The NHL season churns ahead tonight, and we have a vast amount of betting options available. I’m heading the DFS route, where I’ve locked in this nine-man lineup over at DraftKings.

This roster is playable in 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, $6,900 FD

We have a heavyweight tilt tonight in the Lone Star State as the Stars host the Panthers. Dallas brings in the second-best offense in the league, netting 3.6 goals per game. Matt Duchene has played a huge role in the team’s success, where he’s second in scoring (23G, 35A). He’ll take on the league’s best defense (2.20 GAA), but Dallas has seen 22 of its 31 home games go over the betting total this year. We should see a ton of scoring in this game, and I’ll take Duchene to make his way onto the scoresheet.

C2: J.T. Compher (DET) | $4,000 DK, $5,000 FD

The Red Wings have been getting trucked recently, dropping their last five games. They’ll look to snap that five-game skid tonight as they take on the Sabres in Buffalo, N.Y. With Dylan Larkin out, J.T. Compher has stepped up to center a line featuring Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat. This is a potential breakout spot for Compher (16G, 21A), as he takes on a middle-of-the-pack Buffalo defense conceding 2.85 goals per game (15th).

W1: Mikko Rantanen (COL) | $8,400 DK, $9,600 FD

My highest-priced skater tonight is Mikko Rantanen. The winger’s putting together another monster year, where he’s second on Colorado’s roster in scoring (31G, 53A). I mean, you’re bound to pick up a few assists simply by being on a line with Nathan MacKinnon. The Avs head to Calgary, Canada, to take on a Flames team that has been out-scored 12-3 since Friday’s trade deadline. I think this high-flying Avs offense lays it on them tonight. We should get our money’s worth with Rantanen in this matchup.

W2: Alex DeBrincat (DET) | $5,700 DK, 6,500 FD

I’ll try to double up by playing Compher and DeBrincat tonight. “The Cat” leads Detroit’s roster in scoring, thanks to 23 goals and 31 helpers. He’s also first on the team in SOG with 176. Furthermore, the winger’s the trigger man on the power play, which takes on a Buffalo PK that’s just 20th overall (78.57%). The Wings are desperate for a win, and I expect the DeBrincat-Compher-Kane line to step up tonight.

W3: Juraj Slafkovsky (MTL) | $4,700 DK, $5,100 FD

It’s not every day that I roll with a couple of Canadiens in my lineup. However, tonight seems like a great spot as they host the Blue Jackets. Columbus is ranked 28th defensively (3.34 GAA) and 25th on the PK (76.63%). I’ll ride with Juraj Slafkovsky, who’s putting together a nice season with 33 points (13G, 20A). He’s coming off a two-assist night against the Leafs, and I think he steps up against this lowly Columbus defense.

D1: Mike Matheson (MTL) | $6,100 DK, $6,900 FD

The other Hab I have tonight is top d-man Mike Matheson. Matheson’s third on the team in scoring (9G, 37A), and he’s by far the leader in TOI, where he plays 25:30 per night. He’s also second on the team in SOG (155), so he’s clearly not afraid to rip the puck on-net. I love this matchup against Columbus, and I think Matheson will be worth the price.

D2: Gustav Forsling (FLA) | $4,200 DK, $5,100 FD

Speaking of price, I think Gustav Forsling is severely underpriced compared to his production among Florida’s defensemen. He leads their defensive core in scoring (10G, 24A), and he’s logging 22:45 TOI/G over five games this month. Over those five games, Forsling has picked up six points (1G, 5A), so it’s safe to say he’s heating up. As noted, I think we’re in for a barnburner tonight in Dallas, so I’ll play the reliable Forsling as my second defenseman.

G: Petr Mrazek (CHI) | $7,800 DK, $7,000 FD

Maybe I’m crazy, but I will take a shot on Chicago’s Petr Mrazek in-net tonight. The netminder is looking to snap a six-game personal losing streak, but he’ll have a favorable matchup to do so against the visiting Ducks. Anaheim has been slumping recently, going just 1-3-0 over their last four games. They’ve managed just five goals (1.25 GPG) over that stretch. I think this is a great value play on Mrazek, who squares off against the 30th-ranked offense in the league (2.6 GPG).

UTIL: Casey Mittelstadt (COL) | $3,400 DK, $5,500 FD

The other Av I have in my lineup tonight is newcomer Casey Mittelstadt. The centerman was held off the scoresheet in his Colorado debut, but he put a shot on-net. Still, he racked up 47 points (14G, 33A) in Buffalo, and he’s bound to make an impact in his second-line center role with Colorado. As noted, Calgary has allowed 12 goals in their last two games. Now they’ll welcome in the league’s best offense. Let’s take a shot on Mittelstadt at this very low price.

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