With the NHL rolling out a 10-game schedule tonight, there’s no shortage of ways to get in on the action. I’m heading the DFS route in this article, where I’ve locked in the nine-man roster that you’ll find below. This lineup is playable in DraftKings’ classic $50,000 salary format, but I’ve also listed each player’s price at 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 & Advice
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Dylan Larkin (C – DET) | DraftKings: $5,200/FanDuel: $6,700
Detroit’s Dylan Larkin has been on a heater over the last three games, racking u9 four goals and an assist during the stretch. The star centerman also rides a five-game point streak (4G, 3A). He’s up to 16 goals (33rd) and 17 assists (94th) on the year, and he leads Detroit’s roster in SOG (108). It’s a nice matchup for Larkin, as he draws a volatile Sens club that has allowed eight goals in their last two games. Ottawa has faced the 11th-most high-danger shots (143) this season.
C2: Matt Duchene (C – DAL) | DraftKings: $4,900/FanDuel: $6,400
Dallas’ Matt Duchene is off to a solid start in 2025, as he’s logged four points (1G, 3A) in two games since the turn of the calendar. The veteran centerman continues to have a resurgence in Dallas, as he leads the team in scoring (15G, 22A) and power-play points (3G, 8A). Up next is a Rangers squad that’s in absolute shambles, going 3-8-0 in their last 11 games. More importantly, the Blue Shirts allow 3.6 goals per contest over the stretch. I expect the Stars to put up big numbers in the Big Apple tonight.
W1: Gabriel Vilardi (C – WPG) | DraftKings: $5,600/FanDuel: $6,800
Winnipeg’s top line continues to produce this season, and Gabriel Vilardi is compiling a fantastic campaign. The 25-year-old is up to 36 points in the year, which has come via 18 goals (16th) and 18 helpers (78th). He has points in nine of his last 12 games, and he’s amassed 16 points (7G, 9A) over the 12-game stretch. The Jets take on the Preds tonight, and Vilardi scored two power-play goals against them in a 2-0 victory on December 30th. I like the winger at this price of $5,600.
W2: Michael Bunting (LW – PIT) | DraftKings: $4,200/FanDuel: $5,200
My first of many players in tonight’s Blue Jackets vs. Penguins game is Michael Bunting. Bunting’s fourth on the Penguins in goals scored (12), and I like his chances to score against a Jackets side that’s dead last in GAA (3.48) and 31st in SV% (.876). Columbus has had an average of 8.0 combined goals per game during their current 4-2-1 stretch, so there should be plenty of scoring in this contest. I think Bunting gets in on the action.
W3: Tanner Pearson (LW – VGK) | DraftKings: $3,000/FanDuel: $4,100
Coach Bruce Cassidy is trying to find the right fit for the top-line winger to play alongside Jack Eichel and Mark Stone. It appears that it’s Tanner Pearson‘s turn to try to fill the role of Ivan Barbashev (IR). Pearson has eight goals and 10 assists this year, but I think we could see him explode now that he’s up top with the big boys. Pearson boasts a 16.3% shooting %, and he gets a matchup against the Sharks, who are 17th in SV% (.894) and have faced the third-most high-danger shots (169). It’s a low-risk price for a guy who could have a huge game.
D1: Zach Werenski (D – CBJ) | DraftKings: $8,500/FanDuel: $7,400
My big splurge purchase tonight is Columbus’ Zach Werenski. The D-man is putting together another monster year, and he’s now second in scoring (12G, 33A) among fellow defensemen. Werenski will be looking to rack up the points against a Pittsburgh defense that’s 31st in GAA (3.41) and has faced the eighth-most high-danger shots (147).
D2: Erik Karlsson (D – PIT) | DraftKings: $5,700/FanDuel: $6,100
I’ll also ride with Pittsburgh’s top defenseman, which is Erik Karlsson. The two-time Norris Trophy winner is having a decent year, where he’s scored 28 points on four goals and 24 assists. He’s logged 100 SOG, which is the second-most on the roster. As I mentioned above, Columbus is just 31st in SV% (.876), so Karlsson may get a chance to light the lamp tonight. Additionally, the Jackets are just 27th on the PK (73.50%), which should provide the power-play blue-liner more opportunities to score.
G: Lukas Dostal (G – ANA) | DraftKings: $7,200/FanDuel: $7,700
I’m heading the value route in net tonight, and I’m riding with Anaheim’s Lucas Dostal (or John Gibson, whichever starts). The Ducks have been getting spectacular goaltending this year, as the Dostal-Gibson duo have combined for a .906 SV%, which is the third-best in the NHL. Dostal is tasked with slowing down a visiting Calgary offense that’s just 29th in scoring (2.6 GPG), 31st in shooting % (8.88%), and 19th on the power play (20.18%). The Ducks have won four of their last five games, and I love them tonight as underdogs at home. Let’s back Dostal to win and turn in a solid outing.
UTIL: Evgeni Malkin (C – PIT) | DraftKings: $4,700/FanDuel: $5,900
With how my budget worked out, I had the opportunity to add one more player from the Columbus vs. Pittsburgh Metropolitan Division showdown. I’m taking Evgeni Malkin (8G, 24A), which will give us chances to double-up in scoring with his linemate, Michael Bunting. Geno hasn’t been having a huge season, but I like this matchup against Columbus’ abysmal defense. Also, there will potentially be six Russians on the ice in this game, so this could be the x-factor that drives Geno to showcase that he’s still the class of Russians playing in the NHL. I think he’s worth a flier at this price.
