FREE 04/01 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

We’ve got a loaded 10-game NHL slate tonight, offering plenty of options for DFS lineups. The highest totals on the board come from BUF @ OTT, EDM @ VGK, and SJS @ ANA, all sitting at 6.5. These games should draw attention for stacking, especially with weaker goaltenders like James Reimer and Calvin Pickard confirmed to start. Meanwhile, matchups like WSH @ BOS and DET @ STL feature lower 5.5 totals, potentially leaning more defensive but still worth exploring for value plays.

Goaltending is another key factor to consider across the slate. Andrei Vasilevskiy (TBL) and Ilya Sorokin (NYI) face off in what could be a tightly contested game with a 6.0 total, while Juuse Saros (NSH) and Connor Hellebuyck (WPG) also stand out as high-upside options in net. On the flip side, targeting weaker goalies like Calvin Pickard or John Gibson could be a viable strategy in high-scoring environments. With so many games to choose from, focusing on game totals and goaltending matchups will be crucial to building strong lineups tonight.

Top Stacks

CBJ PP1 ($19,000)

Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Boone Jenner

The CBJ PP1 stack of Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, and Boone Jenner offers a solid projection of 37.5 points at a combined salary of $19,000, translating to a value of 1.97 pts/$1000. While the value is slightly below the 2.0 threshold often sought in DFS, it remains viable given the concentrated scoring potential of a power-play unit. The stack’s average ownership sits at 12.4%, which is moderately high, yet its optimal lineup rate is only 9.3%, suggesting it may be slightly over-owned relative to its likelihood of being the best-performing stack. This disparity highlights a potential inefficiency in roster construction for those prioritizing leverage over raw projection. Overall, this stack provides decent upside but carries moderate ownership risk relative to its optimal rate.

TBL PP1 ($22,200)

Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Brandon Hagel

The TBL PP1 stack of Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, and Brandon Hagel offers a solid combination of projected production and relative leverage in NHL DFS contests. With a total salary of $22,200, the stack is projected for 38.8 points, yielding a value of 1.75 pts/$1000, which is competitive for high-priced stacks. The average ownership across the three players sits at 6.6%, while the optimal lineup rate is slightly higher at 7.4%, indicating positive leverage and potential upside relative to expected usage. This makes the stack an appealing option for tournaments where balancing ceiling with ownership is critical. As a power-play unit (PP1), this trio benefits from concentrated scoring opportunities, further enhancing its appeal in lineups targeting high-end production potential.

MTL PP1 ($16,500)

Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Patrik Laine

The MTL PP1 stack of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Patrik Laine offers a solid projection of 30.5 points with a value of 1.85 pts/$1000 based on their $16,500 combined salary. While the average ownership is modest at 7.3%, the stack’s optimal lineup rate of 6.9% suggests it is slightly less likely to appear in the highest-scoring lineups relative to its popularity, indicating a fairly balanced risk-reward profile. As a power-play unit, this stack provides concentrated scoring upside, but its efficiency will depend on maximizing opportunities given its slightly below-average optimal rate compared to ownership.

C Plays

Top Play: Nick Suzuki ($5,300)

Nick Suzuki ($5,300) stands out as one of the top center options on this slate, offering strong value at his salary with a 2.07x projection and a solid 10.06% optimal lineup rate. His matchup against Florida is intriguing given the Panthers’ fast-paced style, which often leads to high-event games—ideal for DFS scoring. Suzuki has been red-hot with 25 points in his last 17 games, including significant power-play contributions, which makes him even more appealing given Florida’s mediocre penalty kill. At this price point, you’re getting exposure to Montreal’s top line and power play in a game that could see plenty of scoring opportunities.

The main consideration here is ownership, as Suzuki is projected to be rostered at 12.54%, making him one of the more popular plays on the slate. While that level of chalk might normally raise concerns in tournaments, it feels justified in this case due to his combination of recent production and affordability. His ceiling is strong enough to warrant inclusion despite the elevated ownership, especially since he ranks first in tournament value among centers on this slate. If you’re looking for a mid-tier option with both floor and upside, Suzuki fits the bill nicely.

