FREE 02/22 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 10-game NHL slate offers plenty of opportunities for DFS lineup construction, with a mix of tight defensive matchups and some higher-scoring potential. The Avalanche-Predators and Blackhawks-Blue Jackets games both carry 6.0 totals, making them intriguing targets for offense. On the flip side, lower totals like Kraken-Panthers and Stars-Devils (both at 5.5) could put more emphasis on goaltending, especially with Sergei Bobrovsky and Jake Allen in net for their respective teams.

Speaking of goalies, there are some key matchups to keep an eye on. Juuse Saros at home against Colorado will likely see plenty of volume, while Jeremy Swayman is in a strong spot as the Bruins host Anaheim in Boston. For value seekers, Elvis Merzlikins against Chicago or Eric Comrie in St. Louis could be worth considering given their matchups and projected workloads. With such a wide range of game environments tonight, stacking decisions and goalie selection will be crucial to navigating this deep slate effectively.

Top Stacks

BOS PP1 ($20,100)

David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, Elias Lindholm

The BOS PP1 stack of David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand, and Elias Lindholm offers a solid combination of projected points and value for DFS contests. With a total salary of $20,100, the stack delivers 39.0 projected points, equating to a respectable value of 1.94 pts/$1000. Ownership is moderate at 9.5%, providing some leverage compared to its optimal lineup rate of 12.6%, which suggests it has a slightly higher chance of appearing in the best lineups than its popularity implies. As a high-upside power-play unit with efficient pricing relative to its ceiling, this stack balances strong production potential with reasonable ownership levels, making it a viable option in both cash games and tournaments.

COL PP1 ($23,900)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas carries a projected point total of 46.2 with a value of 1.93 pts/$1000, making it a high-upside yet expensive option at a combined salary of $23,900. The average ownership sits at 14.5%, reflecting moderate popularity in tournaments, while its optimal lineup rate is 9.1%, indicating it is slightly over-owned relative to its probability of being the best stack. As a power-play unit (PP1), this stack leverages concentrated scoring potential on special teams, but its efficiency as a DFS play depends on balancing its cost and ownership with other lineup decisions.

NSH PP1 ($20,800)

Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, Jonathan Marchessault

The NSH PP1 stack of Filip Forsberg, Roman Josi, and Jonathan Marchessault carries a total salary of $20,800 with a solid projection of 38.5 points, translating to a value of 1.85 pts/$1000. This value is respectable for a high-salary power-play stack and indicates potential upside relative to its cost. The stack’s average ownership sits at 6.1%, which is moderately low, providing some leverage in tournaments. Additionally, the optimal lineup rate of 8.2% slightly outpaces its ownership, suggesting it is marginally underutilized in DFS builds. Overall, this stack offers a balanced combination of ceiling and leverage while maintaining efficiency relative to its price point.

C Plays

Top Play: Nathan MacKinnon ($8,500)

Nathan MacKinnon ($8,500) is in a prime spot tonight against Nashville, making him a high-priority play despite his elevated ownership (19.7%). His 18.41-point projection leads all centers, and his strong 2.17x value rating reflects the elite floor/ceiling combination he brings to the table. MacKinnon has been a consistent force this season, and with Nashville ranking in the bottom half of the league in expected goals against per 60 minutes, he’s set up for success in both even-strength and power-play situations. His ability to generate shot volume and offensive chances makes him a reliable anchor for lineups.

While his near-20% ownership might give pause in tournaments, it’s hard to argue against him as chalk worth eating given his optimal lineup appearance rate (14.92%) and top tournament rank at the position. If you’re looking for leverage, consider pairing him with less popular Avalanche skaters or unique secondary stacks to differentiate your build. Ultimately, MacKinnon’s combination of elite production and matchup appeal makes him one of the safest plays on the slate—and one with clear upside to dominate tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Auston Matthews ($8,200)
• Jack Eichel ($7,800)
• Jack Hughes ($7,600)

W Plays

Top Play: David Pastrnak ($8,700)

David Pastrnak ($8,700) is in a prime spot tonight against Anaheim, making him one of the top plays on the slate. He’s riding a 13-game point streak with 26 points during that span and continues to generate elite shot volume, averaging over four shots per game this season. The Ducks rank among the league’s worst defensive teams, particularly on the penalty kill, which further boosts Pastrnak’s appeal given his prominent role on Boston’s top power play unit. His strong projection (18.71 DK points) and 19.3% optimal lineup rate highlight both his floor and ceiling potential despite the elevated salary.

At 17.4% projected ownership, Pastrnak will be one of the chalkiest plays on the slate, but it’s hard to argue against it in this matchup. His combination of consistent production and upside justifies the popularity, especially in cash games or small-field tournaments where eating chalk is less risky. In larger GPPs, you might consider pivoting to lower-owned options if you’re looking for leverage, but fading him entirely comes with significant risk given his ability to dominate weaker opponents like Anaheim.

Honorable Mentions

• Brad Marchand ($5,700)
• Kyle Connor ($7,100)
• Kirill Marchenko ($6,200)

D Plays

Top Play: Roman Josi ($6,900)

Roman Josi ($6,900) is an intriguing option on tonight’s slate, offering both a solid floor and ceiling at his price point. His 13.2 DK point projection is among the highest for defensemen, and his strong value (1.91x) makes him a viable play in all formats. Josi’s role as the centerpiece of Nashville’s power play is key here, especially against Colorado’s penalty kill that has been inconsistent at times this season. He’s also contributing across multiple categories, averaging nearly three shots on goal and close to two blocks per game, which helps stabilize his floor even if he doesn’t find the scoresheet.

At 9.5% projected ownership, Josi will be one of the more popular defensemen on the slate, but the chalk feels warranted given his upside and consistent involvement in Nashville’s offense. His appearance in 12.3% of optimal lineups reinforces his viability as a strong tournament play despite the higher ownership. If you’re building around expensive forwards or goalies, Josi provides reliable production without completely breaking your salary cap. While it’s not an ideal matchup against Colorado’s strong overall team defense, Josi’s ability to generate points through volume and power-play opportunities keeps him firmly in play tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Cale Makar ($7,900)
• Zach Werenski ($7,600)
• Brent Burns ($4,600)

G Plays

Top Play: Joey Daccord ($6,900)

Joey Daccord ($6,900) is an intriguing option in goal for tournaments, despite his relatively high ownership (7.9%). The matchup against Florida is far from easy, as the Panthers generate plenty of offense and rank near the top of the league in expected goals per game. However, Daccord’s value at this price point stands out—he’s projected for 11.7 DK points with a solid 1.69x value multiplier and appears in nearly 9% of optimal lineups. His steady play this season (2.49 GAA, .915 save percentage) gives him a reasonable floor, while the potential for a high-volume save performance keeps his ceiling intact in a tough road environment.

The elevated ownership does make him chalkier than most low-cost goalie options, but it feels justified given his combination of price, role security, and recent form. Seattle’s defense has been fairly stingy at limiting high-danger chances lately, which could help mitigate Florida’s firepower and give Daccord a path to success even if he faces heavy shot volume. If you’re looking for a mid-range goalie with upside in tournaments, he fits the bill—but be mindful that his popularity limits leverage compared to lower-owned options at similar price points.

Honorable Mentions

• Jeremy Swayman ($8,400)
• Anthony Stolarz ($7,600)
• Adin Hill ($8,000)

Good luck! Make sure to check the Lineup Optimizer for latest updates before lock. Visit DFS Hero for our full suite of DFS tools including the Lineup Optimizer, Contest Simulator, Player Projections, and Ownership Projections. Use code HEROPLAY15 to get 15% off your first month!