FREE 02/26 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 3-game NHL slate offers a compact but intriguing set of matchups, all with identical 5.5 goal totals. The Jets visit the Senators in the opener, where Connor Hellebuyck and Linus Ullmark are confirmed to start between the pipes. With two solid goaltenders and a moderate total, this game could lean toward a more defensive script, but don’t overlook top-line options if you’re looking for concentrated scoring upside.

Later in the evening, the Devils face off against the Avalanche and the Canucks take on the Kings. Both games also sit at 5.5 totals, with Mackenzie Blackwood and Jake Allen confirmed for New Jersey-Colorado, while Kevin Lankinen and David Rittich get the nod in Vancouver-Los Angeles. The late games might provide some sneaky DFS value, particularly with secondary stacks or power-play units against weaker netminders like Allen or Lankinen. It’s a smaller slate, so nailing goalie selection will be key to standing out in contests tonight.

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($23,300)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas offers a strong ceiling with a projected 44.5 points at a total salary of $23,300, translating to a value of 1.91 pts/$1000. While the value is slightly below elite thresholds for DFS stacks, the high projection solidifies its appeal for tournaments. Ownership is relatively high at 28.7%, which aligns closely with its optimal lineup rate of 25.8%, indicating it is a popular but efficient option in lineups. This stack’s combination of star power and correlation makes it a viable choice, though its popularity may limit leverage in larger-field GPPs.

WPG PP1 ($20,400)

Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Nikolaj Ehlers

The WPG PP1 stack of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Nikolaj Ehlers is projected for 35.3 points at a total salary of $20,400, resulting in a solid value of 1.73 pts/$1000. With an average ownership of 17.1%, this stack carries moderate popularity but offers strong leverage with a high optimal lineup rate of 23.1%. This combination of above-average projection, efficient value, and favorable optimal rate makes it a viable option in DFS contests, particularly given its potential to outperform its ownership relative to its likelihood of being in the optimal lineup.

C Plays

Top Play: Nathan MacKinnon ($8,500)

Nathan MacKinnon ($8,500) is in a prime spot tonight against the Devils, and his combination of floor, ceiling, and consistency makes him an appealing option despite high ownership (37.1%). He leads all players in tournament rank and appears in 35% of optimal lineups, underscoring his potential to deliver in this matchup. With a projection of 17.7 DK points and solid value at 2.08x, MacKinnon’s elite shot volume and power play role keep him relevant even at this elevated salary. The Devils present a challenging opponent, but MacKinnon has been matchup-proof all season as the NHL’s leading scorer.

The high ownership may give some pause for tournaments, but it’s chalk that looks justified given his upside and reliability. If you’re fading him, you’ll need strong pivots elsewhere to make up for the potential production he brings. MacKinnon’s ability to dominate both on even strength and with the man advantage makes him difficult to leave out of lineups in this spot. While he won’t differentiate your build, his raw point potential keeps him firmly in play as one of the top overall options on the slate.

Honorable Mentions

• Mark Scheifele ($6,600)
• Jack Hughes ($7,500)

W Plays

Top Play: Kyle Connor ($7,300)

Kyle Connor ($7,300) stands out as a top-tier option in DFS tonight, and for good reason. His offensive consistency has been exceptional, with 10 points (4 goals, 6 assists) over his last seven games and an impressive 187 shots on net this season. Facing an Ottawa team that struggles defensively and plays at a faster pace, the game environment suits Connor’s skill set perfectly. His projection of 13.64 DK points leads all wingers on the slate, and his strong power-play role against Ottawa’s middle-of-the-pack penalty kill adds to his upside. At a value of 1.87x and appearing in 30.4% of optimal lineups, he offers both a high floor and ceiling at this salary.

The biggest question here is ownership. At 22.9%, Connor will be one of the chalkiest plays on the slate, but it feels justified given his elite shot volume (10 shots in his last outing alone) and consistent production. While fading him could create leverage in tournaments, it’s hard to argue against locking him into your lineups given how central he is to Winnipeg’s offense. If you’re playing cash games or single-entry contests, Connor is a priority spend-up option who checks every box in terms of matchup, form, and opportunity.

Honorable Mentions

• Martin Necas ($7,000)
• Adrian Kempe ($6,900)

D Plays

Top Play: Cale Makar ($7,800)

Cale Makar ($7,800) stands out as a premium defenseman option in tonight’s slate, and his high ownership (24.8%) reflects that. While the matchup against New Jersey isn’t necessarily soft—the Devils are a solid defensive team—Makar’s elite role in Colorado’s offense keeps him in play regardless of opponent. His projection of 14.9 DraftKings points and appearance in 27.4% of optimal lineups highlight his combination of safety and upside, especially given his ability to contribute across categories like shots and blocked shots. At 1.91x value, he’s one of the stronger plays at his position despite the steep salary.

The chalk here feels warranted due to Makar’s consistent floor and ceiling potential, but it does raise questions for tournament players looking to differentiate their lineups. If you’re comfortable eating the ownership, Makar is an excellent anchor for cash games or GPP builds with contrarian stacks elsewhere. However, if you’re fading him, consider that his high optimal percentage suggests there aren’t many other defensemen who can match his upside on this slate. Ultimately, whether or not you roster him depends on your risk tolerance and how much leverage you want in tournaments.

Honorable Mentions

• Dougie Hamilton ($5,900)
• Jake Sanderson ($5,700)

G Plays

Top Play: Connor Hellebuyck ($8,000)

Connor Hellebuyck ($8,000) stands out as a top goaltending option on this slate, and for good reason. He’s been in excellent form, winning seven straight starts while posting a solid 2.13 GAA and .917 save percentage over that stretch. While those numbers are slightly below his season averages (2.04 GAA, .925 SV%), they’re still elite, especially considering the favorable matchup against an Ottawa team missing key forwards like Brady Tkachuk and Josh Norris. The Senators rank 22nd in goals per game (2.79), further boosting Hellebuyck’s appeal in this spot.

At 22.1% projected ownership, Hellebuyck will be chalky, but it’s hard to argue against it given his combination of floor and ceiling at $8,000. His strong value (1.84x) and appearance in 32.4% of optimal lineups underline his importance on this slate. While the high ownership may limit his leverage in tournaments, he’s a rock-solid cash game anchor with clear upside for GPPs if Ottawa struggles offensively as expected. If you’re fading him in tournaments, make sure you have a compelling pivot because this chalk seems justified.

Honorable Mentions

• MacKenzie Blackwood ($8,200)
• David Rittich ($7,800)

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