notched a team-leading four goals. What’s interesting is that he’s not even shooting at an insane rate. Novak only has 13 SOG, but he boasts a 30.8% shooting percentage.
The Preds will host the Canucks tonight, who are a bit shaky on the defensive end of the ice. Vancouver comes into tonight’s action with the fifth-highest expected goals against per 60 minutes rate, sitting at 3.6. This will be another opportunity for Novak to stay hot on his home ice.
W1: Kevin Fiala ($6,000 DK, $5,900 FD)
The Kings gear up to host the Coyotes tonight, and it should be an interesting Western Conference showdown. While Arizona has been really sound defensively thus far, there’s one area where you can exploit them: their penalty kill.
The Yotes are just 28th on the PK this season, shutting down opposing man-advantage opportunities at a 68.8% rate. Kevin Fiala owns a spot on the top PP, and he has one power-play assist so far. The winger also leads the squad with seven points (7A). I like Fiala’s chances to contribute to a goal tonight.
W2: Evan Rodrigues ($5,100 DK, $5,800 FD)
The other game where I have multiple players from one team is the Panthers. Why? Well, they’re hosting the abysmal Sharks tonight in Sunrise. San Jose comes into this contest with the worst expected goals against per 60 minutes rate of 4.13. They’re also ninth in high-danger shots against, with 22.
I’ll look to play Evan Rodrigues quite a bit as long as he remains at this inexpensive price. The Florida newcomer is second on the team in points with seven (2G, 5A), trailing only Sam Reinhart. He’s slotting in on the top line alongside the crafty Aleksander Barkov, and he also gets time on the top power play. The winger is not afraid to rip shots on goal as he has 21, which is tied with Matthew Tkachuk for the team lead.
W3: James van Riemsdyk ($4,900 DK, $5,300 FD)
One of the most exciting matchups that I’m excited to take advantage of tonight is the Bruins’ offense against the Blackhawks’ defense. The Hawks are the third-worst team in terms of expected goals against per 60 minutes, at 4.0. They’re also the worst team when it comes to allowing high-danger shots (34).
James van Riemsdyk comes into tonight’s game as the third-highest scorer on the Bruins, notching four points (3G, 1A) over five games. The winger has seen three of his four points come on the power play, where he slots in alongside the likes of David Pastrnak and Brad Marchand. This is great value for van Riemsdyk against a Chicago club that’s going to have some growing pains this season.
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D1: Jaccob Slavin ($4,100 DK, $5,500 FD)
The other Hurricane that I’m locking in is Jaccob Slavin. All the defenseman has done this season is lead all of his peers in scoring (3G, 4A). Yep, Slavin’s the top-scoring defenseman in the NHL right now.
He’s getting 19:05 of ice time per game, and apparently making the most of it. Slavin slots in on the top defensive pair and also occupies a spot on the second power play, giving us a chance to double up with Kotkaniemi.
D2: Oliver Ekman-Larsson ($4,800 DK, $4,700 FD)
Oliver Ekman-Larsson trails only his other half, Gustav Forsling, in terms of time on ice for the Panthers (24:56 vs. 24:49). However, OEL is the more offensive-minded player of the defensive pair, leading the way in SOG (14 vs. 5) and points (2 vs. 0). Ekman-Larsson runs point on the top power-play unit, so he should have some opportunities to contribute to goals tonight.
G: Alexandar Georgiev ($8,100 DK, $8,500 FD)
There isn’t a ton of value to be found in the goaltending category tonight, so I’ll ride with Alexandar Georgiev of the Avalanche. The netminder is on fire this season, going 5-0-0 with a 1.57 GAA and 0.943 SV%.
He’ll have a favorable matchup against an Islanders team that has managed just 12 high-danger shots this year (third-fewest). In terms of overall offense, the Isles are the fourth-lowest team in terms of expected goals per 60 minutes (2.72). Look for the Avalanche to stay hot against a pedestrian New York team.
UTIL: Leon Draisaitl ($8,800 DK, $10,200 FD)
Finally, I’ll splurge on the UTIL position tonight and take Leon Draisaitl against the Wild. The Wild have been a great defensive team over the last few years, but that hasn’t been the case to start the new campaign. They’re actually the third-worst team in terms of goals against per game (3.8). Minnesota is also the seventh-worst organization in expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.6).
Even with Connor McDavid sidelined, there’s still a ton of offensive talent on this Edmonton roster. That obviously includes Leon Draisaitl, who leads the club with nine points (4G, 5A) so far. The centerman already has five power-play points (3G, 2A) through five games. Look for Draisaitl to take on an even bigger role in McDavid’s absence.
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