The NHL is back with a seven-game slate tonight, providing us with plenty of different ways to get some skin in the game. I’m heading the DFS route tonight, where I’ve crafted a nine-man roster in one of DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary format competitions. I’ve also listed each player’s price for FanDuel’s $55,000 salary equivalent. Here are nine players who are primed to have a big night on the ice.
Thursday’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Connor Bedard (C – CHI) | DraftKings: $7,800/FanDuel: $8,200
The Blackhawks are coming off of a dominant 5-2 victory over the submarining Avalanche. Connor Bedard went pointless in the winning effort but still has nine points (three goals, six assists) through 10 games played. The reigning Calder Trophy winner leads Chicago in scoring and shots on goal (SOG) with 34. He’s averaging 3.4 SOG/game (SOG/G). His 20:00 time on ice/game (TOI/G) is the most among their forwards group. I love this matchup for the Blackhawks, which is why I’m playing three of their players tonight.
C2: Mikael Granlund (C – SJS) | DraftKings: $6,500/FanDuel: $8,000
Keeping it in the same game, I also think it’s worth a shot on San Jose’s Mikael Granlund. San Jose’s offense runs through Granlund, as he leads the team in points (13), assists (eight) and SOG (38), and he also receives time on the top power-play unit. Granlund has four multi-point games in his last eight outings, including a two-point night (two assists) against Chicago back on October 17th. The Hawks are still a bit shaky defensively. The experienced Granlund is primed for a few more points tonight.
W1: William Nylander (RW – TOR) | DraftKings: $6,800/FanDuel: $7,600
With the way my budget worked out, I was able to splurge on Toronto’s William Nylander. He’s one of three Maple Leafs on my roster. Nylander is leading the team in goals (six) and he also has four helpers through 10 games. The Leafs host the Kraken, who are allowing 2.90 goals per game (13th). Nylander’s always a threat to go nuclear. I’ll take my chances with him against a middle-of-the-pack Seattle squad.
W2: Rickard Rakell (RW – PIT) | DraftKings: $4,100/FanDuel: $6,200
If the Penguins are ever going to get back in the win column (currently riding a six-game losing streak), it will likely come tonight against the visiting Ducks. I’ll add Pittsburgh’s top goalscorer, Rickard Rakell (six goals), to my lineup. Rakell is playing on the top line, where he has racked up eight points. He’s the team’s leader in SOG (27). Anaheim’s defense has held up quite well (2.56 GAA), but they’re still absorbing an inflated 34.7 SOG/G. Rakell should have some opportunities to score and help deliver a win to the Penguins.
W3: Ryan Donato (C – CHI) | DraftKings: $2,700/FanDuel: $4,500
Of all the skaters on Chicago’s roster, Ryan Donato leads the team in goals (five) through the early part of the season. Donato scored a couple of goals and added an assist in the 5-2 victory over the Avalanche on Monday. I think it’s worth a flier on Donato considering he has the hot hand and he’ll be facing a lousy San Jose defense. The Sharks are 30th in overall defense (3.73 GAA) and 31st in SOG faced (356).
D1: Oliver Ekman-Larsson (D – TOR) | DraftKings: $4,200/FanDuel: $5,300
It’s only a matter of time until Oliver Ekman-Larsson is running Toronto’s blue line on the power play. For now, he’s on the second unit. Ekman-Larsson is the top-scoring defenseman on the Leafs with six points (one goal, five assists). If you’re looking for a cheaper defenseman, Ekman-Larsson could be your guy. He’s leading the team in ice time (21:39 TOI/G) while averaging 2.3 SOG/G.
D2: Alex Vlasic (D – CHI) | DraftKings: $3,300/FanDuel: $5,100
The final Blackhawk I have in my lineup is up-and-coming defenseman Alex Vlasic. He has five points (five assists) through 10 games and he added a power-play assist on Monday against Colorado. Vlasic is mostly known for his defense, where he’s 11th in the NHL in blocked shots (25). Between his solid defense and growing role in the offense, he makes for a solid value option against San Jose’s incompetent defense.
G: Samuel Ersson (G – PHI) | DraftKings: $7,900/FanDuel: $7,100
I’m going to play it bold here at the goaltender position and ride with Philadelphia’s Samuel Ersson. The netminder himself hasn’t been overpowering, but he has been in net for all three of the Flyers’ wins (3-6-1). Ersson is 3-2-1 on the year with a 3.00 GAA (25th) and .890 SV% (35th). Mostly, I like this matchup against the Blues. St. Louis’ offense is just 25th in scoring (2.7 goals per game), 21st on the power play (16.67%) and 30th in expected goals per 60 minutes (2.69). Ersson is primed to turn in a solid outing against an underwhelming St. Louis offense.
UTIL: Mitch Marner (RW – TOR) | DraftKings: $6,700/FanDuel: $7,900
I’m heavy on Maple Leafs tonight, but I like this matchup against a Kraken side amid a five-game road trip. Marner leads Toronto in scoring this year with 11 points (one goal, 10 assists) through 10 games. He is averaging 2.8 SOG/G, which is the fourth-most on the team. Seattle has allowed the fourth-most high-danger shots against (42), which is not a great sign against a talented Toronto offense. I think the Leafs could explode in this game. I’ll back Marner to lead the charge.
