It’s a great day to be a hockey fan (and bettor), as the NHL rolls out its “Frozen Frenzy,” where all 32 teams hit the ice. There’s no better time to lock in a DFS lineup with the wall-to-wall action on the schedule. 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.
Tuesday’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Elias Pettersson (C – VAN) | $6,100 DK, $7,100 FD
The Canucks have rattled off two straight wins and they’ll try to make it three tonight when they face the Blackhawks in Chicago. Vancouver’s J.T. Miller is listed as day-to-day (undisclosed), so if he can’t go, Elias Pettersson (two assists) should slide into the top-line center role. Pettersson’s off to a slow start, but he gets a Chicago team that ranked 29th in overall defense last year (3.34 GAA). The metrics on the Blackhawks are decent this season, but Vancouver’s high-flying offense should manage some goals in this matchup.
C2: Matt Duchene (C – DAL) | $4,000 DK, $6,100 FD
I’ll play Dallas’ Matt Duchene as his Stars take on the Sabres in Buffalo. Duchene is fourth on the team in scoring (three goals, two assists) and his 33.3% shooting percentage is second. Duchene centers Dallas’ potent third line, where he’s winged by Mason Marchment and Tyler Seguin. The trio also gets time on the second power-play unit, which will face Buffalo’s 27th-ranked penalty kill (72.73%).
W1: Andrei Svechnikov (RW – CAR) | $5,400 DK, $6,700 FD
The Hurricanes are in the midst of a five-game road trip. Their next stop is Edmonton to take on the Oilers. Edmonton’s defense is ranked 27th in GAA (2.68). They’re certainly not immune to defensive blunders, as they’ve already conceded 41 defensive zone giveaways during 5-on-5 play (seventh-most). They’re also dead last on the penalty kill at just 55%. Give me Carolina’s Andrei Svechnikov, who has four points (one goal, three assists) through four games. Their power play unit is 3-12 (25%), which is ninth in the NHL.
W2: Ivan Barbashev (C – VGK) | $5,300 DK, $6,400 FD
Vegas’ top line of Ivan Barbashev-Jack Eichel-Mark Stone has been lighting it up this season. Each forward has at least eight points through six games. I’ll ride with Barbashev (four goals, four assists) in my lineup. The Knights are playing the Kings tonight. Los Angeles has been a mid-tier defensive unit (18th, 3.17 GAA). I don’t have much in-depth analysis here, but this top line is humming, so I’ll play the cheapest option in Barbashev.
W3: Jonathan Huberdeau (LW – CGY) | $4,400 DK, $5,200 FD
The Flames host the Penguins tonight. Pittsburgh is shaping up to be a run-and-gun team this season. They’re third in 5-on-5 expected goals per 60 minutes (3.29) but also rank 31st in expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.29). We could see quite a few goals in this game, so I’ll back Calgary’s top scorer in Jonathan Huberdeau (three goals, three assists).
D1: Adam Fox (D – NYR) | DraftKings: $6,600/FanDuel: $7,000
In my opinion, it’s worth splurging on Adam Fox tonight when his Rangers travel to Montreal to take on the Canadiens. Fox has picked up right where he left off from his 73-point campaign a season ago (17 goals, 56 assists), as he has six helpers through five games played. On the surface, Montreal’s defense is a mid-tier 15th (3.00 GAA), but they’re dead last in both expected goals against per 60 minutes (3.54) and high-danger shots against (24) during 5-on-5 play. Fox should have his hand in a goal tonight, and maybe even light the lamp himself.
D2: Brandt Clarke (D – LAK) | DraftKings: $4,700/FanDuel: $5,600
The biggest beneficiary of the Drew Doughty (ankle) injury is Brandt Clarke. The Los Angeles defenseman has been elevated to the Kings’ top power-play unit, where he’s collected three of his four points this year. Bruce Cassidy doesn’t have Vegas’ penalty kill buzzing just yet, as they’re 28th in the league (69.23%). The Knights have conceded exactly four goals in each of their last three games, so I’ll fade them by backing Clarke.
G: Connor Ingram (G – UTA) | DraftKings: $8,000/FanDuel: $7,100
There are some decent goaltending options tonight, but if we’re looking to save a couple of bucks on a player with a high ceiling, Connor Ingram makes sense. The Utah netminder leads the league in wins (4-0-1). His overall numbers aren’t too great, as he owns a 3.29 GAA (39th) and .882 SV% (38th). However, this is a great matchup against an Ottawa offense ranked 29th in 5-on-5 expected goals per 60 minutes (2.09). Ingram’s primed to turn in another solid performance in front of his home crowd.
UTIL: Ross Colton (C – COL) | DraftKings: $5,500/FanDuel: $6,500
Let’s round out the lineup with Colorado’s Ross Colton as our util-man. The Avalanche’s top-line winger has been on fire to start the year, racking up a team-leading six goals in six games. He’s second on the team in shots on goal with 22. With Valeri Nichushkin (suspension) and Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder) out, Colton has emerged as a top contributor alongside Nathan MacKinnon. This Colorado offense has shown no signs of slowing down, as they’re scoring 3.5 goals per game (13th) while cashing 38.10% of their power-play chances (secondnd). Give me Colton as his Avalance take on the Kraken in Seattle.
