FREE 03/06 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a busy nine-game NHL slate tonight, and there’s plenty to dig into for DFS. The highest total on the board belongs to the Sabres-Lightning matchup (6.5), where Tampa Bay’s Andrei Vasilevskiy will look to hold off a Buffalo team that can score but struggles defensively. Another 6.5 total comes from Edmonton, where Connor McDavid and the Oilers host the Canadiens in what could be a high-scoring affair with Sam Montembeault and Stuart Skinner between the pipes.

For those targeting tighter games, the Bruins-Hurricanes (5.5) and Jets-Flyers (5.5) both feature solid defensive setups and less scoring upside but may offer value plays in goal with Pyotr Kochetkov and Samuel Ersson starting. Meanwhile, Juuse Saros looks like one of the top goalie options as Nashville hosts Seattle in another low-total game (5.5). With a mix of high-event matchups and defensive grinds, lineup construction will come down to finding the right balance between stacking high-total games and leveraging strong goalie performances.

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($25,300)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas offers a strong ceiling with a combined projection of 50.1 points and a solid value of 1.98 pts/$1000, despite its high total salary of $25,300. With an average ownership rate of 12.7%, the stack is moderately popular but not overly chalky, which keeps it viable in tournaments. Its optimal lineup rate of 13.6% slightly exceeds its ownership, suggesting it provides marginal leverage relative to the field. As a power-play unit (PP1), this stack benefits from concentrated scoring potential in high-leverage situations, making it an efficient option for DFS lineups while maintaining competitive differentiation in GPPs.

EDM PP1 ($23,400)

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard

The EDM PP1 stack of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard comes with a high projected point total of 46.6 and a solid value of 1.99 pts/$1000, making it one of the most productive yet expensive stacks on the slate at $23,400. With an average ownership rate of 13.8%, it carries moderate popularity relative to other high-end stacks, while its optimal lineup rate of 11.3% suggests a slightly lower-than-ownership likelihood of appearing in the most efficient lineups. This indicates that while the stack offers elite upside, its cost and ownership require careful consideration in terms of lineup construction and differentiation in tournaments.

TBL PP1 ($22,000)

Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, Brandon Hagel

The TBL PP1 stack of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Brandon Hagel offers a solid combination of upside and value, with a projected total of 41.6 points and a value of 1.89 pts/$1000. While the salary is high at $22,000, this stack remains efficient relative to its cost. The average ownership of 10.4% indicates moderate popularity in DFS contests, while an optimal lineup rate of 9.7% suggests that it has a slightly lower-than-average likelihood of appearing in top lineups compared to its ownership level. Overall, this stack provides strong raw projection potential but carries some risk in terms of leverage given its relatively balanced ownership-to-optimal rate ratio.

C Plays

Top Play: Connor McDavid ($8,500)

Connor McDavid is always a top-tier option, and tonight’s matchup against Montreal further solidifies his appeal. The Canadiens rank in the bottom third of the league in goals allowed per game and penalty kill efficiency, making this a prime spot for McDavid to capitalize on his power play role. His projection of 17.12 DraftKings points leads most slates, and he appears in over 20% of optimal lineups—indicative of both a strong floor and ceiling. At $8,500, his value (2.01x) is solid for an elite player, especially considering his consistent shot volume and ability to rack up multi-point performances.

The ownership at 16.4% makes him chalky but not prohibitively so, particularly given his massive upside in this matchup. While there’s no leverage here for tournaments, it’s hard to argue against including McDavid in your builds when he checks every box: elite projection, favorable game environment, and reliable production. If you’re fading him, it’s likely due to salary constraints rather than concerns about performance or ownership. In cash games or single-entry formats, he feels like a cornerstone piece worth prioritizing.

Honorable Mentions

• Nathan MacKinnon ($9,500)
• Leon Draisaitl ($8,400)
• Aleksander Barkov ($6,900)

W Plays

Top Play: Travis Konecny ($5,400)

Travis Konecny makes for a strong mid-range wing option in tournaments tonight at just $5,400. His projection of 10.1 DK points and value rating of 1.87x stand out, particularly given his moderate ownership of 4.0%, which is slightly above field average but still low enough to provide leverage. Winnipeg has been vulnerable to skilled wingers, and Konecny’s top-six role with significant power play time puts him in a good position to capitalize on this matchup. With an 11.4% optimal lineup rate, he offers a nice combination of upside and affordability.

The ownership context here is key—Konecny isn’t sneaking under the radar entirely, but he’s far from chalky, making him an appealing option in GPPs. His ability to contribute across categories provides a stable floor while maintaining tournament-winning upside if he finds the scoresheet. At this salary, he fits well into balanced builds while offering exposure to Philadelphia’s offense against a beatable opponent. If you’re looking for a mid-tier wing with upside at reasonable ownership, Konecny checks the boxes tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Nikita Kucherov ($8,800)
• Sam Reinhart ($7,500)
• David Pastrnak ($9,000)

D Plays

Top Play: Cale Makar ($8,200)

Cale Makar ($8,200) stands out as a strong play on this slate thanks to his elite offensive ceiling and favorable matchup against the Sharks. San Jose has been one of the league’s weakest defensive teams, allowing the second-most goals per game and struggling on the penalty kill. Makar’s role as Colorado’s top power-play quarterback puts him in a prime position to exploit those weaknesses. With 68 points in 62 games this season, including five assists during his current four-game streak, his ability to generate both floor (192 shots, 98 blocks) and upside makes him worth considering even at his high salary.

At an expected ownership of 13.0%, Makar will be one of the more popular plays on the slate, but the chalk feels justified given his consistent production and matchup. He appears in 14.1% of optimal lineups, which aligns well with his ownership projection and suggests he’s not over-owned relative to his value. While you’ll need to differentiate elsewhere in tournaments, Makar’s combination of opportunity and reliability makes him a cornerstone piece for both cash games and GPP builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Zach Werenski ($7,200)
• Seth Jones ($4,500)
• Evan Bouchard ($6,500)

G Plays

Top Play: Samuel Ersson ($7,400)

Samuel Ersson ($7,400) offers an intriguing tournament option in net despite a challenging matchup against the high-scoring Winnipeg Jets. While his recent performance against Calgary was concerning, getting pulled after allowing three goals on five shots, his season numbers suggest some bounce-back potential. At 2.91 GAA and an .890 save percentage across 35 appearances, Ersson’s metrics aren’t stellar, but his modest salary and 1.56x value projection make him viable for GPPs. The Jets’ potent offense (3.47 goals per game) increases risk, but it also boosts upside if Ersson can hold his own and rack up saves in what should be a busy night.

At just 2.7% projected ownership, Ersson provides solid leverage in tournaments given his appearance in 10.1% of optimal lineups. His low ownership aligns with the field average, so he won’t be a contrarian dart throw but still avoids chalk territory. The Flyers being at home adds a slight edge, though it’s far from a slam-dunk situation given Winnipeg’s firepower. Ultimately, Ersson is best suited for those looking to differentiate their lineups while embracing some volatility in search of upside at this price point.

Honorable Mentions

• Andrei Vasilevskiy ($8,100)
• Jake Oettinger ($8,400)
• Karel Vejmelka ($7,600)

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!