FREE 03/31 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 4-game NHL slate offers a mix of lower and higher-scoring environments, with plenty of spots to consider for DFS. The highest total on the board is in the late-night matchup between Dallas and Seattle (6.5 O/U), where both teams feature questionable goaltending in Casey DeSmith and Joey Daccord. On the flip side, the Minnesota-New Jersey game has a modest 5.5 total, with Filip Gustavsson and Jacob Markstrom confirmed in net—two solid goalies that could limit scoring upside.

In the mid-range, Calgary-Colorado (6.0 O/U) has some appeal for stacking, especially with Dan Vladar and Scott Wedgewood expected to start, neither of whom inspire much confidence. Nashville-Philadelphia (5.5 O/U) might fly under the radar, but Juuse Saros’ strong play could make Philly’s offense tough to trust, while Ivan Fedotov remains an unproven option in net for the Flyers. With only four games on tap, finding leverage will be key—don’t be afraid to target secondary pieces in high-total games or take calculated risks in lower-scoring matchups.

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($23,000)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Valeri Nichushkin carries a total salary of $23,000 and is projected for 45.3 points, resulting in a solid value of 1.97 pts/$1000. With an average ownership of 26.9% and an optimal lineup rate of 29.5%, this stack demonstrates strong leverage potential, slightly outperforming its ownership relative to its likelihood of being in the optimal lineup. The combination of elite talent and high involvement in power play scoring opportunities makes this stack a high-upside option with efficient pricing for DFS lineups.

DAL PP1 ($21,800)

Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, Thomas Harley

The DAL PP1 stack of Jason Robertson, Mikko Rantanen, and Thomas Harley offers a projected point total of 34.6 with a solid value of 1.59 pts/$1000 on a $21,800 salary. Its average ownership sits at 12.3%, which is slightly balanced by an optimal lineup rate of 12.8%, indicating the stack is fairly efficient in terms of its chances to appear in top lineups relative to its popularity. This combination of moderate ownership and competitive optimal rate makes it a viable option for DFS contests, particularly for those looking to balance upside with reasonable differentiation from the field.

C Plays

Top Play: Nathan MacKinnon ($9,000)

Nathan MacKinnon checks all the boxes for DFS tonight, even at his hefty $9,000 salary. His 18.22-point projection leads the slate, and he’s appearing in an impressive 35.8% of optimal lineups, making him the top-ranked tournament play. The matchup against Calgary is appealing, as the Flames have been inconsistent defensively this season, and MacKinnon’s elite shot volume and power-play role give him both a high floor and a massive ceiling. His ability to contribute across multiple categories ensures he can pay off his price tag in this spot.

The primary concern here is ownership—MacKinnon is projected to be rostered by 37.8% of the field, far above average. While that chalk may deter some players in tournaments, it feels justified given his combination of consistency and upside. If you’re looking to differentiate your lineup elsewhere, MacKinnon remains a cornerstone piece worth building around despite the popularity. Fading him entirely could be risky given how often he lands in optimal lineups, especially on a slate where raw points are critical.

Honorable Mentions

• Wyatt Johnston ($6,800)
• Nazem Kadri ($6,400)
• Nico Hischier ($7,500)

W Plays

Top Play: Valeri Nichushkin ($6,400)

Valeri Nichushkin ($6,400) is an intriguing option in tournaments tonight as Colorado takes on Calgary. He’s been in excellent form, riding a six-game point streak with four goals and three assists, and he continues to log significant minutes in a top-six role with power play exposure. His projection of 11.3 DraftKings points at a strong 1.77x value makes him one of the more efficient mid-range plays on the slate. Calgary’s penalty kill has been inconsistent this season, providing Nichushkin additional upside given his presence on the Avalanche’s top power play unit.

At 12.9% projected ownership, Nichushkin is slightly above the field average but not chalky enough to fade outright in tournaments. In fact, his 18.1% optimal lineup appearance rate suggests he’s well worth consideration even at moderate ownership levels. With his combination of consistent production, favorable matchup, and reasonable salary, he offers both a solid floor and ceiling for DFS players looking to anchor their lineups with a reliable winger who won’t break the bank.

Honorable Mentions

• Filip Forsberg ($7,800)
• Mikko Rantanen ($7,100)
• Matvei Michkov ($6,000)

D Plays

Top Play: Cale Makar ($7,600)

Cale Makar ($7,600) is in a prime spot tonight against Calgary, making him the top-ranked defenseman for tournaments. His offensive ceiling is unmatched at the position, and his recent production backs it up—he’s posted nine points (three goals, six assists) over his last six games while continuing to log heavy minutes on Colorado’s top pairing and power play. With a projection of 15.71 DraftKings points and appearing in 34.5% of optimal lineups, Makar has both the floor and upside you’re looking for, especially given Calgary’s struggles against high-end puck-moving defensemen.

The 30% projected ownership is steep but warranted given Makar’s elite consistency and game-breaking potential. While he won’t be a contrarian play, his ability to dominate multiple stat categories—shots, blocks, power-play production—makes him worth eating the chalk in both cash games and tournaments. If you’re fading him in GPPs due to ownership concerns, make sure your pivot has a legitimate path to matching his ceiling because Makar could easily be the slate’s highest-scoring skater.

Honorable Mentions

• Thomas Harley ($6,700)
• MacKenzie Weegar ($6,500)
• Vince Dunn ($4,300)

G Plays

Top Play: Juuse Saros ($7,600)

Juuse Saros ($7,600) is shaping up to be a strong option in net tonight against Philadelphia. While Nashville has been eliminated from playoff contention, Saros remains a high-upside DFS play given his ability to steal games, even behind a middling team. The Flyers rank near the bottom of the league in offensive efficiency, which sets up nicely for Saros to post a solid performance. His 19.1% optimal lineup rate reflects both his affordability and potential value at this price point, offering 1.72x value relative to salary. With a projection of 13.08 DK points, he stands out as one of the best goalie options on the slate.

The main concern here is ownership, as Saros is expected to be rostered by 16.7% of the field—well above average for goaltenders. However, this level of chalk feels warranted given his combination of matchup and price. While recent inconsistency might give some pause (2-3-0 with a 2.42 GAA over his last five), Philadelphia’s lackluster offense mitigates some of that risk. For tournaments, Saros offers enough ceiling to justify eating the chalk if you’re confident in his game environment and want stability at goalie without overspending.

Honorable Mentions

• Filip Gustavsson ($7,400)
• Casey DeSmith ($8,200)
• Scott Wedgewood ($8,400)

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