The NHL rolls out an eight-game slate tonight. It’s the biggest schedule the league has over the final three days of the season. I’m heading the DFS route tonight, where I’ve compiled this nine-man roster at DraftKings. This lineup is playable for their classic $50,000 salary format. I’ve also listed each player’s price for FanDuel’s $55,000 equivalent competition. Here’s who I expect to close out the season with a bang tonight.
Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Dylan Strome | $5,200 DK, $6,500 FD
One of the meaningful games on the schedule tonight features a Metropolitan Division clash between the Capitals and Flyers. Washington’s coming off a 2-0 win over Boston last night, where Dylan Strome notched an assist. The helper brings Strome to 67 points (27G, 40A) on the year, which leads the team. The centerman trails only Alex Ovechkin (30G) in goals scored this season. Look for Strome to play an integral part in tonight’s contest against the slumping Flyers.
C2: Tomas Hertl | $4,700 DK, $6,200 FD
Tomas Hertl is fresh off the IR, and he’s making an impact right away. The centerman has goals in two straight games, bringing him to three points (2G, 1A) over four games since returning from injury. Hertl is slotting in on the second line, where he’s averaging over 17:00 TOI/G since his return. The 30-year-old is primed to have a big night against Chicago’s 29th-ranked defense (3.34 GAA) and 27th-ranked penalty kill (76.11%).
W1: Alex Ovechkin | $7,400 DK, $7,800 FD
I think it’s worth a shot to play Alex Ovechkin tonight in a win-or-go-home game. The veteran winger has been on fire to close the season, racking up 12 goals over his last 16 games. He’s second on Washington’s roster in scoring (30G, 24A) and he’s leading the way in SOG (271). The next-closest teammate is John Carlson with 172 SOG. I love this matchup for Ovechkin as he gets a Philly defense that has been in shambles recently. They’re on a 2-6-2 run over their last 10 games, conceding 4.3 goals per game. Ovechkin lights the lamp at least once tonight.
W2: Nikolaj Ehlers | $5,100 DK, $6,500 FD
The first of two Winnipeg skaters I have in my lineup is Nikolaj Ehlers. The winger is sneakily putting together a great season, ranking third on the Jets in scoring with 59 points (24G, 35A). He has five points (2G, 3A) in his last five games and 14 points (5G, 9A) over his last 15 games. Ehlers is basically a point-per-game guy recently. He gets a matchup tonight against a Kraken team that’s eliminated from playoff contention. Seattle has allowed 10 goals over their current 0-3-0 run, so Ehlers should be able to find success tonight.
W3: Lucas Raymond | $4,500 DK, $5,900 FD
Lucas Raymond had a monster night at home last night, scoring two goals en route to a 5-4 overtime win against the Canadiens. The two sides are back at it tonight as the home-and-home series shifts back to Montreal. Raymond is on fire right now and this feels like a steal getting him at $4,500. The 22-year-old is riding a five-game point streak, where he’s racked up 10 points (6G, 4A) over the five-game run. He’s up to 71 points (31G, 40A) on the year, which is good enough to be Detroit’s top scorer. I think he stays hot in this must-win contest.
D1: Shea Theodore | $5,800 DK, $7,100 FD
The other Golden Knight skater I’m locking in is Shea Theodore. He’s nearly a point-per-game guy right now, amassing 41 points (5G, 36A) over 45 games this season. Since returning from injury in February, Theodore has amassed 23 points (1G, 22A) over 25 games played. He’s also averaging 2.2 SOG/G, so while the goal numbers aren’t there, he’s still active in shooting the puck. Theodore should have a great night against a Blackhawks side that’s 0-4-0 in their last four games, conceding 4.5 goals per contest over the four-game stretch.
D2: Shayne Gostisbehere | $3,700 DK, $5,300 FD
Shayne Gostisbehere also played a big role in last night’s comeback, where he amassed three assists in the 5-4 win over the Habs. That gives him four helpers in his last two games. He’s Detroit’s leading assist-man, coming in with 44. Gostisbehere, known for his slapshot and crafty skating at the blue line, also has 10 goals on the season. I like this matchup against a Montreal club that’s 27th in overall defense (3.33 GAA) and 23rd on the PK (76.45%).
G: Connor Hellebuyck | $8,200 DK, $8,700 FD
The Jets can lock up the second seed in the Central Division with a win tonight, meaning they would host the Avalanche in the first round of the playoffs, rather than having to play in Denver for four of the seven games.
With that being said, I’ll take Connor Hellebuyck since he’s still playing meaningful hockey. The netminder is putting together a Vezina-worthy season, coming into tonight’s action at 36-19-4 (second-most wins) with a 2.38 GAA (4th) and .922 SV% (2nd). He’s coming off a shutout performance against the Avs, where he stopped all 30 shot attempts in the 7-0 rout. Hellebuyck hosts a Kraken side that’s just 29th in overall offense, averaging 2.6 goals per game.
UTIL: Mark Scheifele | $5,400 DK, $6,900 FD
I’ll round out my lineup with Winnipeg’s top centerman, Mark Scheifele. The 31-year-old trails only linemate Kyle Connor (32G) in goals scored this season (25G). However, Scheifele has played in 73 games this year, leading the team in scoring with 70 points (25G, 45A). Winnipeg hosts a tough Seattle defense tonight, but the Jets’ offense is on a tear right now, averaging 4.5 goals per game over their current 6-0-0 run.
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