The NHL rolls out a 10-game schedule tonight, providing us with plenty of different ways to get in on the action. I’m heading the DFS route for tonight’s slate, and I’ve listed the nine-man lineup I’m playing in one of DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary competitions. I’ve also provided each player’s price for FanDuel’s $55,000 salary equivalent competition.
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: Robert Thomas (C – STL) | DraftKings: $5,100/FanDuel: $4,700
Robert Thomas is back in the Blues’ lineup. He’s coming off of a one-assist night against the Wild in his return. The centerman has seven points (one goal, six assists) in eight games played this year, making him nearly a point-per-game guy. Thomas and the Blues draw a San Jose team entering the second night of a back-to-back. They’re 25th in defense (3.19 GAA) this season.
C2: Anthony Cirelli (C – TBL) | DraftKings: $5,000/FanDuel: $6,400
I’ll lock in Tampa’s Anthony Cirelli as my other centerman tonight. The Bolts travel to Ohio to take on the floundering Blue Jackets, who have lost seven of their last nine games (2-6-1). Over the nine-game stretch, they’re conceding 4.1 goals per contest.
Cirelli is off to a fantastic start, ranking second on Tampa’s roster in scoring (five goals, 12 assists). Tampa’s offense is primed for a monster night. I expect Cirelli to get in on the action.
W1: Anders Lee (LW – NYI) | DraftKings: $5,300/FanDuel: $6,100
I’m not typically looking to back too many Islanders skaters, but I think this could be a good spot tonight. The Isles draw a Red Wings club that has lost three straight games (0-2-1), giving up 15 goals over the stretch. I’ll take Anders Lee, who leads the Islanders in goals (seven) and shots on goal (SOG) with 63, as well as ranking third overall in points (13).
W2: Connor McMichael (C – WAS) | DraftKings: $5,200/FanDuel: $8,100
Connor McMichael has been electric this season, and he’s one of the main reasons the Capitals boast the league’s top offense (4.3 goals per game). With Alex Ovechkin (15 goals) sidelined, look for McMichael to slot in on the top line at winger.
The natural centerman has 12 goals this year. His 19 points are the third-most on Washington’s roster. The Capitals take on an Avalanche side that cannot buy a save, ranking dead last in team SV% (.858).
W3: Brett Howden (C -VGK) | DraftKings: $3,200/FanDuel: $5,000
I think Vegas’ Brett Howden could pop off tonight. The third-line winger has sneakily lit the lamp seven times this year, which is third on the Golden Knights’ roster. Vegas dropped a 3-0 game to Toronto last night, but they get a matchup against Ottawa tonight. The Sens have lost three straight games (0-2-1), giving up 14 goals over the span.
D1: Adam Fox (D – NYR) | DraftKings: $5,800/FanDuel: $5,900
Adam Fox is becoming one of my favorite defensemen to play in DFS, simply because he’s almost always good for at least one assist when he steps onto the ice. The New York defenseman has 15 helpers this year — 11th-most in the league. The Blue Shirts take on the Flames tonight. Calgary is 26th on the penalty kill (75%).
That’s where Fox does his best work, as seven of his assists have come on the man advantage.
D2: Moritz Seider (D – DET) | DraftKings: $5,700/FanDuel: $5,800
Speaking of picking up points on the power play, Moritz Seider is primed for some scoring chances against the Islanders’ 31st-ranked penalty kill (67.50%). Seider has 10 points (one goal, nine assists) this season, four of those assists have come on the power play. His 32 SOG are the most amongst Detroit’s defensive core and fourth overall on the roster.
G: Igor Shesterkin (G – NYR) | DraftKings: $8,200/FanDuel: $7,700
It’s unconfirmed who will be in net for the Rangers tonight, but I’m riding with either Igor Shesterkin (2.80 GAA) or Jonathan Quick (DraftKings: $8,200/FanDuel: $7,700) and his 0.91 GAA. The duo have been excellent this year, combining to log the best team SV% (.923) in the NHL. Whoever’s between the pipes gets a favorable matchup against a Flames offense ranked 25th in scoring (2.6 goals) and 27th in shooting percentage (8.89%).
UTIL: Tim Stutzle (C -OTT) | DraftKings: $6,500/FanDuel: $7,100
I’ll round out my lineup with Ottawa’s Tim Stutzle. The Sens host the Golden Knights tonight. Vegas’ defense hasn’t looked sharp this season. They’re allowing 3.0 goals per game (21st) while ranking 20th in SV% (.888).
Meanwhile, Stutzle leads Ottawa in scoring with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists). His 39 SOG are the fourth-most on the roster. With the way both of these defenses are playing, I think this game could turn into a barnburner.