The NHL rolls out a 12-game slate on Saturday, providing us with a myriad of ways to get some skin in the game. I’m heading the DFS route this evening, where I’ve locked in this nine-man unit over at DraftKings.
This roster is playable in the classic $50,000 salary format for games starting at 7:00 p.m. ET or later (8 games). I’ve also included each player’s price at FanDuel.
Here’s 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: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (EDM) | $5,600 DK, $7,500 FD
Let’s start with the Battle of Alberta, where the Oilers are looking for their third win in three tries against the Flames this year. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins has picked up a pair of assists in the two previous games. He’s now up to 50 points (15G, 35A) on the year, which makes him fifth on Edmonton’s roster. “RNH” and the Oilers should find success against this pedestrian Flames defense that’s conceding 2.89 goals per game (15th).
C2: Colton Sissons (NSH) | $3,600 DK, $5,200 FD
I almost always play an opponent of the Sharks when they take the ice. I’ll look to make a value play on Colton Sissons tonight as the Preds take on the Sharks out west. The second-line center is putting together a solid season, sitting fifth on Nashville’s roster in scoring (15G, 14A). He’s coming off a three-point night (1G, 2A) in a 4-1 win over the Kings on Thursday. I expect Sissons to find success against this San Jose defense that’s dead last defensively (3.58 GAA).
W1: Jared McCann (SEA) | $5,400 DK, $6,600 FD
I was between Oliver Bjorkstrand ($4,700 DK) and Jared McCann tonight for my top winger, but I’ll pay the premium, considering McCann is on an absolute tear right now. He has 10 points (5G, 5A) in six games this month and 23 points (11G, 12A) over his last 16 games. McCann holds the team lead in points, goals and SOG (142). He’ll also look to score on Marc-Andre Fleury tonight, who owns a .897 SV% (37th) this year.
W2: Quinton Byfield (LA) | $4,600 DK, $5,600 FD
I’ll ride with Quinton Byfield tonight as the Kings look to get back in the win column. Their offense should find success against this Ducks defense that’s 29th in the NHL (3.36 GAA). Byfield is sneakily putting together a great season, coming in with 42 points on 18 goals and 24 helpers. This month, he has seven points (4G, 3A) in seven games. I think there’s a great chance Byfield lights the lamp tonight in this crosstown rivalry.
W3: Ivan Barbashev (VGK) | $3,700 DK, $4,400 FD
I have a trio of Golden Knights on my roster tonight as they square off against the Senators in Canada’s capital city. I’ll start with Ivan Barbashev, who’s currently fifth on Vegas’ roster in scoring (13G, 21A). The Russian winger has been playing well recently, registering four points (4A) over his last six games. He makes a great depth option, considering he’ll be matching up against an Ottawa defense that’s 30th overall (3.39 GAA).
D1: Shea Theodore (VGK) | $6,100 DK, $7,000 FD
My second Golden Knight is Shea Theodore, who’s fresh off an injury. In two games back, the veteran D-man already has three points (3A). Despite playing in just 22 games this season, Theodore is ninth on the team in scoring (4G, 17A), and he’s nearly putting up a point per game. Eleven of his points (2G, 9A) have come on the man advantage, and this Vegas PP should light it up against the 28th-ranked Ottawa penalty kill (74.85%).
D2: Charlie McAvoy (BOS) | $5,800 DK, $7,300 FD
I’ll play Charlie McAvoy as my second defenseman tonight. He has been playing well over the last two weeks, racking up seven points (2G, 5A) in his last six games. McAvoy didn’t score in the 4-0 win over the Canucks earlier this month, but I can see him breaking into the scoring column this time around. Vancouver’s hasn’t been great recently, as they’re on an 0-4-0 run, allowing 5.5 goals per game.
G: Juuse Saros (NSH) | $8,400 DK, $8,300 FD
I’ll take the low-hanging fruit and play Juuse Saros tonight in-net. The 28-year-old has been exceptional in his last two starts, going 2-0-0 while posting a .954 SV%. It’ll likely be an easy task for Saros tonight as he takes on the Sharks in San Jose. The Sharks rank dead last in overall offense (2.1 GPG) and 23rd on the power play (17.29%). Nashville needs these two points to stay in the playoff hunt, so I expect Saros to turn in a big outing.
UTIL: Jonathan Marchessault (VGK) | $6,800 DK, $7,800 FD
Let’s round out our roster with Jonathan Marchessault. “Marchy” is coming off a big performance in a losing effort to the Maple Leafs (7-3), where he added a goal and an assist. The winger has amassed 46 points (29G, 17A) this season, which puts him behind only Mark Stone (16G, 37A) on the roster. He is the team’s leader in goals scored, as well as SOG (194). Look for Marchessault to stay hot against this abysmal Ottawa defense.
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