If you’re looking to get some skin in the game tonight, then you’ve come to the right place. The NHL is rolling out a nine-game slate, and I’ve selected nine players who I believe are primed for a big night on the ice.
This DFS 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.
Thursday’s NHL DFS Picks & Advice
The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.
C1: Filip Chytil (C – VAN) | DraftKings: $6,000/FanDuel: $5,600
I was hoping to get a cheaper price on Filip Chytil, but even at $6,000, I think he has plenty of upside. Chytil has scored one point in each of his first two games with the Canucks (one goal, one assist), and he’s currently driving the second line, playing alongside Brock Boeser and Drew O’Connor.
Chytil is also on the top power-play unit, which draws a San Jose penalty kill ranked 25th in the NHL (75.76%). Overall, the Sharks are dead last in both GAA (3.42) and high-danger shots against (236).
C2: Pierre-Luc Dubois (C – WAS) | DraftKings: $4,900/FanDuel: $6,200
The Capitals are looking to build on a 6-3 win over the Panthers on Tuesday. I love this matchup for Pierre-Luc Dubois and his second line, as they take on a floundering Flyers team. Philly enters the night amid a 1-5-1 stretch, where they’re allowed 3.4 goals per game.
They’re now 27th in overall defense (3.09 GAA), 32nd in SV% (.878) and 20th on the penalty kill (77.86%). Look for Dubois to have another big night.
W1: Sam Reinhart (C – FLA) | DraftKings: $6,900/FanDuel: $8,000
Florida’s Sam Reinhart is quietly compiling another big-time season. He has ripped 31 goals this season, which is the third-most in the NHL. His 60 points are the 13th-most in the league. I think it’s worth splurging on the superstar winger, as he takes on a St. Louis defense ranked 18th in GAA (2.83) and 29th on the penalty kill (71.64%).
Reinhart, who’s averaging 2.7 shots on goal per game (SOG/G), should get some looks tonight against the Blues.
W2: William Eklund (LW – SJS) | DraftKings: $5,300/FanDuel: $6,100
I’m going to take a shot on William Eklund tonight. He is currently on the first line, as well as occupying a spot on San Jose’s top power-play unit. He enters the night with 38 points (10 goals, 28 assists) across 50 games played.
The Sharks host a Canucks team that is still ranked just 31st in SV% (.885) this season. With all of the ice time Eklund’s getting, I think he’s worth a flier.
W3: Cole Sillinger (C – CBJ) | DraftKings: $4,400/FanDuel: $5,900
The injury to Kirill Marchenko has allowed Cole Sillinger to jump onto Columbus’ top line. At this price, I think it’s worth playing the winger, who has a respectable 26 points (nine goals, 17 assists) in 49 games played.
Sillinger is also averaging 2.2 SOG/G and can easily clear that number with this first-line opportunity tonight. Columbus hosts a Utah team ranked 15th in both expected goals against per 60 minutes (2.99) and SV% (.897).
D1: Filip Hronek (D – VAN) | DraftKings: $4,800/FanDuel: $5,000
Keeping with the theme, Vancouver’s Filip Hronek has been elevated to the top power-play unit due to Quinn Hughes getting hurt. Hronek gets a matchup against an abysmal San Jose defense tonight, so he should have his hand in a goal or two.
Hronek is up to 16 points (two goals, 14 assists) in 32 games played. He’s also averaging 1.1 blocked shots per contest.
D2: Ivan Provorov (D – CBJ) | DraftKings: $4,600/FanDuel: $5,700
The other Blue Jacket skater I have in my lineup is Ivan Provorov. With the injury concerns surrounding Zach Werenski, Provorov is primed to excel in his role as the top defenseman. Provorov has only 24 points (five goals, 19 assists), but he went for a goal and an assist in Werenski’s first full-time absence against the Sabres last time out.
Provorov also scored a goal against the Stars in the contest where Werenski left early. Look for Provorov to continue shooting the puck — seven shots on goal (SOG) in the last two games — and making offensive contributions while given the chance.
G: Logan Thompson (G – WSH) | DraftKings: $7,800/FanDuel: $7,900
Being that we can snag Logan Thompson at a sub-$8,000 price tag, I think this is a steal. Thompson is putting together a monster season, ranking third in wins (24-2-4), while sitting third in both GAA (2.18) and SV% (.923).
Thompson takes on a Flyers bunch that’s 1-5-1 in their last seven games and who have been shut out three times during their current 0-3-1 stretch.
UTIL: Jonathan Drouin (LW – COL) | DraftKings: $5,200/FanDuel: $6,300
Let’s round out our lineup with Colorado’s Jonathan Drouin, who is emerging as a very solid top-six option for the Avs this season. The winger has played in only 22 games, but he’s averaging a point per game with six goals and 16 assists.
Drouin boasts an 18.8% shooting rate and will be ripping shots on a Calgary defense ranked a modest 17th in GAA (2.79). They’re also 28th on the penalty kill (72.08%). Drouin is currently occupying a spot on Colorado’s dangerous first-unit power play.
