After a light one-game schedule on Wednesday, the NHL returns with a stacked nine-game slate tonight. There’s no shortage of ways to get in on the action, including heading the DFS route. Below I’ve listed the nine-man lineup 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. Here’s who I believe is primed for 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: Barrett Hayton (C – UTA) | DraftKings: $5,000/FanDuel: $5,200
The oddsmakers are expecting a flurry of goals in tonight’s Avalanche vs. Hockey Club game, as they’ve set the total at 6.5 goals. I have to agree that we should see the offenses explode in this one. I’ll take a shot on Utah’s Barrett Hayton, who is third on the team in scoring with six points (four goals, two assists). His four goals are the second-most on the team, trailing only Dylan Guenther (five). Hayton centers the top line with Clayton Keller and Nick Schmaltz and also gets time with the duo on the top power-play unit. He’s primed to do some damage against Colorado’s bottom-tier defense.
C2: Mikael Granlund (C – SJS) | DraftKings: $5,500/FanDuel: $6,400
I’ll back San Jose’s Mikael Granlund as my second centerman tonight. The Sharks’ top-line center leads the team in scoring this year with seven points (one goal, six assists). His lack of goals is not due to not shooting the puck, as he also leads the team in shots on goal (SOG) with 23. Granlund will be looking to score on a Los Angeles defense that’s ranked 29th in overall defense (3.57 GAA). They just got lit up for six goals against Vegas in a 6-1 defeat on Tuesday night.
W1: Martin Necas (C – CAR) | DraftKings: $4,300/FanDuel: $6,200
The Hurricanes complete their two-leg Alberta road trip tonight, after taking down the Oilers 3-2 in overtime on Tuesday. Martin Necas was involved in all three goals in the winning effort, adding a goal and two assists. He’s up to six points (two goals, four assists) on the year, which tops Carolina’s roster. I think this cheap price on Necas is worth a shot, as he’ll be looking to score on Dan Vladar, who brings in a mediocre .890 SV%.
W2: Matthew Knies (LW – TOR) | DraftKings: $4,000/FanDuel: $4,300
The Maple Leafs return home to face the Blues tonight, after getting smoked 6-2 by the Blue Jackets on Tuesday. I’m going to ride with Matthew Knies tonight. The first-line winger is having a productive start to the year, scoring three goals and adding an assist. His three goals are second on the team, and his 20 SOG are third. He’s very active offensively and is a great value option at wing against St. Louis’ mid-tier defense (2.71 GAA).
W3: Cole Perfetti (C – WPG) | DraftKings: $3,300/FanDuel: $5,400
Cole Perfetti is well worth this price of $3,300. He is third on the Jets in scoring this year, registering seven points with two goals and five apples. Perfetti gets a decent matchup against the Kraken, who are conceding 2.86 goals per game (14th). Seattle has allowed 28 high-danger shots against this year, which is the 11th-most in the NHL. Let’s back Perfetti to stay hot, as he’s coming off of a three-assist effort against the Blues in Tuesday’s 3-2 victory.
D1: Cale Makar (D – COL) | DraftKings: $8,500/FanDuel: $8,500
Both of my defensemen are in the Avalance/Hockey Club game in Utah tonight. I think it’s worth splurging on Cale Makar in this spot. The former Norris Trophy-winning defenseman leads the league in scoring this season, lighting the lamp twice while adding 12 helpers. Makar looks to rack up the points on a Utah defense that’s just 25th in the NHL in defensive scoring (3.43 GAA). He also runs the blue line on Colorado’s third-ranked power play (37.50%).
D2: Mikhail Sergachev (D – UTA) | DraftKings: $5,400/FanDuel: $6,600
I’ll also be playing Utah’s top defenseman, Mikhail Sergachev. Sergachev has had an impact since coming over from Tampa Bay in the offseason, notching four points (all assists). I love this matchup for Utah’s offense to break out and run up the goals. Colorado’s defense is horrendous, ranking 30th overall (3.86 GAA) and 31st on the penalty kill (65.00%).
G: Casey DeSmith (G – DAL) | DraftKings: $7,500/FanDuel: $8,400
Dallas will go with Casey DeSmith tonight as the team squares off against the Bruins in Boston. DeSmith has looked fantastic in two games played, going 1-1-0 with a 1.53 GAA and .941 SV%. Overall this year, the Stars have the second-best defense (1.71 GAA) and rank first on the penalty kill (95.45%). They take on a Boston team that’s dead last in the NHL in expected goals per 60 minutes (2.4). DeSmith is a great value option against this lackluster Boston offense.
UTIL: Jason Robertson (LW – DAL) | DraftKings: $6,500/FanDuel: $7,500
Keeping it in the same game, I’ll round out my roster with Dallas’ Jason Robertson. The star winger is off to a modest start this year, scoring three goals and adding two assists. He does lead the team in SOG with 18 (2.6 SOG/G). Boston’s defense hasn’t been in their typical top-five form this year, as they’re just 21st in GAA (3.29). Jeremy Swayman (2.77 GAA) is still dusting off the cobwebs after missing training camp due to contract negotiations. I think the Stars could decimate the B’s in Boston tonight, and Robertson should lead the way if that’s the case.
