The NHL is back with a 10-game schedule tonight, providing us with a myriad of different ways to get in on the action. I’m heading the DFS route tonight, where I’ve compiled the nine-man roster you’ll find below.
This lineup is eligible for DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary competitions, but 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.
Tuesday’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Sam Bennett (C – FLA) | DraftKings: $6,000/FanDuel: $6,500
The Panthers draw a great matchup tonight against a Penguins side that’s 31st in GAA (3.58), 25th in SV% (.887) and 28th in high-danger shots against (98). I’ll lock in Sam Bennett as my top centerman.
Bennett is sneakily putting together a monster season, lighting the lamp 12 times and adding 11 assists in 24 games played. This Cats offense should explode tonight, as they’ve done so in their last three games, where they’ve scored 5.7 goals per game.
C2: Mikael Granlund (C – SJS) | DraftKings: $5,800/FanDuel: $7,300
The San Jose offense is on a heater right now, averaging 5.5 goals per game over their current 3-1-0 stretch of play. This offense runs through Mikael Granlund, who has 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) this year. His 74 shots on goal (SOG) trail only Tyler Toffoli‘s 80 on the team.
Granlund has contributed to 28 of the team’s 78 goals this year, which equates to 35.9% of their tallies. Let’s take a flier on Granlund and this Sharks offense to stay hot against the Capitals tonight.
W1: Kyle Palmieri (RW – NYI) | DraftKings: $5,000/FanDuel: $6,100
New York’s Kyle Palmieri is set up for a big night as he and the Isles take on a lowly Canadiens defense. Palmieri has logged 20 points this year. His points total and 10 goals each top New York’s roster.
Palmieri hasn’t been overly active in shooting the puck (56 SOG), but when he does, he typically finds success (17.9% shooting%). As I mentioned, Montreal’s defense is in shambles, ranking dead last in GAA (3.58) and 31st in SV% (.871).
W2: Ivan Barbashev (C – VGK) | DraftKings: $4,300/FanDuel: $6,500
All roads lead to a thrilling Western Conference clash in Sin City tonight between the Oilers and the Golden Knights. These are two bottom-third defenses and I’m expecting plenty of goals in this one.
So, why not lock in the Golden Knights’ top goalscorer, Ivan Barbashev (12G)? His 27 points are the second-most on the team. He’s also fourth on the team in SOG (45). This top line is a serious threat. They take on an Edmonton team that’s just 28th in team SV% (.884).
W3: Jonathan Huberdeau (LW – CGY) | DraftKings: $3,700/FanDuel: $5,300
I’ll round out my winger group with Calgary’s Jonathan Huberdeau. The natural centerman’s eight goals are the most on the roster. His 14 points trail only Nazem Kadri‘s 15 points. Mostly, this is about the matchup against a lowly Blue Jackets team.
After a respectable start to the year, Columbus is sinking toward the bottom of the league. They’re 30th in both GAA (3.39) and SV% (.878) while ranking 26th on the penalty kill (74.0%).
D1: Rasmus Andersson (D – CGY) | DraftKings: $6,400/FanDuel: $5,800
I’ll also ride with Calgary’s top defenseman in Rasmus Andersson. He has been an all-around great defenseman this season, making contributions both offensively and defensively.
Andersson is tied with Huberdeau in scoring (five goals, nine assists) and leads the league in blocked shots with 76 (3.04 blocks per game). This is another great matchup for Andersson to pick up DFS points on both ends of the ice.
D2: John Carlson (D – WAS) | DraftKings: $5,900/FanDuel: $6,100
The Sharks visit the nation’s capital tonight. I’m looking to fade their bottom-tier defense. I’ll do so by backing John Carlson. The veteran defenseman has amassed 19 points this year, courtesy of three goals and 16 helpers.
San Jose brings in the fifth-worst overall defense (3.15 GAA) and they’ve allowed the most high-danger shots against this year (107). Carlson’s primed for a big night on home ice.
G: Connor Hellebuyck (G – WPG) | DraftKings: $8,200/FanDuel: $8,400
I’m not messing around in net tonight and I’m backing the red-hot Connor Hellebuyck at home against the Blues. He’s putting together a Vezina-worthy season out of the gate, sitting at 15-4-0 (most wins) with a 2.11 GAA (second) and .928 SV% (second).
Hellebuyck’s three shutouts are the most in the NHL. Hellebuyck and the Jets will be looking to shut down a Blues offense that’s 29th in overall offense (2.5 goals per game) and 27th on the power play (15.8%).
UTIL: Lucas Raymond (LW – DET) | DraftKings: $4,700/FanDuel: $6,400
I’ll round out my lineup with Detroit’s Lucas Raymond. The Red Wings (10-11-3) have struggled this year, but Raymond hasn’t been the issue, posting a team-leading 25 points (seven goals, 18 assists).
The Red Wings winger has seen 13 of those points (one goal, 12 assists) come on the man advantage, and this is a favorable matchup against Boston’s 20th-ranked penalty kill (78.5%). With neither of these defenses being in great form, I think we could see a lot of scoring in this game. Raymond’s a sound choice to use as our wild card skater.