We have a massive sports day today, featuring college bowl games, NFL action, college hoops, NBA and, of course, a huge NHL slate with 26 teams hitting the ice today.
Games get started as early as 2:00 p.m. ET. I’m putting together a DFS hockey lineup today, which features players from the final 12 games of the day (7:00 p.m. ET window). This lineup can be played in the classic DraftKings $50,000 Salary format. I’ve also listed prices for each player at FanDuel.
Let’s dive into who I believe will have a big night on the ice.
Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
Lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Leon Draisaitl ($8,200 DK, $9,400 FD)
The Edmonton Oilers had their eight-game win streak snapped last time out, losing a 7-4 barnburner to the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning. The offense wasn’t at fault in that one. Over the 8-1 run, Edmonton is averaging 5.4 goals per game. I’ll go ahead and lock in Draisaitl, who has racked up 33 points (12G, 21A) this season. He’s a part of this vaunted power play that has climbed to fourth in the league, scoring on 29.03% of their opportunities. We should be in for a ton of goals as the Oilers host a surging Panthers squad.
C2: Dawson Mercer ($3,800 DK, $4,800 FD)
I believe Mercer is a great value option at center. His New Jersey Devils make the trip to Ohio to square off against the Columbus Blue Jackets. This is a Columbus side that’s 27th in goals against per game (3.26). They’re also 31st in expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.64). Mercer’s up to 11 points (7G, 4A) on the year, and three of those goals have come on the power play.
W1: Jason Robertson ($6,200 DK, $7,000 FD)
The Dallas Stars offense has been on fire in the past two games, out-scoring the Detroit Red Wings and Ottawa Senators by a combined 11-7 margin. Robertson picked up three points (1G, 2A) during the two-game sample size, bringing him to 27 total points (9G, 18A) on the year. He now has seven points (3G, 4A) in seven games this month, so it’s safe to say he’s heating up. Dallas takes on St. Louis Blues tonight, who are 27th in expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.43).
W2: Tyler Seguin ($4,500 DK, $5,500 FD)
I’ll also take Seguin tonight, who has a pair of apples over the two-game win streak. The winger is up to 20 total points (9G, 11A), and he has the third-highest shooting percentage (17.0%) on the team. He’s getting plenty of playing time on this stacked roster, logging 16:32 TOI/G this year. Look for Seguin to make his way onto the scoresheet against a Blues team that has allowed 22 goals in its last five games (4.4 GAA).
W3: Johnny Gaudreau ($4,100 DK, $4,900 FD)
Coming back to the Devils vs. Blue Jackets game, I’m going to ride with Johnny Hockey tonight. The winger scored in Thursday’s 6-5 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs, bringing him to 16 total points (5G, 11A). I’m anticipating another high-scoring affair as the Jackets host a Devils side that’s giving up 3.19 goals per game (22nd). This is a great breakout spot for Gaudreau against a pedestrian New Jersey defense.
D1: Erik Karlsson ($5,700 DK, $6,500 FD)
We’ve all heard by now that the Pittsburgh Penguin’s power play hasn’t been clicking this year. Well, they may be finding their footing as they’ve gone 4-8 (50%) over the last two games. Karlsson has contributed during the two-game win streak, adding a pair of assists. He’s up to 21 total points, courtesy of six goals and 15 assists. The Pens take their upward-trending power play to Toronto, where they’ll square off against the 18th-ranked PK of the Maple Leafs (79.27%). Look for Karlsson to have his hand in another goal tonight.
D2: Mikhail Sergachev ($5,400 DK, $5,800 FD)
The Tampa Bay Lightning are looking to build on their 7-4 victory against the Oilers on Thursday. They remain in Alberta, this time heading south to Calgary to take on the Flames. Mikhail Sergachev added an assist for the second straight game on Thursday, and I think he’ll have a great opportunity to strike again for the Bolts tonight. Calgary’s just 25th in goals against per game (3.23). Sergachev is constantly on the ice, racking up 23:33 of TOI/G this year. He’s up to 19 total points on two goals and 17 helpers.
G: Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7,800 DK, $7,800 FD)
Keeping it in the same game, I’ll also ride with Vasilevskiy as my netminder tonight. The 29-year-old has been decent since returning from injury, going 5-4-0 with a 2.89 GAA and .902 SV%. This’ll be a favorable matchup against a Calgary side that has the 12th-lowest expected goals per 60 minutes rate (2.95). The Flames are also riding a four-game losing streak, and they’ve dropped six of their last seven games.
UTIL: J.T. Compher ($4,300 DK, $5,600 FD)
Let’s round out our lineup with Compher. The centerman is set to return from injury tonight, and he’ll have an elevated role as he steps in for Dylan Larkin. This will slot him in on the top line, playing next to Patrick Kane and Michael Rasmussen. Compher’s up to 19 points (6G, 13A). I think he could break out against an over-performing Flyers squad.
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