If you’re looking to get some skin in the game for tonight’s 14-game NHL slate, then you’ve come to the right place. Below, I’ve listed the nine-man DFS roster that I’m playing in one of DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary competitions. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel’s $55,000 salary equivalent. Here’s who I project to have a big night on the ice.
Thursday’s NHL DFS Picks & Advice
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Robert Thomas (C – STL) | DraftKings: $6,000/FanDuel: $6,500
Yeah, I think the cat’s out of the bag with Robert Thomas. It wasn’t too long ago when we could snatch him up for around $5,000. However, with the way the top-line centerman is playing, combined with the matchup against the Sharks, I think he’s worth a flier at this price.
Thomas has been on fire this month, logging nine points (3G, 6A) in four games. He’s up to 19 points (5G, 14A) in just 17 games played this year, making him more than a point-per-game guy. Thomas will be looking to contribute against a Sharks side that’s 0-3-0 in their last three games, conceding 4.7 goals per contest over the stretch.
C2: Dylan Strome (C – WSH) | DraftKings: $6,400/FanDuel: $6,900
Even without Alex Ovechkin on his wing, Dylan Strome continues to fill up the stat sheet this year. Stomer’s up to 35 points this year, which is 15th in the NHL. He’s logged nine goals, and his 26 helpers are the sixth-most in the league. Strome and the Caps take on a Blue Jackets team that’s regressed to being one of the worst defenses in the NHL. They’re 31st in both GAA (3.43) and SV% (.872), while sitting 26th in high-danger shots against (107).
W1: Patrik Laine (LW – MTL) | DraftKings: $5,700/FanDuel: $6,500
Patrick Laine is back in the Montreal lineup, and he’s provided a much-needed boost. The winger has four points (3G, 1A) in four games since returning from injury. He draws a very favorable matchup against a Penguins team that’s dead last in GAA (3.60) and 26th in SV% (.886). This is a game featuring two of the league’s worst defenses, so the goals should be plentiful here. Look for Laine to contribute.
W2: Teuvo Teravainen (LW – CHI) | DraftKings: $4,200/FanDuel: $4,800
The Blackhawks notched their first win under interim coach Anders Sorensen on Monday, beating the Rangers 2-1. They’ll try to make it two in a row when they take on the Islanders tonight. Obviously, Chicago’s offense (2.4 GPG, 31st) hasn’t been great this year. However, I think it’s worth playing Teuvo Teravainen for one simple reason: the power play matchup. Teravainen leads the team in power-play goals (4) with nine man-advantage points. The Hawks will be looking to score on a New York PK that’s dead last in the NHL at 65.62%.
W3: Aliaksei Protas (C – WSH) | DraftKings: $3,500/FanDuel: $6,000
It’s time to start paying attention to this Belarusian winger, Aliaksei Protas. With Ovi out, Protas has climbed onto Washington’s top line, where he’s playing alongside the above-mentioned Strome and Tom Wilson. Protas has 24 points (9G, 15A) this year, all of which have come during 5-on-5 play. Columbus hasn’t been sharp during even-strength play, ranking 27th in GAA (2.73) and 26th in high-danger shots against (68). Look for Protas to have a big night in Columbus tonight.
D1: Mike Matheson (D – MTL) | DraftKings: $5,900/FanDuel: $5,600
Montreal’s Mike Matheson has the potential to contribute both offensively and defensively tonight when his Habs host the Penguins. The veteran d-man has 15 points this year, which have come via two goals and 13 assists. All of the anti-Pittsburgh stats under the Laine section apply here as well, so I think we should see Matheson add a point or two tonight. On the defensive side, Matheson has been a puck-blocking machine this year, ranking 19th in the league with 62 blocked shots.
D2: Colton Parayko (D – STL) | DraftKings: $5,600/FanDuel: $5,700
The other Blues player that I’ll add to my lineup tonight is defenseman Colton Parayko. Like Matheson, he gets a favorable draw to contribute both offensively and defensively. Parayko is fifth in the NHL in blocked shots (76) this year, and his Blues are hosting a Sharks side that’s 12th in SOG (850). Offensively, Parayko, who has 15 points (5G, 10A) this year, has notched a point in three straight games (1G, 2A) and takes on one of the league’s worst defenses in San Jose.
G: Jake Oettinger (G – DAL) | DraftKings: $8,400/FanDuel: $8,600
Let’s not mess around in net tonight, let’s lock in Dallas’ Jake Oettinger, as the Stars host the lowly Predators. Oettinger has looked sharp this year, going 14-6-0 (second-most wins) with a 2.43 GAA (ninth) and a .912 SV% (11th). The Dallas netminder is tasked with stopping the league’s worst offense, a Nashville squad that’s 32nd in both scoring (2.2 GPG) and shooting% (7.57%), while sitting 21st on the power play (18.39%).
UTIL: Ivan Barbashev (C – VGK) | DraftKings: $4,300/FanDuel: $6,600
I don’t love the matchup for Ivan Barbashev tonight against the Jets. However, I do love this price. Barbashev and this Vegas top line featuring Jack Eichel and a healthy Mark Stone continue to light it up. Barbashev leads the team with 13 goals (20th in the NHL), and his 28 points (34th) are the second-most on the team. Winnipeg’s tough defensively, but at this price of just $4,300 I think it’s well worth a shot on the winger to light the lamp.
