The NHL season churns ahead on Saturday, as the league offers a 12-game slate. I’m heading the DFS route tonight, where I’ve narrowed in on this nine-man lineup over at DraftKings. This roster is playable in the classic $50,000 salary format for the later window of games (starting at 7:00 p.m. ET). I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel.
Let’s dive into who I believe will have 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: Leon Draisaitl (EDM) | $7,600 DK, $9,800 FD
Let’s start with my star player. Draisaitl is putting together another monster year, amassing 42 points (18G, 24A) over 35 games. He’s tied for second on the team in SOG (104) and he’s second amongst Edmonton’s forwards in TOI/G (21:06). Obviously, we all know how dynamic Draisaitl is. He should explode tonight against an Ottawa side that has been horrendous defensively. They’re 30th defensively (3.50 GAA) and rank dead last on the penalty kill (71.93%).
C2: Max Domi (TOR) | $3,000 DK, $4,500 FD
The Leafs’ west coast road trip continues tonight as their next stop is in San Jose to take on the Sharks. They’re 2-0 so far, beating Los Angeles (3-0) and Anaheim (2-1). Domi has an assist on the trip, bumping him up to four points (4A) in his last four games. The centerman enters this game with 22 points (3G, 19A), which is sixth on the team. With his role expanding, I think he’s a valuable option against this lousy Sharks side that’s dead last defensively (3.82 GAA).
W1: Tyler Toffoli (NJ) | $5,500 DK, $6,200 FD
The Devils found themselves in a war last night with the Blackhawks, where they eventually emerged victorious in a 4-2 affair. Toffoli lit the lamp, moving him to four points (2G, 2A) in his last four games. I think the veteran will play a big role tonight in the back-to-back situation, where they’ll take on the Canucks. Toffoli’s third on the team in both scoring (16G, 12A) and SOG (105). These high-flying offenses should be trading chances all night and I think Toffoli makes his way onto the scoresheet.
W2: Ryan Hartman (MIN) | $4,700 DK, $6,100 FD
The Wild haven’t been playing great recently, dropping their last four games. They’ll have a prime breakout opportunity tonight against a Blue Jackets squad that’s 29th defensively (3.38 GAA). So, I’ll take a shot with Hartman. His 11 goals are tied for third on the team, and he’s now up to 18 total points. I like the matchup against this underwhelming Columbus defense.
W3: Warren Foegele (EDM) | $4,000 DK, $5,000 FD
The second of three Oilers I’ll play is Foegele. The winger is seventh on the Oilers in scoring, registering 19 points (7G, 12A) this season. He’s also sixth in SOG (84), basically making him the “top B-level shooter” after the big dogs at the top of the lineup. Foegele was blanked against Philly (W, 5-2) last time out, but he went nuclear with five points (2G, 3A) the prior game against Anaheim. Considering Ottawa’s current defensive struggles, I’d relate them closer to Anaheim than Philadelphia. Foegele could have another big night tonight on his home sheet.
D1: Evan Bouchard (EDM) | $6,700 DK, $8,600 FD
Finally, I have to ride with Bouchard tonight. The Sens thought bringing in Jacques Martin would change the trajectory of their team. Well, it hasn’t worked. In eight games at the helm, Ottawa is allowing 4.38 goals per game. This is hardly a “get back on track” spot against an Oilers team that has won six straight games. Bouchard should have a big night tonight. He’s fourth on the team in scoring (9G, 27A) and runs the blue line on the top power play (4 PPG, 13 PPA).
D2: Brent Burns (CAR) | $4,400 DK, $5,900 FD
The other defenseman I’ll roll with tonight is Burns. The veteran d-man still runs the top power play, where 12 (3G, 9A) of his 23 points (8G, 15A) have come. The Hurricanes have a habit of turning a lot of their games into high-scoring barnburners. If that’s the case tonight against the Blues, Burns makes a solid second defenseman to notch a point or two.
G: Igor Shesterkin (NYR) | $8,200 DK, $8,800 FD
The Rangers hit the road tonight, heading to Montreal to square off against the Canadiens. New York is coming off a 4-1 win against Chicago on Thursday, a game where Shesterkin made 22 saves on 23 shot attempts (.957 SV%). He’s now up to 16-8-0 on the year with a 2.76 GAA and .908 SV%. This is a solid matchup against another mediocre offense. The Habs are just 27th in scoring this year, netting 2.7 goals per game.
UTIL: Matt Boldy (MIN) | $5,900 DK, $6,100 FD
I’ll round out tonight’s roster with Hartman’s teammate. Boldy is having a respectable season, racking up 21 points (11G, 10A) over 30 games. Five of those points (3G, 2A) have come on the power play. As I mentioned above, this is more about the matchup against a Columbus team that can’t keep the puck out of their net. I expect Minnesota’s offense to get back on track in this game.
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