With 11 games in the NHL tonight, there are a ton of different ways to get in on the action. I’m locking in an NHL DFS lineup to get some skin in the game. Below is my nine-man roster in one of DraftKings’ $50,000 classic salary format competitions. I’ve also listed each player’s price for FanDuel’s $55,000 salary equivalent.
Thursday’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Anze Kopitar (LAK) | DraftKings: $6,300/FanDuel: $7,600
The Kings continue their insane seven-game road trip to begin the year. The next stop is in Montreal to take on the Canadiens. Anze Kopitar, even at the ripe age of 37 years old, continues to excel in the NHL. The centerman has six points (three goals, three assists) in four games to start the year. I like this matchup against a Montreal defense that is the worst in the NHL in high-danger shots against (22) during 5-on-5 play. The crafty Kopitar is primed for another big-time performance tonight.
C2: Anton Lundell (FLA) | DraftKings: $4,800/FanDuel: $5,800
With Aleksander Barkov (lower-body) sidelined, the champs are turning to Anton Lundell as the top-line center. The 23-year-old has been dubbed “Baby Barkov” for his well-rounded style of hockey. Lundell has slotted in nicely on the top line, where he’s already racked up five points (three goals, two assists) through five games. He’s lit the lamp three times over the last two contests. The Cats host a Canucks team allowing 3.67 goals per game (24th). Look for the Eetu Luostarinen-Lundell-Sam Reinhart line to do some damage in this spot.
W1: Jonathan Marchessault (NAS) | DraftKings: $6,100/FanDuel: $7,200
Jonathan Marchessault, the 2022-23 Conn Smythe winner, has been snake-bitten since joining the Nashville Predators. However, it hasn’t been for a lack of shooting the puck, as the winger sits third on the team in shots on goal (SOG) with 13. He does have a couple of helpers through the first three games, though. The Preds host an Oilers squad that has been in shambles defensively. They’re allowing 4.25 goals per game (30th) while killing off only 56.3% of their penalties (31st). I think Marchessault lights the lamp tonight against this lackadaisical Edmonton defense.
W2: Brandon Hagel (TB) | DraftKings: $5,000/FanDuel: $6,500
The marquee matchup in the NHL tonight pits the Golden Knights against the Lightning in Tampa. I’m going to take a flier on Brandon Hagel, Tampa’s second-line winger. Hagel’s coming off of a career year, where he amassed 75 points on 26 goals and 49 apples. He already has two points (one goal, one assist) through two games in 2024-25. Vegas’ defense hasn’t looked great to start the season, ranking 17th in scoring defense (3.00 GAA) and 30th in 5-on-5 high-danger shots against (15).
W3: Paul Cotter (NJ) | DraftKings: $2,500/FanDuel: $4,200
If you’re looking to scrape the bottom of the value barrel tonight, Paul Cotter is our guy. Cotter has been on a tear out of the gate, as he leads the Devils in scoring with four goals. His 13 SOG are the fifth-most on the team. This New Jersey offense is matched up with an Ottawa club still having issues keeping the puck out of its net, conceding 4.00 goals per game (29th). I’ll take a flier on the opportunistic third-line winger tonight, as he squares off against a Sens team that is the worst in defensive zone turnover percentage (62.7%) during 5-on-5 play.
D1: Mike Matheson (MON) | DraftKings: $6,200/FanDuel: $5,500
This matchup between the Devils and Kings has the potential for a ton of scoring. I’m taking a chance on Mike Matheson tonight. The 30-year-old has developed into a top-pair defenseman, who is leading the team in time on ice per game (TOI/G) this year at 25:48. He already has three assists in four games, with one of those helpers coming on the power play. I’m looking to fade Los Angeles’ defense early on this year as they’re without Drew Doughty (ankle). The Kings are conceding 4.25 goals per game this season. Only the Avalanche (5.25) are worse out of the gate.
D2: Seth Jones (CHI) | DraftKings: $5,800/FanDuel: $6,600
The Sharks take on the Blackhawks in Chicago tonight. I’m looking forward to backing Seth Jones in this spot. Jones finally appears to be settling in on Chicago’s backend, where he has five points (one goal, four assists) through four games this season. He is still running point on Chicago’s power play, which has been cashing at 33.3% (fourth) to start the new year. Jones, who’s leading the team in TOI/G (25:18), looks to score on a San Jose defense that was the worst in the NHL last season (3.76 GAA).
G: Daniil Tarasov (COL) | DraftKings: $7,500/FanDuel: $7,100
Columbus’ Daniil Tarasov makes an excellent value option in net tonight, as the Blue Jackets host a Sabres squad coming in on the second night of a back-to-back. Buffalo’s offense hasn’t been overpowering this year, averaging only 2.6 goals per game (26th). They’re also one of just three teams that haven’t scored on the power play this season, sitting at 0-15 (0%) on the man advantage. Tarasov got lit up for four goals (22 saves on 26 shots) against Colorado in his first appearance this year, but this will be a much easier task against a pedestrian Buffalo offense. Tarasov put up solid numbers last season, going 8-11-3 with a 3.18 GAA and .908 SV%.
UTIL: Pavel Buchnevich (STL) | DraftKings: $5,800/FanDuel: $6,200
I’ll round out my roster with St. Louis’ Pavel Buchnevich, who put up 63 points (27 goals, 36 assists) last season with the Blues. He was third in that category, while also sitting third in SOG (207) for the Blues. As for the new campaign, Buchnevich has a team-leading three goals. His four total points are the second-most on the team. Buchnevich will be looking to score on an Islanders defense that’s 28th on the penalty kill (66.7%).
