The NHL offers up a nine-game slate tonight, which means there are a ton of different ways to get in on the action. I’m heading the daily fantasy sports (DFS) route with this article, where I’ve locked in this roster in a classic $50,000 salary competition at DraftKings (DK). I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel (FD).

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: Mika Zibanejad (NYR) | $6,400 DK, $8,400 FD

The Rangers wrap up a four-game west coast road trip tonight when they square off against the Sharks in San Jose. I’m heavy on New York tonight, which seems like it’ll be a decent strategy, considering they’re taking on the worst team in the league.

My top center is Mika Zibanejad, who is second on the Rangers in scoring (15G, 29A) this year. He’s also fifth in shots on goal (SOG) with 111. He gets plenty of power-play time, where the centerman has racked up 21 power-play points (7G, 14A). New York will have a favorable matchup against the worst penalty kill in the league (71.24%).

C2: Sean Monahan (MTL) | $4,200 DK, $5,400 FD

The other game I’ve narrowed in on is the Senators vs. Canadiens showdown in Montreal. The two sides just played on the 18th, where Ottawa prevailed 6-2. Sean Monahan added an assist in the game, and he has now notched at least one point (7A) in each of his four games. The centerman is up to 31 points (11G, 20A), 10 (2G, 8A) of which have come over 10 games in January. Monahan’s heating up, and he should have a great game against a Sens squad that’s 31st in both overall defense (3.52 GAA) and penalty killing (72.66%).

W1: Artemi Panarin (NYF) | $8,900 DK, $10,000 FD

Artemi Panarin is currently ranked fifth in the NHL in scoring with 62 points, so it’s safe to say he’s putting together an excellent campaign. This matchup against San Jose is another opportunity to light up the stat sheet. The Breadman has 28 goals and 34 assists, with nine and 19 of those points coming on the power play, respectively. San Jose is currently dead last in high-danger shots against (127) in five-on-five play, and Panarin’s a guy who will make you pay when you give him chances. I expect him to light the lamp at least once tonight against the Sharks.

W2: Alexis Lafreniere (NYR) | $4,600, $5,600 FD

My third Ranger is Alexis Lafreniere, and he’s putting together a decent season with 26 points (11G, 15A). He’s Panarin’s linemate, which will offer us opportunities to double up on scoring tonight. Lafreniere, despite not having the same point production as the above-mentioned Rangers, hasn’t been shy about shooting the puck. He’s third on the team in SOG with 119. This is a great breakout spot for the winger as he takes on a Sharks side that’s dead last in the league defensively (3.74 GAA).

W3: Vladimir Tarasenko (OTT) | $4,300 DK, $5,500 FD

I’ll be riding with Vladimir Tarasenko as a value option to round out my wingers. The veteran right-winger has been decent this year, racking up 31 points on 12 goals and 19 helpers. He scored in the 6-2 win last week, bringing him to nine points (6G, 3A) in 10 games this month. Tarasenko has an insane 27.3% shooting percentage this month, so look for him to be a threat against this mediocre Habs squad.

D1: Adam Fox (NYR) | $5,600 DK, $7,100 FD

I’ll also play New York’s top defenseman, Adam Fox. The d-man has accumulated 33 points (7G, 26A), with 20 of those points (3G, 17A) coming on the man-advantage. San Jose has the 11th-most penalty minutes (465) this season, so look for Fox to get a few chances to run point on the power play.

D2: Jakob Chychrun (OTT) | $5,400 DK, $6,700 FD

Right below Tarasenko on Ottawa’s stat sheet is Jakob Chychrun, who has 27 points (7G, 20A). He’s also fifth on the team in SOG (96). Like the above-mentioned Fox, Chychrun is also getting a ton of power-play time this year. That should bode well for the d-man, considering the Habs are 29th on the PK, killing off just 72.90% of opposing power plays. Neither of these defenses is good, which leads me to believe that we’ll see a ton of scoring tonight in Montreal. I’ll take Chychrun to get in on the scoring action.

G: Adin Hill (VGK) | $7,400 DK, $8,400 FD

I’ll lock in Adin Hill tonight in net as the Golden Knights square off against the Islanders in New York. Hill is expected to start, which will be his first action since December 17th. The goaltender has been excellent this season when healthy, going 10-2-2 with a 1.93 GAA (1st) and .933 SV% (1st). He’ll be tasked with slowing down a New York team that’s just 25th offensively (2.9 GPG). I think Hill can turn in a huge outing on his first night back.

UTIL: Anthony Mantha (WSH) | $3,200 DK, $4,400 FD

My util-man tonight is Washington’s Anthony Mantha. The right-winger has 19 points on the year, which have come courtesy of 12 goals and seven assists. The Caps take on the Wild tonight, and they’ve been one of the worst defenses in the league. Minnesota’s 25th defensively (3.24 GAA) and 30th on the PK (72.78%). This is very much a “moveable object vs. stoppable force” matchup with Minnesota’s defense against Washington’s 30th-ranked offense (2.3 GPG). I think this game opens up a bit, which should offer some chances for Mantha to register a goal.

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