FREE 02/05 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s three-game NHL slate offers a mix of intriguing matchups and goalie situations that could shape DFS decisions. The highest total on the board comes from Edmonton at Chicago (6.5), where Calvin Pickard and Arvid Soderblom are confirmed in net. With both teams struggling defensively, this game has clear shootout potential and should draw plenty of attention for stacks. Meanwhile, Boston visits the Rangers in a matchup with a 6.0 total, featuring Igor Shesterkin at home against Joonas Korpisalo—likely creating a more defensive environment.

The late game between Montreal and Los Angeles has the lowest total of the night at 5.5, with Jakub Dobes starting for the Canadiens against Darcy Kuemper for the Kings. While it’s not as appealing from a scoring perspective, this matchup could offer value plays if you’re looking to differentiate your lineup. With just three games to work with, finding the right balance between high-ceiling stacks and secondary options will be key to success tonight.

Top Stacks

EDM PP1 ($24,500)

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard

The EDM PP1 stack of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard is a high-upside option with a projected 47.8 points and a solid value of 1.95 pts/$1000, making it one of the most efficient expensive stacks available. With a combined salary of $24,500, it carries significant opportunity cost but justifies it with an optimal lineup rate of 28.0%, which is notably higher than its average ownership of 19.7%. This positive leverage indicates that the stack may outperform its popularity in tournaments, providing an edge for DFS players looking to maximize upside relative to the field.

NYR PP1 ($19,300)

Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, Mika Zibanejad

The NYR PP1 stack of Artemi Panarin, J.T. Miller, and Mika Zibanejad is projected for 35.5 points at a combined salary of $19,300, yielding a value of 1.84 pts/$1000. This is a solid but not elite value compared to typical DFS benchmarks for high-salary stacks. The stack carries an average ownership of 24.1%, which is relatively high, and its optimal lineup rate of 21.7% indicates it is slightly over-owned in relation to its likelihood of appearing in the best possible lineup. While the power-play correlation among these players offers upside for tournaments, the ownership-to-optimal ratio suggests the stack may lack leverage relative to other options in this price range.

C Plays

Top Play: Connor McDavid ($9,100)

Connor McDavid ($9,100) is the clear top play on this slate, and for good reason. He’s projected for 17.8 DraftKings points, leads all players in optimal lineup percentage at 39.7%, and has a favorable matchup against Chicago. The Blackhawks are one of the weaker defensive teams in the league, ranking near the bottom in most key metrics, including goals allowed and penalty kill efficiency. McDavid’s elite shot volume (148 shots in 47 games) and power-play role make his floor incredibly secure, while his ceiling is unmatched given his ability to rack up multi-point performances with ease. At this price point, he offers strong value at nearly 2x his salary.

The 26.4% ownership is high but entirely justified given McDavid’s consistency and upside in this spot. While he’ll be chalky in tournaments, fading him comes with significant risk considering how often he appears in optimal lineups (nearly 40%). If you’re looking to differentiate elsewhere, there are ways to build unique lineups around McDavid rather than avoiding him altogether. With the Oilers’ offense clicking and Chicago offering little resistance defensively, McDavid should be a cornerstone piece for both cash games and GPPs tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• J.T. Miller ($6,100)
• Connor Bedard ($5,900)
• Anze Kopitar ($5,200)

W Plays

Top Play: Leon Draisaitl ($8,800)

Leon Draisaitl ($8,800) stands out as a top-tier option on tonight’s slate with an elite combination of floor, ceiling, and matchup appeal. The Oilers face the Blackhawks, a team that has struggled defensively all season and ranks near the bottom in goals allowed per game. Draisaitl is projected for 17.4 DK points and appears in 30.9% of optimal lineups, highlighting his strong potential for both cash games and tournaments. His ability to contribute across categories—thanks to his power-play role and shot volume (181 shots in 53 games)—makes him one of the safest high-priced plays on the board. Additionally, his four-game point streak (14 points in his last nine games) underscores his current form heading into this favorable spot.

At 17.6% projected ownership, Draisaitl is moderately chalky but not overwhelming compared to other top-tier options. Given his massive upside and steady production, this level of ownership feels entirely justified in tournaments, especially considering the matchup against Chicago’s porous defense. While he won’t provide leverage against the field, fading him comes with significant risk due to his consistency and involvement in Edmonton’s offense alongside Connor McDavid. If you’re looking to pay up for a stud with both safety and upside, Draisaitl checks all the boxes tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Artemi Panarin ($7,300)
• David Pastrnak ($8,500)
• Adrian Kempe ($6,500)

D Plays

Top Play: Drew Doughty ($4,400)

At $4,400, Drew Doughty offers solid value on this slate, projecting for 9.1 DraftKings points with a strong 2.06x value multiplier. His matchup against Montreal is appealing, as the Canadiens rank near the bottom in goals allowed per game and penalty kill efficiency. Doughty’s role as a top-pair defenseman and power play quarterback ensures consistent ice time and opportunities to contribute offensively. With his 17.9% optimal lineup rate, he’s one of the better mid-range defensive plays available, offering both a stable floor through peripherals like blocked shots and upside tied to his power play exposure.

That said, his 24.7% projected ownership makes him one of the chalkier options on this slate, which could limit his appeal in tournaments if you’re looking for leverage. While the matchup and price point justify some of that popularity, it’s worth considering pivoting to lower-owned alternatives in GPPs if you’re aiming for differentiation. Still, in cash games or smaller-field contests, Doughty’s combination of minutes, role, and value make him a reliable option to build around at defense.

Honorable Mentions

• Seth Jones ($4,600)
• Evan Bouchard ($6,600)
• Darnell Nurse ($4,700)

G Plays

Top Play: Darcy Kuemper ($8,200)

Darcy Kuemper ($8,200) is in a strong spot tonight as the Kings host Montreal, a middle-of-the-pack offense averaging 2.92 goals per game. Kuemper has been steady all season with a 2.16 GAA and .920 save percentage, and he’s coming off a solid performance against Carolina where he stopped 26 of 28 shots in a win. With the Kings listed as heavy home favorites, Kuemper is well-positioned for the win bonus, which bolsters his DFS appeal. His projection of 12.47 DK points and appearance in over 27% of optimal lineups highlight his combination of floor and ceiling at this price point.

That said, his expected ownership of 24.6% is worth considering in tournaments. While it’s high relative to the field average, it makes sense given his consistency and matchup against an average Canadiens offense. If you’re playing cash games or smaller fields, Kuemper’s reliability makes him a strong option to anchor your lineup. In larger GPPs, however, it may be worth exploring pivots with similar upside but lower ownership if you’re looking to differentiate your build. Ultimately, Kuemper profiles as a safe play with clear upside in this favorable spot.

Honorable Mentions

• Igor Shesterkin ($8,000)
• Jakub Dobes ($7,200)
• Calvin Pickard ($8,400)

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