FREE 03/22 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 6-game NHL slate offers a mix of intriguing matchups and some key decisions for DFS lineups. The Avalanche-Canadiens game (6.0 total) stands out as one of the more appealing spots, with Colorado’s offensive firepower facing off against Sam Montembeault in net. Meanwhile, the Red Wings and Golden Knights also carry a 6.0 total, and Vegas at home with Adin Hill in goal could make for an interesting target against a Detroit team that’s been inconsistent defensively.

On the other side of the spectrum, we’ve got some lower-total games that could turn into defensive battles. The Maple Leafs-Predators matchup (5.5 total) features two strong goaltenders in Joseph Woll and Juuse Saros, making it less appealing for stacking but potentially valuable for contrarian plays. Similarly, the Senators-Devils game (5.5 total) might not scream offense, but Linus Ullmark in net for Ottawa could give New Jersey’s top skaters some upside. Keep an eye on how you balance high-floor plays with exposure to those higher-scoring environments tonight!

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($23,500)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Valeri Nichushkin is projected for 44.5 points with a total salary of $23,500, resulting in a value of 1.89 pts/$1000. While this value is solid for a high-salary stack, the average ownership of 21.4% is relatively elevated, which may limit its leverage in tournaments. Additionally, the optimal lineup rate of 18.0% falls slightly below its ownership rate, indicating it could be overutilized relative to its likelihood of being optimal. This stack provides elite upside due to its concentration of scoring potential on the power play but comes with efficiency concerns given its current ownership and value metrics.

NJD PP1 ($19,500)

Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt

The NJD PP1 stack, consisting of Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, and Jesper Bratt, projects for 34.5 points with a salary of $19,500, resulting in a solid value of 1.77 pts/$1000. This value is competitive for high-salary stacks, making it an efficient choice for DFS lineups. The stack carries an average ownership of 9.1%, which is relatively moderate and provides leverage given its optimal lineup rate of 14.0%. The gap between ownership and optimal rate suggests this stack offers strong upside potential relative to its popularity, making it an appealing option for tournaments where differentiation is key. Overall, the NJD PP1 stack combines strong projection with favorable leverage metrics in the DFS context.

TOR PP1 ($22,700)

Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner

The TOR PP1 stack of Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner is a high-upside option with a total projected point output of 40.6 and a solid value of 1.79 pts/$1000 based on their combined $22,700 salary. Despite its relatively high cost, the stack’s optimal lineup rate of 13.4% significantly outpaces its average ownership of 8.8%, suggesting it offers strong leverage in tournaments. As a power-play-focused stack, its concentrated scoring potential enhances its appeal in DFS formats where ceiling outcomes are critical. This combination of moderate ownership and high optimal rate makes it a viable choice for GPP contests seeking differentiated upside.

C Plays

Top Play: Auston Matthews ($9,000)

Auston Matthews checks all the boxes as a strong DFS play tonight, even at his $9,000 salary. His combination of elite shot volume (215 shots in 53 games) and heavy power-play involvement (21 power-play points) makes him one of the safest high-priced options on the slate. The matchup against Nashville is middling on paper, but Matthews’ recent form—four goals and five points in his last three games—bolsters his appeal. His 16.93 DK point projection ranks second among all players, and with a 23% optimal lineup rate, he’s clearly a priority for both cash games and tournaments.

At 14.4% projected ownership, Matthews will be one of the chalkier plays on the slate, but it’s hard to argue against it. His high floor from shot volume and blocked shots (67 this season) justifies the ownership in most formats, especially since he offers an elite ceiling with multi-goal upside. While fading him in large-field GPPs could be viable for leverage, his strong value (1.88x) relative to other stars makes him difficult to avoid entirely. If you’re paying up at center tonight, Matthews is one of the safest bets to deliver.

Honorable Mentions

• Nathan MacKinnon ($9,200)
• Macklin Celebrini ($7,100)
• Nico Hischier ($6,300)

W Plays

Top Play: David Pastrnak ($9,000)

David Pastrnak ($9,000) is in a prime spot tonight against San Jose, a team that has struggled defensively all season. The Sharks rank near the bottom of the league in goals allowed per game, and their penalty kill is equally exploitable. Pastrnak’s role as the focal point of Boston’s offense, both at even strength and on the power play, makes him a top-tier option in this matchup. His elite shot volume—averaging over four shots per game this season—provides a secure floor, while his 29% optimal lineup rate underscores his massive ceiling potential.

At 15.5% projected ownership, Pastrnak is chalky relative to the field average, but it’s hard to argue against it given his upside and consistency. He’s generating 18.6 DK points per game with strong value at 2.07x despite the hefty salary. While he won’t provide leverage in tournaments due to his popularity, he remains an excellent foundational piece for cash games or as part of a Bruins stack in GPPs. In a favorable matchup against a weak Sharks defense, fading him could be risky if he hits his ceiling tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Timo Meier ($6,900)
• Cole Caufield ($6,500)
• Zach Hyman ($6,700)

D Plays

Top Play: Cale Makar ($8,000)

Cale Makar ($8,000) is one of the most reliable DFS options on tonight’s slate, and his matchup against Montreal only bolsters his appeal. The Canadiens rank in the bottom third of the league in penalty kill efficiency, which aligns perfectly with Makar’s role as Colorado’s power-play quarterback. His offensive production remains elite, leading all defensemen with 81 points in 70 games this season, and his ability to contribute across categories (shots, blocks, assists) gives him both a solid floor and a massive ceiling. With a projection of 14.94 DraftKings points and an appearance rate in 27.5% of optimal lineups, it’s clear why he’s priced at the top end of the salary range.

At 20.7% projected ownership, Makar will be chalky relative to other defensemen, but it’s hard to argue against it given his consistency and upside in this spot. While fading high-ownership players can create leverage in tournaments, Makar’s combination of strong value (1.87x) and multi-category production makes him difficult to avoid entirely on this slate. If you’re looking for differentiation in your lineups, consider pairing him with lower-owned teammates or stacking him within a power-play unit to maximize correlation while still capitalizing on his potential for a big night against Montreal’s vulnerable special teams.

Honorable Mentions

• Vince Dunn ($4,300)
• Jake Sanderson ($6,000)
• Moritz Seider ($5,600)

G Plays

Top Play: Joseph Woll ($7,500)

Joseph Woll ($7,500) is an appealing option in goal tonight, particularly for tournaments. He ranks first in Hero GPP Rank and appears in 35.5% of optimal lineups, signaling strong upside at his price point. His recent form is solid, with five wins in his last six starts and three 30+ save performances during that stretch. The matchup against Nashville is manageable, as the Predators rank in the bottom third of the league in goals per game (2.75). Woll’s projection of 14.44 DK points and value rating of 1.92x make him one of the top goalie plays on the slate.

The key consideration here is his high ownership (26.9%), which makes him chalky relative to other goalies. While this level of popularity can limit leverage opportunities, it’s hard to argue against the play given his combination of floor and ceiling at this salary. Toronto’s strong defensive structure should help mitigate risk, and Woll has shown he can handle volume if Nashville generates chances. If you’re comfortable eating some chalk in GPPs or need a safe anchor for cash games, Woll looks like a justifiable option despite his elevated ownership.

Honorable Mentions

• Joonas Korpisalo ($8,300)
• Jake Allen ($8,000)
• Adin Hill ($8,400)

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!