FREE 04/17 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 7-game NHL slate offers plenty of DFS intrigue with a mix of high-scoring potential and some standout goaltending matchups. The PHI-BUF and TBL-NYR games lead the way with 6.5 totals, making them prime spots to target offensive stacks. Igor Shesterkin in net for the Rangers adds an interesting wrinkle, as he could temper Tampa Bay’s scoring upside while still facing enough volume to rack up saves. Meanwhile, Joseph Woll is confirmed for the Leafs at home against Detroit in a game with a 6.0 total, giving Toronto skaters some appeal in what could be a favorable matchup.

On the lower-scoring side, keep an eye on the CAR-OTT and CGY-LAK matchups, both sitting at 5.5 totals. Frederik Andersen and Linus Ullmark face off in Ottawa, which could limit offensive production but might make either goalie worth considering in GPPs if they see enough shots. Similarly, Dan Vladar and Darcy Kuemper square off in Los Angeles late tonight, capping off the slate with what projects as more of a defensive battle. With several games expected to be close on paper, finding value plays and targeting power-play opportunities will be key to building strong lineups tonight.

Top Stacks

TOR PP1 ($23,800)

Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner

The Toronto PP1 stack of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner is projected for 41.4 points with a value of 1.74 pts/$1000 on a combined salary of $23,800. This makes it a high-upside option, though not the most efficient in terms of value compared to cheaper stacks. The stack’s average ownership is 9.4%, which is moderately low for a top-tier power-play unit, providing some leverage in tournaments. Additionally, its optimal lineup rate of 13.3% exceeds the ownership percentage, suggesting the stack is slightly underutilized relative to its potential ceiling. Overall, this combination of moderate ownership and strong optimal rate makes the TOR PP1 stack a viable option for DFS lineups prioritizing upside with reasonable leverage.

BUF PP1 ($19,800)

Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, Alex Tuch

The BUF PP1 stack of Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Alex Tuch carries a total salary of $19,800 with a strong projection of 37.3 points, yielding a solid value of 1.88 pts/$1000. This level of efficiency places the stack in a competitive range for DFS lineups. With an average ownership of 13.1%, it is moderately popular but not overly chalky, providing some leverage opportunities in larger contests. However, its optimal lineup rate of 12.5% slightly trails its ownership percentage, suggesting it may be marginally over-owned relative to its likelihood of appearing in the top lineup. Overall, this stack offers strong upside but requires careful consideration in relation to contest size and roster construction due to its ownership-to-optimal rate balance.

PIT PP1 ($19,500)

Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell

The PIT PP1 stack of Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell offers a solid combination of projected production and reasonable value. With a total salary of $19,500, the stack is projected for 35.9 points, yielding a value of 1.84 pts/$1000, which is competitive for higher-priced stacks. Its average ownership sits at 12.2%, aligning closely with its optimal lineup rate of 11.2%, indicating the stack is fairly efficient in terms of risk-reward balance without being overly chalky. This makes it a viable option for both cash games and GPPs, though its optimal rate suggests it may not be an under-the-radar play relative to its ownership levels.

C Plays

Top Play: Auston Matthews ($9,500)

Auston Matthews is in a strong spot tonight against Detroit, making him a top-tier option despite his hefty $9,500 salary. His projection of 16.91 DK points and appearance in 18.6% of optimal lineups underline both his high floor and ceiling. Matthews has been a consistent offensive force for Toronto, and the matchup against Detroit’s middle-of-the-pack defense offers plenty of scoring potential. While his value at 1.78x isn’t elite, it’s still solid for a player with his upside, especially considering his heavy involvement on the top power play unit.

At 12.9% projected ownership, Matthews will be one of the more popular plays on the slate, but the chalk feels justified given his elite scoring ability and secure role in all situations. If you’re looking to differentiate your lineup in tournaments, you’ll need to surround him with lower-owned options. However, fading him entirely carries significant risk given how often he lands in optimal lineups. Matthews’ combination of shot volume, goal-scoring prowess, and favorable matchup makes him a cornerstone piece for both cash games and GPPs tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Sidney Crosby ($7,500)
• Bo Horvat ($6,200)

W Plays

Top Play: Kevin Fiala ($6,000)

Kevin Fiala ($6,000) stands out as a strong option tonight against Calgary, particularly given his recent form and consistent role on the power play. With four consecutive multi-point games and 25 power-play points on the season, Fiala has been a key driver of the Kings’ offense. His shot volume (239 shots over 80 games) provides a stable floor, while his ability to produce in high-leverage situations boosts his ceiling. At $6,000, his value rating of 1.93x is solid for tournaments, and his 14.08% optimal lineup rate suggests he has legitimate upside in this spot.

The one drawback here is ownership—Fiala’s projected 10.1% rate makes him relatively chalky compared to the field average of 3.4%. However, this level of popularity feels justified given his production and matchup against a Calgary team that ranks middle-of-the-pack defensively. While he might not offer significant leverage in large-field tournaments, he’s still an excellent play if you’re looking for a reliable mid-range winger with both floor and upside. Consider pairing him with other Kings skaters to maximize correlation in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Tage Thompson ($7,300)
• Mitch Marner ($6,900)

D Plays

Top Play: Rasmus Dahlin ($6,400)

Rasmus Dahlin ($6,400) stands out as a strong option on tonight’s slate, especially given his offensive upside and matchup against the Flyers. Philadelphia has struggled defensively this season, ranking near the bottom in goals allowed per game and penalty kill efficiency. Dahlin’s role on Buffalo’s top power play unit is particularly valuable here, as he’s tallied six power-play points in his last seven games. With 12.6 DK points projected and an optimal lineup rate of 14.4%, his combination of floor and ceiling at this salary makes him a viable play in both cash games and tournaments.

The main concern with Dahlin is his elevated ownership (17.6%), which is significantly higher than the field average. While chalky defenders can sometimes be worth fading, Dahlin’s recent production—four multi-point efforts in seven games—justifies the popularity to an extent. If you’re building GPP lineups, consider pairing him with lower-owned Sabres stacks to differentiate while still capitalizing on his upside. Ultimately, his offensive consistency and favorable matchup make him one of the more appealing blue-line options despite the high ownership tag.

Honorable Mentions

• MacKenzie Weegar ($6,100)
• Erik Karlsson ($4,900)

G Plays

Top Play: Jet Greaves ($7,500)

Jet Greaves ($7,500) offers an intriguing mix of recent form and value as he takes the net for Columbus against the Islanders. Over his last four starts, Greaves has been nothing short of stellar, boasting a 4-0-0 record with a microscopic 0.75 GAA and .976 save percentage. While the Blue Jackets are out of playoff contention, this is still a home game where Greaves should see plenty of volume against a middling Islanders offense ranked 22nd in goals per game. At 1.91x value and appearing in 17% of optimal lineups, he’s a strong option at his salary, especially given his floor from shot-stopping potential.

That said, his projected ownership of 14.8% is considerably higher than the field average for goalies (3.4%), making him chalky for tournaments. While that level of popularity is justified by his recent dominance and affordable price tag, it does limit his leverage appeal in large-field GPPs. Still, if you’re looking for stability at goalie without breaking the bank, Greaves fits the bill nicely—just be aware that you may need to differentiate elsewhere in your lineup to avoid overlapping with the field.

Honorable Mentions

• Darcy Kuemper ($8,300)
• Frederik Andersen ($8,200)

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