We have a massive sports day on Saturday, which includes 14 games of NHL action on the schedule. I’m heading the DFS route today, where I’ve crafted this nine-man lineup at DraftKings. This lineup is playable in the classic $50,000 salary format for games starting at 7:00 p.m. ET. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel.
Let’s dive into who I anticipate having a big night on the ice.
Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Dawson Mercer (NJ) | $4,300 DK/$5,600 FD
I have four players in my lineup from tonight’s Devils vs. Lightning game. The total for this game is 6.5 goals, with heavy juice to the over. We should be in for a ton of scoring.
I’ll take Dawson Mercer to have his hand in at least one goal. He’s sixth on New Jersey in scoring (13G, 10A) while sitting at fifth in shots on goal (SOG) with 83. The Bolts have allowed the fourth-highest high-danger shots (113) when playing 5-on-5, so look for the Devils to have plenty of opportunities to score.
C2: Anthony Cirelli (TB) | $4,100 DK/$5,500 FD
In the same category, the Devils have allowed 101 high-danger shots, which is the 13th-most in the NHL. However, they’re just 26th in terms of overall defense, allowing 3.24 goals per game. My first Tampa player is Anthony Cirelli, who is currently seventh on the team in scoring (10G, 14A). The depth centerman has been hot recently, racking up seven points (2G, 5A) in his past five games.
W1: Mark Stone (VGK) | $5,700 DK/$7,700 FD
Stone’s quietly putting together another great season, where he leads the Golden Knights in scoring (15G, 34A). The Knights take on the Red Wings, who are just 22nd defensively (3.06 GAA). With Jack Eichel sidelined, we can expect Stone to take an even bigger role in the offense. I think we’re in for a barnburner in Motown tonight, so I’ll take Stone to get in on the scoring action.
W2: Michael Bunting (CAR) | $3,900 DK/$5,200 FD
The Canes host the Yotes tonight, and this should be a favorable matchup for Carolina. They’re tasked with scoring on an Arizona team that has surrendered 12 goals in its two recent games against the Panthers and the Lightning. The recent stretch has dropped them to 16th in defensive scoring (2.94 GAA). I’ll ride with Bunting as a cheap option at wing. He’s third on the Canes in scoring (10G, 21A) and also has 14 power-play points (5G, 9A). I lean toward the Canes lighting up the scoreboard tonight, so I think Bunting is a valuable depth choice.
W3: Nick Paul (TB) | $3,700 DK/$5,300 FD
I’ll also be playing Cirelli’s linemate, Nick Paul. This will give us a chance to double up on scoring if the two can combine for a goal. Paul sits right above Cirelli on the score sheet, where has registered 24 points (10G, 14A) this season. I’m expecting the Lightning to put up big numbers against this Devils side that has allowed 32 goals over its last nine games (3.6 GAA).
D1: Victor Hedman (TB) | $6,300 DK/$7,600 FD
I didn’t want to splurge on one of the big dogs, like Nikita Kucherov or Brayden Point, but I will take Tampa’s top d-man tonight. Victor Hedman is putting together another excellent season, amassing 47 points (9G, 38A). He’s still running point on the power play, where he has picked up 21 points (4G, 17A). Hedman’s also fifth on the team in SOG (99).
D2: Sean Durzi (ARI) | $5,400 DK/$6,900 FD
The Coyotes continue their road trip tonight, and their next stop is Raleigh to take on the Hurricanes. Sean Durzi scored in Thursday’s 6-3 loss to the Lightning, which gives him three points (1G, 2A) in his past four games. This brings the defenseman up to 28 points (8G, 20A) on the year. He’s logging 22:16 TOI/G and he’s eighth in SOG (74). Carolina’s defense has gotten better but they’re still a pedestrian 12th in goals against per game (2.83).
G: Jacob Markstrom (CGY) | $8,400 DK/$7,700 FD
I’m going to take the low-hanging fruit tonight and fade this abysmal Chicago offense as they close out their four-game west coast road trip. They’ve scored just two goals in three games on the current road trip, going 0-3 as well. The Blackhawks have scored two or fewer goals in 12 of their last 14 games. Look for Jacob Markstrom, who enters at 13-13-2 with a 2.69 GAA and .909 SV%, to turn in a big night.
UTIL: Sidney Crosby (PIT) |$8,200 DK/$9,400 FD
I’ll round out my lineup with the great Crosby. The veteran centerman has amassed 49 points this season on 27 goals and 22 helpers. He and the Pens will take on a Canadiens team that’s 28th in both overall defense (3.31 GAA) and on the penalty kill (73.10%). It’s also confirmed that the Habs will go with Jake Allen in net. He’s just 5-9-2 with a 3.46 GAA and .900 SV%. I expect Crosby to have a massive night.
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