The NHL season churns ahead tonight, and there is no shortage of ways to get some skin in the game. I’m heading the daily fantasy sports (DFS) route today, where I’ve narrowed in on this nine-man roster over at DraftKings. This lineup fits the classic $50,000 salary format, and I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel.

Here’s 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: John Tavares (TOR) | $7,200 DK, $8,900 FD

My most expensive player tonight is John Tavares. Nowadays, it seems like any time the Sharks are taking the ice, I need to include at least one of their opponents. Tonight, I have two Maple Leafs as Toronto looks to beat San Jose for the second time in a row.

Tavares recorded three points (1G, 2A) during the Leafs’ three-game road trip, which includes an assist in the 4-1 win against the Sharks. This will be another favorable matchup for Toronto’s forwards, as San Jose is dead last in the NHL defensively (3.83 GAA). I like for Tavares (12G, 22A) to make his way onto the scoresheet.

C2: Nazem Kadri (CGY) | $6,000 DK, $6,900 FD

I have a pair of Flames in my lineup tonight as they host the floundering Senators. Ottawa is in the midst of a five-game road trip, where they’re 0-3-0 and have been out-scored 13-5. I’ll lock in Calgary’s top scorer, Nazem Kadri. The centerman leads the team with 30 points (13G 17A), and he has been ripping pucks on net, amassing 131 shots on goal (SOG). I have a great feeling about Kadri lighting the lamp against this 30th-ranked Ottawa defense (3.49 GAA).

W1: Jared McCann (SEA) | $4,800 DK, $5,900 FD

I have two Kraken wingers on my squad tonight. Seattle takes on Buffalo, who is just 25th in the league defensively (3.23 GAA). They’re also 22nd on the penalty kill (78.40%). This seems like a great time to lock in Seattle’s top goalscorer, Jared McCann. The winger has lit the lamp 14 times, bringing him to 22 total points. He’s second in SOG (96), and he also has nine power-play points (6G, 3A).

W2: Andrew Mangiapane (CGY) | $3,800 DK, $4,200 FD

I’ll also ride with Kadri’s teammate, Andrew Mangiapane. The winger has been on a tear over the last two weeks, amassing seven points (2G, 3A) in his last five games. The recent outburst brings him to 24 points (8G, 16A) on the year. As I mentioned above, the Sens have been horrendous defensively, so I feel confident that Mangiapane will have his hand in a goal tonight.

W3: Tyler Bertuzzi (TOR) | $3,400 DK, $4,300 FD

The other Maple Leaf I’ll play tonight is Tyler Bertuzzi. The winger is stuck on 98 career goals, and he’ll have a big opportunity to get at least one tonight. Bertuzzi added a pair of assists in the recent win over San Jose, moving him up to 18 points (6G, 12A) on the year. Look for the 28-year-old to inch closer to the 100-goal mark in his home province of Ontario.

D1: Josh Morrissey (WPG) | $6,600 DK, $7,500 FD

My top D-man tonight is Josh Morrissey. The Jets are squaring off against the Blue Jackets, who have struggled all season on the defensive end. They’re 29th defensively, allowing 3.39 goals per game. I’ll ride with Winnipeg’s top-scoring defenseman, who had 30 points on six goals and 24 helpers.

D2: Drew Doughty (LA) | $5,600 DK, $5,900 FD

The Kings are riding a five-game losing streak, and they’ll look to turn things around in Florida tonight as they square off against the Lightning. Tampa still hasn’t found its footing defensively, as they’re 26th, allowing 3.24 goals per game.

This seems like a great breakout spot for Los Angeles’ offense tonight so I’ll play Drew Doughty in my lineup. The veteran D-man leads the Kings’ defensemen in scoring (7G, 13A), and he’s also the team leader in TOI/G (26:03). Good things happen when you’re on the ice, and Doughty is nearly logging half of a game at this point in his career.

G: Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) | $8,300 DK, $8,600 FD

The Jets are on fire right now as they’ve rattled off six straight wins. They have allowed two goals or fewer in each of those contests. Connor Hellebuyck is 4-0-0 during the stretch, allowing just seven goals while posting a SV% of .939. Winnipeg hosts a Columbus team tonight that’s just 22nd in scoring (3.0 GPG). I think Hellebuyck and the Jets stonewall the Blue Jackets in front of their home crowd.

UTIL: Eeli Tolvanen (SEA) | $4,300 DK, $5,600 FD

I’ll round out my roster with Eeli Tolvanen of the Seattle Kraken. The winger has three points (1G, 2A) in his last two games, bringing him to 24 points (10G, 14A) on the year. That’s good enough for third on the team in scoring. He’s also third in SOG (81) and boasts a 12.3% shooting percentage. I think Tolvanen stays hot against this unstructured Buffalo defense.

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