The NHL season is in full swing, and we have a loaded nine-game slate tonight. There are an endless amount of ways to get in on the action, and I’m heading the DFS route to get some skin in the game. Below I’ve listed the nine-man roster 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.
- Understanding Fantasy Hockey Scoring Categories
- How to Use the Fantasy Hockey Waiver Wire
- Fantasy Hockey Drafting Strategies
Tuesday’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Sam Bennett (FLA) | DraftKings: $5,600/FanDuel: $6,900
I have a couple of Panthers in my lineup tonight, as they look to build on a 4-3 victory over the Bruins yesterday. Up next is a Blue Jackets team that gave up 3.40 goals per game last season (30th), while ranking 26th on the penalty kill (76.27%). With Florida being a bit depleted offensively, this should offer middle-six guys like Sam Bennett an opportunity to soak up extra minutes. Bennett is off to a solid start this year, notching four points (three goals, one assist) through four games.
C2: Matt Duchene (DAL) | DraftKings: $4,300/FanDuel: $6,400
It’s never a bad option to have a Dallas skater in your lineup since their offense is so dynamic. Matt Duchene is a great value option at center tonight, as the Stars square off against a bottom-tier Sharks defense. Dallas is 3-0-0 out of the gate, averaging 3.0 goals per game. As for Duchene specifically, he has a couple of helpers through the first three games. San Jose’s defense was the worst in the league last year (3.76 GAA), so I expect Duchene to pile up the points tonight at home.
W1: Jeff Skinner (EDM) | DraftKings: $4,800/FanDuel: $5,900
It has been a horrendous start for the Oilers this year, as they’re 0-3-0 out of the gate. The offense has struggled, averaging only 1.0 goals per game. However, Jeff Skinner has found success, contributing to two of the team’s three goals (one goal, one assist). Skinner lit the lamp in their 4-1 defeat in the Battle of Alberta on Sunday. Playing alongside Connor McDavid and Zach Hyman makes him a great option at a sub-$5,000 price for our lineup.
W2: Evan Rodrigues (FLA) | DraftKings: $4,400/FanDuel: $4,600
The other Panther I have locked in is Evan Rodrigues. The natural centerman is slotting in on the top line with the above-mentioned Bennett, as well as Carter Verhaeghe. Rodrigues, who was clutch in the playoffs last year with 15 points (seven goals, eight assists) in 24 games, has three points (one goal, two assists) through four games this year. Rodrigues should have an opportunity to rack up the points against a lousy Columbus defense tonight. We’ll have a chance to double-up on points with both him and Bennett on the roster.
W3: Jonathan Huberdeau (CAL) | DraftKings: $4,300/FanDuel: $5,100
While neither the Blackhawks nor the Flames are known for their offenses, I think this matchup tonight could yield quite a few goals. Calgary’s offense has surprisingly been a force early on this year, averaging 5.3 goals per game during their 3-0-0 start. Jonathan Huberdeau has found a resurgence this season. I’m going to ride him while he’s hot. The centerman has three goals and two assists while adding six shots on goal (SOG). He’ll be looking to score on a Chicago defense that was 29th defensively last season, conceding 3.34 goals per contest.
D1: Victor Hedman (TB) | DraftKings: $6,200/FanDuel: $7,200
Two potent offenses meet up tonight as the Lightning host the Canucks in Tampa Bay. I think Victor Hedman is worth splurging on in this spot. Vancouver’s defense has been a bit shaky out of the gate, allowing 4.5 goals per game. Neither of these teams has issues with going up and down the ice and trading chances. That should bode well for Hedman, who racked up three assists in their 4-1 season-opening victory over Carolina. Hedman’s still quarterbacking the top power-play unit, logging 23:11 time on ice (TOI) in the opener.
D2: Rasmus Andersson (CAL) | DraftKings: $5,200/FanDuel: $6,200
The other Flames skater I have in my lineup is defenseman Rasmus Andersson. The Swedish defenseman is off to a fantastic start this year, scoring two goals and adding three apples. I love this matchup against the Blackhawks tonight. Chicago’s still a relatively young team that’s prone to making mistakes, which I expect the experienced Flames to take advantage of. Andersson should find success in this game. Finally, it’s worth noting that Andersson is leading the league in +/- this year at +6. This guy’s a goal magnet in the early going of the year, so let’s ride him while he’s producing.
G: Jacob Markstrom (NJ) | DraftKings: $7,400/FanDuel: $7,500
I think we’re getting an absolute bargain with Jacob Markstrom in net tonight at this price. The newcomer to the Devils is out to a 2-1-0 start, logging a 2.71 GAA (22nd) and .906 SV% (19th). Mostly, I like this matchup against the Hurricanes. I’m not very high on Carolina’s offense right now, especially since they saw Jake Guentzel depart this past offseason. I think it’s a pretty underwhelming offense, and this revitalized New Jersey backend should hold up well against them.
UTIL: J.T. Miller (VAN) | DraftKings: $7,800/FanDuel: $8,200
Well, I mentioned I’m expecting quite a bit of scoring in tonight’s Canucks vs. Lightning game. Vancouver’s offense runs through J.T. Miller, as he’s centering the top line, while also getting time on the top power-play unit. Miller has two points (one goal, one assist) through his first two games this year. This is a highly capable Vancouver offense and Miller should have opportunities to light the lamp in Tampa.