The NHL is back with another nine-game slate tonight, as the opening week festivities continue. There’s no shortage of ways to get in on the action tonight, including heading the DFS route. Below I’ve listed the nine-man unit that I’m playing in one of DraftKings’ $50,000 classic salary competitions. I’ve also listed each player’s price for FanDuel’s $55,000 salary equivalent. Let’s dive into who I believe will have a big Thursday on the ice.
- Understanding Fantasy Hockey Scoring Categories
- How to Use the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
- Fantasy Hockey Drafting Strategies
Thursday’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Sam Bennett (FLA) | DraftKings: $5,500/FanDuel: $5,900
The champs got their new season started on the right foot Tuesday night, hammering the Bruins in a 6-4 barnburner. Sam Bennett, Florida’s second-line center, scored two goals on four shots on goal (SOG), while laying a couple of hits. Bennett and the Cats hit the road for a four-game stretch, and their next stop is in Canada’s capital city to take on the Senators. Ottawa finished the 2023-24 campaign ranked 28th defensively, conceding 3.30 goals per game.
C2: J.T. Compher (DET) | DraftKings: $2,900/FanDuel: $4,700
If you’re looking to scrape the bottom of the value barrel, look no further than Detroit’s J.T. Compher. The second-line centerman is winged by a couple of veteran, Stanley Cup-winning forwards in Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrick Kane. As long as Compher can get them the puck, he should rack up a healthy amount of assists this year. The Red Wings open up their season hosting the Penguins, who were on the wrong end of a 6-0 beatdown by the Rangers last night. Detroit will face Pittsburgh’s Joel Blomqvist, who’s set to make his NHL debut in net. I think Compher could have a big game picking up helpers.
W1: David Pastrnak (BOS) | DraftKings: $9,100/FanDuel: $8,800
With rostering so many value players tonight, it gives me the chance to splurge on one of the top-priced wingers in David Pastrnak. The 28-year-old superstar scored a garbage-time goal in Tuesday’s 6-4 defeat to Florida while racking up five SOG. Pastrnak trailed only Colorado’s Nathan MacKinnon (405) in SOG last season with 382. I don’t see why he would slow down this year. Pastrnak and the B’s get a favorable matchup against a Canadiens club that’s on the second night of a back-to-back.
W2: Logan Stankoven (DAL) | DraftKings: $4,300/FanDuel: $6,500
One of, if not the marquee matchup in the NHL tonight features a heavyweight Central Division tilt between the Stars and the Predators. However, Nashville will likely be without Juuse Saros (lower-body), which could leave the Preds exposed on the backend. This feels like a great spot to lock in Logan Stankoven, who’s listed on Dallas’ top line alongside C Roope Hintz and LW Jason Robertson. Stankoven scored six goals in just 24 regular season games last year, while also picking up eight assists. This should be a breakout season for the 21-year-old, especially if he’s getting time with the crafty Hintz.
W3: Matthew Knies (TOR) | DraftKings: $3,200/FanDuel: $4,000
The Maple Leafs were blanked 1-0 in last night’s season-opening game against the Canadiens, despite mustering up 48 shots on goal. Five of those belonged to Matthew Knies, who’s slotting in on Toronto’s top line alongside Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Knies is coming off of a modest season where he put up 35 points on 15 goals and 20 helpers. Honestly, this play on Knies is all about getting ice time with the 69-goal-scoring Matthews. Good things happen when you’re on the ice with a guy like that. I don’t think this top line will be snake-bitten for too much longer, especially as they square off against a mid-tier New Jersey defense.
D1: Miro Heiskanen (DAL) | DraftKings: $5,400/FanDuel: $6,400
The other Star I have in my lineup is Miro Heiskanen, who’s coming off of a 54-point (nine goals, 45 assists) campaign in 71 games played. Heiskanen is still quarterbacking Dallas’ top power-play unit, where he added 21 points (two goals, 19 assists) last season. The Finnish defenseman takes on a Saros-less Preds squad that finished just 22nd on the penalty kill (76.92%) last season.
D2: Owen Power (BUF) | DraftKings: $4,000/FanDuel: $5,000
I have a couple of Sabres in my lineup tonight as they host the Kings in their home opener. First up is Owen Power, who lit the lamp in the team’s 0-2-0 trip to Prague, Czechia for the NHL Global Series last weekend. Power is getting time on the top power-play unit, which should give him some scoring chances tonight. Mostly, I’m looking to fade a Los Angeles defense that’ll be without future Hall of Famer Drew Doughty, as well as entering a new goaltending era with Darcy Kuemper (3.31 GAA and .890 SV% with Washington in 2023-24).
G: Sergei Bobrovsky (FLA) | DraftKings: $8,000/FanDuel: $8,600
There are some excellent goaltending options on the ice tonight, but I’ll pass over the top-tier guys like Jeremy Swayman ($8,500 on DraftKings) and Filip Gustavsson ($8,400 on DraftKings) to save a few bucks. I’ll back Sergei Bobrovsky in net against the Senators. Florida decimated Ottawa in last year’s season series, going 4-0-0 against them while out-scoring the divisional foe 16-2. The Cats posted three shutouts against the Sens, two of which Big Bob was in net for.
UTIL: Tage Thompson (BUF) | DraftKings: $7,400/FanDuel: $7,300
I’ll round out my lineup with Tage Thompson, who was Buffalo’s other goalscorer in the unsuccessful trip to Prague last weekend. Thompson’s coming off of a 29-goal season last year. He amassed 47 ginos the year prior. I think this Los Angeles defense is primed for a setback without Doughty chewing up 25+ minutes of ice time per game. I expect Thompson to capitalize on the absence in their home opener.
