FREE 04/23 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

We’ve got a tight 3-game NHL slate tonight, and while the options are limited, there’s still plenty to break down for DFS. The highest total on the board comes from the Stars-Avalanche matchup (6.5), which should draw plenty of attention with two potent offenses squaring off in Colorado. Jake Oettinger and Mackenzie Blackwood are confirmed in net, and while both goalies have upside, this game could turn into a shootout if the pace picks up.

The other two matchups come in at 6.0 totals but bring different dynamics to consider. Montreal heads to Washington with Sam Montembeault and Logan Thompson confirmed as starters, making this an interesting spot for value plays given both teams’ defensive inconsistencies. Meanwhile, Edmonton visits Los Angeles in what could be a tightly contested game between Stuart Skinner and Darcy Kuemper. With Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl always capable of breaking a slate, this late-night showdown offers plenty of appeal for top-tier stacking options.

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($23,200)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas is a high-upside option with a projected point total of 47.6 and a solid value of 2.05 pts/$1000 given its $23,200 salary. Its average ownership of 25.7% indicates it will be relatively popular among DFS players, but its optimal lineup rate of 30.9% suggests it is slightly underutilized in relation to its potential to appear in the best lineups. This combination of strong projection and favorable optimal rate relative to ownership makes it a compelling choice for both cash games and tournaments, though the elevated ownership may warrant consideration in larger-field contests where differentiation is key.

WSH PP1 ($19,200)

Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, Dylan Strome

The WSH PP1 stack of Alex Ovechkin, John Carlson, and Dylan Strome carries a total salary of $19,200 and is projected for 35.9 points, translating to a solid value of 1.87 pts/$1000. With an average ownership of 18.6%, this stack is moderately popular in the field but slightly underperforms in terms of its optimal lineup rate at 16.6%. While it offers strong upside given its power-play correlation, the slight gap between ownership and optimal rate suggests it may be slightly overutilized relative to its efficiency in lineups. This makes it a viable option but not necessarily a standout leverage play without further context.

LAK PP1 ($17,500)

Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, Quinton Byfield

The LAK PP1 stack of Adrian Kempe, Kevin Fiala, and Quinton Byfield offers a strong combination of projected production and value for its $17,500 salary. With 32.0 projected points, the stack delivers a solid value of 1.83 pts/$1000, making it an efficient option relative to cost. Its average ownership of 14.6% is closely aligned with its optimal lineup rate of 14.7%, indicating that it is neither underutilized nor over-leveraged in DFS contests. This balance between ownership and optimal rate makes the stack a viable choice for both cash games and tournaments, as it provides strong upside without excessive chalk risk relative to its projection.

C Plays

Top Play: Nathan MacKinnon ($9,300)

Nathan MacKinnon ($9,300) is the top tournament option on tonight’s slate, and it’s easy to see why. He’s projected for 19.4 DraftKings points, leads all players with a 43.3% optimal lineup rate, and brings strong value at 2.1x despite the high salary. The matchup against Dallas isn’t ideal—they’re a strong defensive team—but MacKinnon has already shown his ability to produce in this series with five points (three goals, two assists) through two games. His elite shot volume and power-play role give him both a high floor and massive ceiling, making him worth the investment even at heavy ownership.

At 30.1% projected ownership, MacKinnon will be one of the chalkiest plays on the slate, but this is chalk that feels justified given his upside and consistency. He’s coming off a dominant regular season where he racked up 116 points in 79 games and has carried that momentum into the playoffs. While you’ll need to differentiate elsewhere in your lineup to account for his popularity, fading MacKinnon entirely is a risky proposition given how central he is to Colorado’s offense. In tournaments, he’s a core building block who can anchor your lineup in any contest format.

Honorable Mentions

• Connor McDavid ($8,800)
• Leon Draisaitl ($8,500)

W Plays

Top Play: Evander Kane ($2,500)

At just $2,500, Evander Kane is a standout value play on this slate, especially given his top-six role and power-play exposure. Projected for 6.63 DraftKings points with a 2.65x value rating, he offers an enticing mix of upside and affordability. The matchup against the Kings isn’t ideal, as LA tends to limit scoring chances with their strong defensive structure. However, Kane’s role alongside Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and on the Oilers’ second power-play unit gives him access to Edmonton’s elite offensive environment. At this price point, his floor is reasonable, and his ceiling is amplified by the potential for power-play production.

The ownership projection of 24% does make Kane one of the chalkier options on the slate, but it’s hard to argue against it given his salary relief and optimal lineup appearance rate (14.16%). While the high ownership limits his appeal in smaller-field tournaments where uniqueness matters more, he remains a viable option in larger contests due to how much flexibility he provides for roster construction. If you’re fading him in GPPs, consider doing so only in lineups that already differentiate elsewhere because this chalk feels justified given the context.

Honorable Mentions

• Alex Ovechkin ($8,000)
• Adrian Kempe ($6,200)

D Plays

Top Play: Cale Makar ($7,800)

Cale Makar ($7,800) is the premier defensive option on this slate, and his numbers back up the hype. Projected for 16.8 DraftKings points with a strong 2.15x value rating, he tops the tournament rankings at his position and appears in an impressive 36.3% of optimal lineups. The matchup against Dallas isn’t a cakewalk, but Makar’s elite offensive role, particularly on the power play, keeps his floor and ceiling intact. With career highs in goals (30) and points (92) this season, plus momentum from a strong playoff opener where he logged a power-play assist, he’s as reliable as it gets for DFS purposes.

At 28.1% projected ownership, Makar will be one of the chalkiest plays on the slate, but it’s likely justified given his upside and consistency. His ability to contribute across multiple categories—shots on goal, blocked shots, and power-play production—makes him a safe anchor for both cash games and tournaments despite the popularity. If you’re looking to differentiate in GPPs, consider pairing him with lower-owned Avalanche skaters or contrarian stacks elsewhere to balance your lineup while still benefiting from Makar’s elite profile.

Honorable Mentions

• John Carlson ($5,300)
• Thomas Harley ($5,200)

G Plays

Top Play: Darcy Kuemper ($7,800)

Darcy Kuemper ($7,800) stands out as a strong tournament option despite his high projected ownership (24.5%). The matchup against Edmonton is less than ideal given the Oilers’ firepower, but Kuemper’s consistent regular-season form—posting a 2.02 GAA and .921 save percentage—provides confidence in his ability to handle the challenge. His 25.7% optimal lineup rate highlights his viability at this salary, offering solid value (1.75x) for a goaltender with clear upside in a potentially high-event game environment.

While the elevated ownership does limit leverage, it’s not unwarranted given Kuemper’s combination of price, projection (13.63 DK points), and overall consistency. Edmonton’s offensive talent creates risk, but it also increases Kuemper’s path to a ceiling performance through potential save volume. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk in net, Kuemper remains one of the top plays on this slate. However, for those looking to differentiate in tournaments, pivoting off him could make sense given his popularity relative to other options in goal.

Honorable Mentions

• MacKenzie Blackwood ($8,000)
• Logan Thompson ($8,200)

Good luck tonight! 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!