FREE 03/26 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 4-game NHL slate offers a mix of low totals and intriguing offensive potential, giving DFS players plenty to think about. The VAN @ NYI and NJD @ CHI matchups both feature modest 5.5 goal totals, with elite goaltenders like Ilya Sorokin and Thatcher Demko expected to keep scoring in check. These games could be ideal for targeting value plays or contrarian stacks if you’re looking to differentiate your lineup.

On the other hand, the BOS @ ANA and DAL @ EDM matchups bring higher 6.0 goal totals, making them prime spots for offense-heavy builds. Jake Oettinger facing off against Edmonton’s firepower adds an interesting wrinkle, while Boston’s strong two-way play could make them a popular target against John Gibson and Anaheim. With just four games on the schedule, nailing your goalie choice and stacking the right high-total game will be critical tonight.

Top Stacks

BOS PP1 ($19,200)

David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, Elias Lindholm

The BOS PP1 stack of David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, and Elias Lindholm offers a solid combination of projected production and efficiency. With a total salary of $19,200, the stack is projected for 35.0 points, resulting in a value of 1.82 pts/$1000. This positions it as a viable option for its cost relative to expected output. Ownership sits at an average of 16.8%, which is slightly elevated but reasonable given its strong performance metrics. Additionally, the optimal lineup rate of 17.6% indicates that this stack has a slightly positive leverage score (optimal rate > ownership), suggesting it could outperform expectations in lineup construction scenarios. Overall, the BOS PP1 stack provides a balanced mix of upside and efficiency with moderate ownership concerns.

EDM PP1 ($19,400)

Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins

The EDM PP1 stack of Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins offers a strong combination of projected production and value, with 32.2 projected points and a solid value of 1.66 pts/$1000. At a total salary of $19,400, this stack provides efficient upside relative to its cost. Its average ownership sits at 12.4%, which is moderately high but not overly prohibitive in large-field tournaments. Furthermore, the optimal lineup rate of 15.8% exceeds its ownership percentage, indicating that this stack has a slightly positive leverage opportunity and could outperform expectations relative to its popularity. Overall, this data suggests the EDM PP1 stack is a viable option for DFS lineups with strong potential for both point production and lineup optimization.

NJD PP1 ($22,300)

Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt

The NJD PP1 stack of Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt comes in at a total salary of $22,300 with a projected output of 38.0 points, resulting in a solid value of 1.70 pts/$1000. While the stack offers strong raw point potential, its average ownership of 22.2% suggests it will be highly utilized in DFS contests, which limits its leverage relative to the field. Furthermore, its optimal lineup rate of 14.4% falls below its ownership rate, indicating a potential overutilization compared to how often it lands in the most successful lineups. This makes the stack appealing for raw scoring upside but potentially less efficient from a game theory perspective due to its negative leverage (ownership exceeding optimal rate).

C Plays

Top Play: Nico Hischier ($7,400)

Nico Hischier stands out as a strong DFS option tonight with his $7,400 salary and favorable matchup against Chicago. The Blackhawks have struggled defensively all season, ranking near the bottom of the league in goals allowed per game and penalty kill efficiency. Hischier’s recent form is excellent, highlighted by a six-game point streak with four goals and three assists, including three power-play tallies. His role on New Jersey’s top line and power-play unit provides both floor (via consistent shot volume) and upside in this matchup, making him a solid target despite his elevated price tag.

The biggest concern here is ownership, as Hischier is projected to be rostered at 27.3%, significantly higher than the field average. While that kind of chalk can be risky in tournaments, it’s somewhat justified given his strong projection (12.47 DK points) and 15.9% optimal lineup rate. If you’re comfortable eating the chalk in cash games or smaller fields, he’s a safe option with upside. However, in large-field GPPs, consider leveraging the high ownership by pairing him with lower-owned Devils teammates or pivoting to similarly priced centers in less popular game environments.

Honorable Mentions

• Roope Hintz ($6,100)
• Wyatt Johnston ($7,000)
• Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($5,900)

W Plays

Top Play: David Pastrnak ($8,600)

David Pastrnak ($8,600) is in a prime spot tonight against Anaheim, a team that has struggled defensively all season. With a 17.3-point projection and ranking first in tournament appeal, Pastrnak offers both a strong floor and ceiling thanks to his elite shot volume and consistent offensive production. His 29.6% optimal lineup rate reflects how crucial he is to lineup construction on this slate, even at his hefty salary. The Ducks’ penalty kill sits near the bottom of the league, which only enhances the upside for Pastrnak given his role as the focal point of Boston’s top power play unit.

The main concern here is ownership, as Pastrnak projects to be rostered by 25.7% of the field—substantially higher than average. However, this chalk feels warranted considering his recent form (11 points in his last 10 games) and the favorable matchup against Anaheim’s porous defense. While he might not be the best option for leverage in tournaments, fading him entirely carries significant risk given his ability to break a slate with multi-goal upside. If you’re looking for differentiation, consider pairing him with lower-owned Bruins or running it back with an Anaheim skater to capture game correlation without sacrificing one of the night’s top plays.

Honorable Mentions

• Jesper Bratt ($7,300)
• Troy Terry ($5,400)
• Timo Meier ($7,600)

D Plays

Top Play: Quinn Hughes ($7,100)

Quinn Hughes ($7,100) is in a strong spot tonight against the Islanders, and his recent production backs up his high price tag. With 66 points in 55 games and a five-game point streak, Hughes continues to be one of the most consistent blueliners in DFS. His role as Vancouver’s power-play quarterback adds upside against an Islanders penalty kill that ranks middle-of-the-pack this season. While his 1.72x value doesn’t scream “must-play,” the fact that he appears in nearly 24% of optimal lineups shows how reliable he is in this salary range. At 12.21 projected DraftKings points, Hughes offers both a solid floor and ceiling for tournaments.

The biggest consideration here is ownership. At 15.7%, he’ll be one of the chalkier plays on the slate for defensemen, but it’s hard to argue against it given his offensive involvement and ability to rack up peripherals like blocked shots and shots on goal. The Islanders’ slower pace might cap game flow slightly, but Hughes’ elite role ensures he’ll have opportunities regardless of environment. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk, Hughes is worth locking into your lineup for stability with upside—especially if you’re paying up at defense tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Evan Bouchard ($6,800)
• Noah Dobson ($6,900)
• Jackson LaCombe ($4,600)

G Plays

Top Play: Jake Oettinger ($7,800)

Jake Oettinger ($7,800) is a strong option in net tonight despite the challenging road matchup against Edmonton. While the Oilers’ offense is undeniably dangerous, Oettinger has been in excellent form, coming off a 32-save shutout against Minnesota and riding a three-game winning streak. His value at 1.48x and 17.3% optimal lineup rate reinforce his viability at this salary, especially given his ability to deliver consistent DK points through saves and win potential. In two prior starts against Edmonton this season, he’s posted a 3.05 GAA and .897 save percentage—not ideal, but not disastrous considering the high-powered opponent.

The 23.3% ownership projection is high relative to the field average, but it’s understandable given his recent performances and reasonable price tag for a top-tier goalie. While he’s chalky for tournaments, the combination of shot volume he’s likely to face from Edmonton and his track record of steady production makes him worth consideration even in GPPs. If you’re looking to differentiate elsewhere in your lineup, Oettinger provides both floor and upside at an accessible salary point.

Honorable Mentions

• Thatcher Demko ($7,500)
• Jacob Markstrom ($8,200)
• Ilya Sorokin ($7,900)

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!