NHL DraftKings & FanDuel DFS Primer: Saturday (3/16)

There’s no shortage of ways to get some skin in the game today and that includes heading the DFS route in the NHL. I’ve listed the nine-man DFS roster I’m playing over at DraftKings below. This lineup can be used in the classic $50,000 salary format for the games starting at 7:00 p.m. ET or later (nine games). I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel for their $55,000 salary equivalent. Here’s who I believe is due for 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.

Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis

The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.

C1: Pavel Zacha (C – BOS) ($4,900 DK, $5,900 FD)

The Bruins host the Flyers tonight as they go for their fourth win in five tries. I’ll take top-line center Pavel Zacha as my first centerman. The 26-year-old has been on fire this month, amassing nine points (5G, 4A) in his last six games. Zacha’s up to 45 points (17G, 28A) on the year and there’s always a good chance he picks up a couple of points playing alongside David Pastrnak. Meanwhile, Philly’s defense is allowing 3.6 goals per game over their current 2-2-1 stretch of hockey.

C2: Casey Mittelstadt (C – COL) ($3,200 DK, $5,300 FD)

At this low price, I absolutely love taking a flier on Casey Mittelstadt. The centerman just joined Colorado at the deadline. After being blanked in his first game, he has a goal and an assist in his last two games. Mittelstadt comes into tonight’s game with 49 points (15G, 49A) on the year and his Avs take on the Oilers in what should be a high-scoring affair.

W1: Brock Boeser (RW – VAN) ($6,300 DK, $7,300 FD)

I have a pair of Canucks forwards in my lineup tonight, starting with the leading goalscorer in Brock Boeser (35G). The winger is fourth on the team in scoring (30A) and he leads the way in SOG with 180. Vancouver hosts Washington tonight and the Caps haven’t been too sharp defensively, conceding 3.4 goals per game over their current 4-4-0 run. Boeser could have a big night against a Washington team playing its fourth straight road game.

W2: Blake Coleman (C – CAL) ($5,500 DK, $6,500 FD)

With the big sell-off at the deadline, someone has to step up for the Flames. Perhaps that’ll be Blake Coleman, who picked up two goals in Thursday’s 4-1 victory against the Golden Knights. Coleman’s up to 50 points (28G, 22A), which is second on Calgary’s roster. The Flames welcome the Canadiens tonight, who are just 27th in overall defense (3.24 GAA) and 26th on the PK (76.00%).

W3: Johnny Gaudreau (LW – COL) ($4,700 DK, $5,300 FD)

It’s pretty much a staple of my DFS lineups to have someone on my roster playing the Sharks. Let’s go with Johnny Gaudreau, who leads the Blue Jackets in scoring (10G, 37A). He’s coming off of a two-point night (2A) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Senators on Thursday. Gaudreau should stay hot against this Sharks club that’s dead last in both overall defense (3.71 GAA) and 5-on-5 high-danger shots allowed (173).

D1: Devon Toews (D – COL) ($4,900 DK, $5,700 FD)

I’ll lock in Devon Toews as my top defenseman tonight. The veteran defenseman has picked up at least one point in seven of his last eight games, scoring eight total points (1G, 7A) over the eight-game sample size. Toews is now fifth on the Avs in scoring (11G, 29A) and sixth in SOG (129). He should get plenty of ice time in a high-leverage contest against the Oilers.

D2: Brady Skjei (D – CAR) ($4,800 DK, $5,300 FD)

Brady Skjei hasn’t been quite as hot as Toews but he does have five points (3G, 2A) over his last seven games. He’s now the leading scorer (10G, 26A) in Carolina’s defensive core and he’s fourth overall in SOG (145). Skjei and his Canes take on the Leafs tonight. Toronto is still taking its lumps defensively, where they’re a pedestrian 17th overall in the league (2.94 GAA). This game could get a little loose, so I’ll take a flier on Skjei to have his hand in a goal.

G: Linus Ullmark (G – BOS) ($8,300 DK, $8,600FD)

I’m rolling with Linus Ullmark in net tonight as his Bruins host the Flyers. Ullmark has been incredible over his last two starts, going 2-0-0 while making 56 saves on 58 shots faced (.966 SV%). The veteran netminder comes into this contest at 18-7-7 with a 2.66 GAA (15th) and .913 SV% (12th). Ullmark takes on a Philadelphia squad that has been snake-bitten recently, averaging just 1.6 goals per game over their current 2-2-1 stretch of hockey. They’re just 22nd overall this season in scoring (2.9 GPG).

UTIL: J.T. Miller (C – VAN) ($7,400 DK, $8,800 FD)

Thanks to the frugal spending above, we’ll get a heavyweight forward in our UTIL spot tonight. Let’s lock in J.T. Miller, who’s putting together a monster season with 87 points (33G, 54A). The centerman leads Vancouver in scoring and he’s fourth on the team in SOG (154). Miller has been lighting it up recently, amassing 17 points (9G, 8A) over his last 11 games. Finally, he’s slotting in on the second line with Boeser, giving us a chance to double-up on their scoring contributions tonight.