Honorable Mentions

• Leon Draisaitl ($8,500)
• Sean Monahan ($5,000)
• Macklin Celebrini ($6,700)

W Plays

Top Play: Kirill Marchenko ($5,700)

Kirill Marchenko ($5,700) stands out as a solid mid-range option in tournaments tonight. He’s been heating up offensively with four points in his last three games, including two multi-point outings, and his role on Columbus’ top-six and power play unit keeps him firmly in the mix for upside. The matchup against Nashville is neutral on paper, but Marchenko’s consistent shot volume (182 shots in 69 games this season) provides a steady floor to go along with his goal-scoring potential. At 1.98x value and appearing in 8.6% of optimal lineups, he profiles as a strong play for his salary.

The key consideration here is his projected ownership at 11.2%, which is relatively high compared to the field average of 2.4%. While that level of chalk can be concerning for GPPs, it feels justified given Marchenko’s recent form and affordability at this price point. If you’re looking for leverage elsewhere, there are likely better options given his popularity tonight, but fading him entirely could be risky considering his combination of floor and ceiling. He’s not a must-play in tournaments but is certainly viable if he fits your roster construction.

Honorable Mentions

• Nikita Kucherov ($8,700)
• David Pastrnak ($8,400)
• Alex Ovechkin ($7,800)

D Plays

Top Play: Zach Werenski ($7,500)

Zach Werenski comes in as the top-ranked defenseman for tournaments tonight, and while his $7,500 salary is hefty, his production this season justifies the price tag. He’s averaging over a point per game with 72 points in 71 games, and his role as Columbus’ primary offensive driver from the blue line gives him both a strong floor and ceiling. The matchup against Nashville isn’t overly concerning, as the Predators rank middle of the pack defensively and have struggled against high-volume shooters from the back end. With Werenski’s consistent shot generation—261 shots on goal this season—and heavy power-play usage, he’s well-positioned to deliver value on his 15.2 DK point projection.

At 19.5% projected ownership, Werenski will be one of the chalkier plays on this slate, but it’s chalk that feels warranted given his consistency and upside. He appears in nearly 13% of optimal lineups and carries a solid value rating at 2x his salary. While his ownership limits leverage in tournaments, fading him entirely could be risky considering how involved he is in Columbus’ offense. If you’re looking to differentiate elsewhere without sacrificing production at defense, Werenski remains an excellent anchor for your lineup construction tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Mikhail Sergachev ($5,600)
• Jake Sanderson ($6,600)
• Victor Hedman ($6,000)

G Plays

Top Play: Elvis Merzlikins ($7,800)

Elvis Merzlikins ($7,800) is shaping up to be a key decision point on this slate. While his projected 14.1 DK points and strong 1.81x value make him an appealing option in a vacuum, his recent form leaves plenty of room for concern. Over his last three starts, he’s posted an underwhelming .864 save percentage with a bloated 4.46 GAA, which doesn’t inspire confidence even in a winnable home matchup against Nashville. The Predators aren’t an offensive powerhouse, but they’ve been opportunistic enough to rank middle-of-the-pack in goals per game over the past month. Merzlikins’ heavy workload and Columbus’ playoff aspirations may keep him viable, but the risk is notable given his recent struggles.

The biggest challenge with Merzlikins is balancing his high ownership (18.5%) with the inherent volatility of the goaltender position. At this level of chalk, he’ll need to deliver a strong performance to justify inclusion in tournaments, where leverage is key. While his tournament rank (1st) and optimal lineup rate (8.6%) suggest he’s well-positioned for success at this salary, the crowded ownership makes it difficult to gain much edge by rostering him. If you believe Nashville struggles to generate quality chances here, Merzlikins has a path to value—but given his shaky recent numbers and popularity, fading him could be a sharp move in GPPs if you’re comfortable taking on some risk elsewhere at goalie.

Honorable Mentions

• Adin Hill ($8,000)
• Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7,900)
• Karel Vejmelka ($7,900)

Good luck today! 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!