The NHL returns with a bang tonight, offering up a huge 14-game slate. I’m heading the DFS route for the big return, where I’ve narrowed in on this nine-man unit for the classic $50,000 salary format at DraftKings. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel.
Let’s dive into who I believe has a great chance to light the lamp tonight!
Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: William Karlsson (VGK) | $5,500 DK, $7,100 FD
While most of the bad media coverage makes its way to San Jose or Chicago, Anaheim isn’t much better than either of those squads, coming in with just 24 points. I’ll fade the Ducks tonight by locking in William Karlsson. Vegas has been having some defensive problems recently, which leads me to believe the Knights will need their offense to step up in a big way tonight. I’ll take “Wild Bill” to have his hand in a goal. He’s third on the team in both points (14G, 16A) and shots on goal (SOG) with 87.
C2: Phillip Danault (LA) | $4,400 DK, $5,800 FD
Keeping it out west, I’ll go to the Sharks vs. Kings game in Los Angeles. When the Sharks take the ice, I have to lock in an opposing player or two. Tonight, I’ll go with Phillip Danault as a relatively cheap option at center. The second-line center has put up 20 points this year courtesy of seven goals and 13 assists. This is a great breakout opportunity for Danault as his club takes on the worst defense in the league (3.85 GAA).
W1: Brad Marchand (BOS) | $6,800 DK, $7,600 FD
My top winger tonight is Brad Marchand. The B’s take on the Sabres, who have been a very underwhelming bunch this year. That’s especially true for their defense, which is 28th overall, allowing 3.34 goals per game. Boston’s a much more fundamental team, so they should take advantage and hammer Buffalo tonight. I’ll ride with Marchand (13G, 15A), who trails only David Pastrnak (44 points) in scoring.
W2: Troy Terry (ANA) | $5,200 DK, $5,200 FD
The other player I’ll take from the Knights/Ducks game is Troy Terry. As I was alluding to above, Vegas has been struggling defensively. They’ve lost their last three games, allowing 15 goals (5.0 GAA) over the three-game slide. This seems like a great time to lock Terry into our lineup. He’s second on the team in both scoring (8G, 13A) and SOG (81).
W3: Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ) | $4,200 DK, $5,100 FD
I have a pair of Blue Jackets in tonight’s game against the Devils. First, it’s Johnny Gaudreau. The winger has been a mainstay in my lineup recently. He’s on fire, riding a five-game point streak (2G, 5A). That has brought him up to second on the team in scoring with 22 points (6G, 16A). He’ll be a threat to score tonight against a New Jersey squad that’s still just 27th defensively (3.25 GAA).
D1: Moritz Seider (DET) | $5,700 DK, $6,400 FD
Moritz Seider continues to develop into a serviceable defenseman for the Red Wings. He’s putting together a good month, collecting eight points (2G, 8A) over 12 games. That brings him up to 22 points (5G, 17A), fifth on the team and second amongst d-men in the NHL (Shayne Gostisbehere, 25). The Wings square off against the Wild tonight, who are still just 30th overall on the penalty kill (72.17%). I like Seider to contribute to a goal tonight.
D2: Zach Werenski (CBJ) | $5,700 DK, $6,900 FD
The other Blue Jacket I’m locking in is defenseman Zach Werenski. The d-man leads Columbus with 25 points (1G, 24A), and five of those helpers have come on the power play. I like Werenski because he’s seemingly always on the ice (24:27 TOI/G). He’s also second on the team in SOG with 87. Being on the ice and constantly shooting pucks at this underwhelming defense makes this a favorable matchup for Werenski.
G: Ilya Sorokin (NYI) | $7,900 DK, $7,900 FD
The Islanders welcome in the underwhelming Penguins tonight for a Metropolitan Division clash. I will ride with Ilya Sorokin tonight as a surprisingly cheap goaltending option. His numbers aren’t dominant, with a 10-4-7 record with a 3.09 GAA and .914 SV%, but this is a great matchup. He’ll take on a Penguins side that’s just 26th in scoring (2.8 GPG) and 27th on the power play (13.73%). Look for Sorokin to turn in a big night in-net.
UTIL: Nino Niederreiter (WPG) | $4,800 DK, $6,300 FD
Finally, I’ll round out tonight’s lineup with Nino Niederreiter of the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets are on fire recently, going 8-1-1 in their last 10 games. The offense has been clicking, as they’ve won seven of those games by two-plus goals. Niederreiter is currently sixth on the team in scoring (10G, 10A), and he’ll take on the lowly Blackhawks. Chicago’s just 31st overall defensively, allowing 3.52 goals per game.
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