The NHL rolls out an 11-game slate tonight, which means there’s no shortage of ways to get in on the action. I’m heading the DFS route in this article, where I’ve assembled a nine-man roster over at DraftKings. This lineup is playable in the classic $50,000 salary format. 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: Nico Hischier (NJ) | $5,300 DK, $6,400 FD
The Devils make the trip to Nashville tonight to take on the Predators. The Preds bring in a pedestrian defense that ranks 15th overall, surrendering 2.94 goals per game. They’re also just 27th on the penalty kill, sitting at 75.90%.
I’ll lock in Nico Hischier, who is having a decent season, ranking fourth on the team in scoring (14G, 19A). The centerman has gotten some time on the power play, where he has added nine more points (4G, 5A). Playing alongside Ondrej Palat (8G) and Jesper Bratt (20G) should offer Hischier a few chances to add an assist tonight. This Devils squad ranks first in the league in 5-on-5 high-danger shots (142), so they’re always a threat to score.
C2: Josh Norris (OTT) | $4,500 DK, $6,200 FD
The highest betting total on the board tonight comes in the Blue Jackets vs. Senators game. It sits at 7.0 goals as of this morning. I’ll have three players from this game in my lineup tonight. First, it’s Josh Norris. The first-line center is putting together a solid season, adding 25 points on 13 goals and 12 helpers. However, I love this matchup for Norris against a Columbus defense that’s 30th overall (3.41 GAA) and 26th on the PK (76.71%). There should be plenty of scoring in Ottawa tonight and I expect Norris to make his way onto the score sheet.
W1: Brock Boeser (VAN) | $6,800 DK, $7,700 FD
I’ll lock in Brock Boeser as my top winger tonight. The Canuck is having another great season, sitting fourth on the team in scoring (30G, 24A). His 30 tucks are the most on the team and he’s also second in shots on goal (SOG) with 139. I think Vancouver will steamroll this lowly Chicago team and I expect Boeser to have a big night. The Hawks are just 28th defensively, conceding 3.31 goals per game.
W2: Teuvo Teravainen (CAR) | $4,300 DK, $5,000 FD
The Hurricanes take on the Stars in Dallas tonight. Dallas fans are used to seeing a barrage of scoring as they’re the league’s best team to the over at home this year, going 21-5 to the over. I think we see a lot of scoring in this cross-conference matchup, and I’ll ride with Teuvo Teravainen to score. The winger is fourth on the team in scoring (16G, 18A) and he has 96 SOG through 51 games. Teravainen has registered five points (5A) through three games this month. Look for him to stay hot in Dallas tonight.
W3: Johnny Gaudreau (CBJ) | $4,200 DK, $5,000 FD
The first of two Blue Jackets on tonight’s roster is Johnny Gaudreau. The winger leads the team in scoring (7G, 27A) and he’s fourth in SOG (101). Johnny Hockey takes on a Sens side that cannot keep the puck out of their net, especially on the penalty kill. They’re just 28th on the PK, killing only 74.34% of opposing man-advantage opportunities. There’s a solid chance Gaudreau lights the lamp tonight, or at least adds an assist or two.
D1: Roman Josi (NSH) | $7,300 DK, $8,000 FD
Typically I don’t love to pay this type of price for a defenseman, but that rule has exceptions. For example, when you’re playing a New Jersey team that’s 26th defensively (3.18 GAA) and 17th on the penalty kill (79.87%), I’ll bypass the rule. Give me Roman Josi, who’s nearly a point-per-game guy this season with 47 points (11G, 36A) in 52 games. 19 of those points (6G, 13A) have come via the power play. This game could get a little loose tonight in Nashville, and Josi’s a prime candidate to register a couple of points.
D2: Ivan Provorov (CBJ) | $4,000 DK, $4,600 FD
Ivan Provorov (4G, 19A) trails only Zach Werenski (1G, 28A) in scoring among Columbus’ defensive core. He’s logging the second-most minutes per night, averaging 22:35 of TOI/G. This will be a favorable matchup for Provorov as his Blue Jackets take on an Ottawa squad that’s 31st defensively (3.46 GAA). They’re also 28th in 5-on-5 goals allowed (117), which is likely where Provorov would do his damage.
G: Thatcher Demko (VAN) | $8,500 DK, $8,600 FD
I was between either Thatcher Demko or Sam Montembeault for my goaltender, but at just $400 more, it makes sense to ride with the better netminder with the better matchup. Demko has been on fire this season, leading the league in wins with his 28-9-1 record. He’s also 10th in GAA (2.45) and sixth in SV% (.919).
Demko takes on a Chicago squad that’s completely floundering without Connor Bedard. The Blackhawks managed three goals in a 4-3 loss to the Rangers last time out, but that was only the third time they’ve scored three-plus goals in their last 17 games.
UTIL: Troy Terry (ANA) | $5,100 DK, $6,200 FD
I’ll round out my roster with Troy Terry as my util-man. The Ducks take on the Canadiens tonight in a contest filled with youthful players. The Habs have struggled defensively this season, ranking 29th in overall defense (3.35 GAA) and 30th on the PK (73.91%). Terry’s second on the team in both scoring (15G, 22A) and SOG (118). I’m not expecting a ton of scoring in this matchup, but Terry’s an opportunistic winger who is always looking to score. He can easily bury one against this Habs defense that has allowed the sixth-most high-danger shots during 5-on-5 play (120).
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