The NHL season is winding down but we have a thrilling 13-game slate on the ice tonight. I’m heading the DFS route for my sweats tonight, where I’ve locked in this nine-man roster at DraftKings. This lineup is playable in DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary format. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel’s $55,000 equivalent. Here’s who I think is due for a big night in the NHL.
Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Anze Kopitar | $5,100 DK, $6,700 FD
The 36-year-old Anze Kopitar continues to produce. He’s Los Angeles’ third-highest scorer this season, where he has recorded 68 points on 26 goals and 42 helpers. Kopitar’s coming off a two-assist night against the Canucks on Saturday. He gets a favorable draw against Anaheim’s 31st-ranked defense (3.45 GAA). The Ducks are on a 2-12-2 run, where they’re allowing 3.8 goals per contest.
C2: Mikael Granlund | $4,900 DK, $6,100 FD
Typically, I’m looking to fade the Sharks any chance I get. However, I think this is a great spot to lock in San Jose’s top scorer Mikael Granlund (12G, 42A), as they host the Flames, who are basically extinguished for the 2023-2024 campaign. Calgary has been horrendous recently, going 1-8-0 over their last nine games, conceding 4.1 goals per game over the nine-game sample size. Let’s lock in Granlund, who’s been on a heater, amassing nine points (2G, 7A) over his last eight games.
W1: Jesper Bratt | $6,000 DK, $7,700 FD
I have a couple of Devils in my lineup tonight. First up is Jesper Bratt. Bratt is compiling a big statistical season, leading New Jersey in scoring with 79 points (25G, 54A). The winger is riding an eight-game point streak, where he’s racked up 12 points (3G, 9A).
The Devils host a Maple Leafs side that’s on the second night of a back-to-back, where they barely edged out the Penguins in a 3-2 overtime affair. Toronto’s already just 17th in overall defense (2.92 GAA) and 20th on the penalty kill (78.08%). Factor in potentially tired legs and New Jersey’s offense could go off tonight.
W2: Brandon Hagel | $4,900 DK, $6,100 FD
At $4,900, Brandon Hagel seems like a great option as a depth winger. He’s having a breakout year in Tampa, where he has registered 70 points (24G, 46A) through 77 games. What’s incredible is that 63 of those points (22G, 41A) have come during 5-on-5 play. That’s a key point as Columbus has allowed the most 5-on-5 SOG (2,093) this year and the most 5-on-5 high-danger SOG (208). Hagel is primed to have a big night against Columbus’ 30th-ranked defense (3.36 GAA).
W3: Vladimir Tarasenko | $4,100 DK, $5,600 FD
I have a pair of Panthers in my lineup tonight as they host Vladimir Tarasenko’s former team, the Ottawa Senators. These teams just squared off on April 4th — the Cats cruised to a 6-0 victory. Tarasenko added an assist in the win, giving him six points (1G, 5A) over four games this month. Ottawa’s defense has been a mess all season (29th, 3.35 GAA). I don’t see them cleaning things up against a well-rounded squad like Florida.
D1: Morgan Rielly | $6,000 DK, $4,000 FD
As you read above, the Leafs are coming in on the second night of a back-to-back. Their defense could take a step back but the offense should be fine. Luckily in fantasy hockey, we’re strictly looking for offensive-minded defensemen — Morgan Rielly fits the bill for our needs. Rielly picked up an assist in last night’s 3-2 win, which gives him eight points (8A) in his last nine games. New Jersey’s still not very good defensively, coming in at just 25th in the league (3.08 GAA). I think Rielly will make his way onto the scoresheet tonight.
D2: Luke Hughes | $4,300 DK, $5,100 FD
The other New Jersey skater I have tonight is Luke Hughes, their top-scoring defenseman (9G, 36A). With the long-term injury to Dougie Hamilton, Hughes has been forced to step up at a young age. I’d say he’s done well. Hughes is riding a seven-game point streak and has 12 points (1G, 11A) over his last 10 games.
G: Connor Ingram | $7,400 DK, $7,500 FD
At this price, I absolutely love Connor Ingram in net tonight. The Yotes’ goaltender has been on fire in two starts this month, going 1-1-0 with a 2.04 GAA and .933 SV%. Ingram gets a favorable matchup against a Seattle club that’s 28th in scoring (2.6 GPG) and shooting percentage during 5-on-5 play (7.63%). Furthermore, Seattle’s top scorer, Jared McCann (28G, 32A), is listed as day-to-day, so this bottom-tier offense could take a step back if he’s unable to go. Let’s take a flier on Ingram in the crease.
UTIL: Matthew Tkachuk | $7,300 DK, $8,600 FD
Not only do we have a potential Tarasenko revenge game but it’s also the Battle of the Tkachuks as Matthew and Brady go toe-to-toe for the fourth and final time this season. Florida has decimated Ottawa this year, outscoring them 14-2 over the three games. Tkachuk added three points (1G, 2A) in the recent 6-0 win, giving him five points (1G, 4A) against the Sens this season. In addition to being ranked 29th in overall defense (3.35 GAA), Ottawa’s also 29th on the PK this year (74.45%). Tkachuk is primed for another big night against the lowly Senators.
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