The NHL is back in action after a thrilling All-Star Break! The league rolls out an eight-game slate tonight, which means there’s no shortage of ways to get some skin in the game.
I’m heading the DFS route tonight, where I’ve locked in this nine-man lineup over at DraftKings. This roster fits the classic $50,000 salary format, and I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel.
Here’s who I expect to 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: Matt Duchene (DAL) | $5,600 DK, $6,700 FD
The Stars open up the second half of the season in Buffalo, where they’ll square off against a mediocre Sabres squad. I’m locking in two players from Dallas’ second line, starting with centerman Matt Duchene. The veteran forward has found a resurgence this season, racking up 45 points on 17 goals and 28 helpers. He’s also fifth in shots on goals (SOG) with 102. We should see plenty of goals tonight in western New York, as Buffalo brings in the 21st-ranked defense (3.02 GAA).
C2: Jack Drury (CAR) | $3,000 DK, $3,900 FD
The Canes host the Canucks tonight in Raleigh, and there should be a decent amount of scoring in this cross-conference showdown. I’m adding Jack Drury to my lineup as a depth option. The center has 22 points (8G, 14A) through 48 games this season. He’s coming off a solid January, adding eight points (3G, 5A) in 11 games. I’m not expecting a hat trick or anything from Drury, but I think he’ll have a few opportunities to add a point.
W1: Mikko Rantanen (COL) | $8,600 DK, $9,600 FD
I’m splurging tonight at the wing position, locking in Mikko Rantanen. The star winger is putting together a great season, amassing 66 points (27G, 39A), with 30 of those (10G, 20A) coming on the power play. The Avs take on a Devils side that’s in shambles right now. They’re giving up 3.26 goals per game (27th) and killing just 78.38% of their penalties (20th). Colorado can’t leave points on the table tonight, so look for the big dogs on the top line to turn in great performances.
W2: Alex Tuch (BUF) | $5,600 DK, $6,600 FD
It has been an underwhelming season in Buffalo, but Alex Tuch is still putting together a productive campaign. He has played in 42 games, picking up 34 points (14G, 20A) along the way. That’s the third-best mark on the Sabres in terms of scoring, and he’s also sixth in SOG (107). The Sabres take on the Stars, the best “over team” in the league, seeing 32 of their 49 games go over the total. We should see plenty of goals in this one, and I’ll take Tuch to have his hand in at least one.
W3: Mason Marchment (DAL) | $3,900 DK, $5,400 FD
I’m pairing Mason Marchment with his linemate, Duchene. This will allow us to double up on points, which has happened so many times with these two this season. Marchment has lit the lamp 16 times this year, which brings him up to 37 total points (21A). Five of those points (4G, 1A) have come on the power play, and this will be a favorable matchup against Buffalo’s 16th-ranked penalty kill (80.00%).
D1: Quinn Hughes (VAN) | $7,000 DK, $8,100 FD
I have three players from the Canucks/Hurricanes game in my lineup tonight. The most expensive of the three is Quinn Hughes, the betting favorite (-145) to win the Norris Trophy. The 24-year-old has amassed 62 points on 12 goals and 50 helpers. He’s putting on a monster season, and he’s one of the main reasons Vancouver boasts the league’s best offense (3.8 GPG). The Canes are still finding their footing defensively as they’re just 12th in the league, surrendering 2.79 goals per contest. Hughes should have another solid night out east.
D2: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (FLA) | $3,300 DK, $4,200 FD
Florida’s defensive core is getting pretty crowded, with Aaron Ekblad and Brandon Montour back in the mix. However, Oliver Ekman-Larsson is still carving out plenty of ice time. He’s coming off a January where he averaged 16:09 TOI/G while racking up seven points (2G, 5A) in 13 games. “OEL” ripped seven SOG last time out against the Islanders, which brings him up to 80 on the year. He makes an excellent value play tonight against a pedestrian Flyers squad.
G: Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) | $8,000 DK, $8,600 FD
I’ll take Sergei Bobrovsky tonight in-net. The veteran goaltender comes into tonight’s game at 23-10-2 (the third-most wins) with a 2.51 GAA (eighth) and .910 SV% (19th). He just participated in the All-Star game festivities, so he should be locked in while most other netminders were on vacation. Additionally, Bobrovsky will go from slowing down shots against the league’s best skaters to stopping an underwhelming Philadelphia offense. The Flyers are 25th in scoring (2.9 GPG) and just 30th on the power play (13.29%). I think “Big Bob” turns in a masterpiece in-net tonight.
UTIL: Elias Lindholm (VAN) | $5,000 DK, $6,400 FD
I’ll round out my lineup with the newest member of the Canucks, Elias Lindholm. The centerman comes over from Calgary, where he picked up 32 points (9G, 23A) in 49 games. Daily Faceoff has him slotting in as a winger next to the great Elias Pettersson. The two are both Swedish, so we can expect them to have some chemistry right out of the gate. Ultimately, I think Lindholm could have a breakout night in his debut with Vancouver, so I’ll take a flier on him as my utility man.
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