FREE 04/07 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 5-game NHL slate offers a mix of intriguing matchups and some clear spots to target for DFS. The Lightning-Rangers game (O/U: 5.5) features two elite goaltenders in Andrei Vasilevskiy and Igor Shesterkin, which could keep scoring in check, but don’t overlook the high-end talent on both sides. Meanwhile, the Oilers-Ducks matchup (O/U: 6.0) stands out as the highest total of the night, with Edmonton’s offensive firepower going up against Lukas Dostal in net for Anaheim.

Late-night options also bring some DFS appeal, with Calgary-San Jose (O/U: 6.0) looking like another potential high-scoring affair, especially if Dustin Wolf struggles in his start for the Flames. On the other hand, games like Blues-Jets and Kraken-Kings (both O/U: 5.5) lean more defensive with solid goaltending from Connor Hellebuyck and Darcy Kuemper, respectively, but there’s always room for value plays in these tighter matchups. It’s a slate that requires balancing upside from higher totals with smart contrarian plays elsewhere.

Top Stacks

WPG PP1 ($18,400)

Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, Josh Morrissey

The WPG PP1 stack of Kyle Connor, Mark Scheifele, and Josh Morrissey offers a solid combination of projected production and value. With a total salary of $18,400, the stack is projected for 34.1 points, resulting in a respectable value of 1.85 pts/$1000. Ownership comes in at an average of 17.2%, slightly higher than its optimal lineup rate of 16.8%, suggesting the stack is efficiently owned but not overly leveraged relative to its ceiling. As a power-play unit (PP1), it benefits from concentrated scoring potential, making it a viable option in both cash games and GPPs when seeking balanced exposure between upside and efficiency.

CGY PP1 ($19,000)

Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, Jonathan Huberdeau

The CGY PP1 stack of Nazem Kadri, MacKenzie Weegar, and Jonathan Huberdeau is projected for 35.5 points at a total salary of $19,000, resulting in a solid value of 1.87 points per $1,000. With an average ownership of 17.2%, this stack is expected to be moderately popular in tournaments but not overwhelmingly chalky. However, its optimal lineup rate of 14.6% falls slightly below the ownership projection, suggesting it may be slightly over-owned relative to its likelihood of being optimal. As a power-play unit, this stack offers concentrated scoring potential, but given the ownership-to-optimal disparity, it may carry some leverage risk in larger-field contests.

TBL PP1 ($24,300)

Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, Brayden Point

The TBL PP1 stack of Nikita Kucherov, Jake Guentzel, and Brayden Point offers a strong combination of projected points and value for NHL DFS. With a total salary of $24,300, the stack is projected to score 38.5 points, resulting in a value of 1.58 pts/$1000. This positions it as a solid option in terms of efficiency relative to cost. The average ownership for this stack is 10.7%, which is moderate and provides some leverage compared to its optimal lineup rate of 13.4%. This positive gap between ownership and optimal rate suggests the stack has a slightly higher likelihood of being part of top-performing lineups than its popularity reflects, making it a viable choice for both cash games and tournaments depending on roster construction needs.

C Plays

Top Play: Macklin Celebrini ($6,800)

Macklin Celebrini ($6,800) stands out as one of the top center options on this slate, ranking first in tournament value and appearing in 22.3% of optimal lineups. His projection of 13.2 DK points and 1.95x value make him an appealing play, especially given his consistent offensive involvement with assists in back-to-back games and a team-leading 218 shots on goal this season. While Calgary’s defense is middle-of-the-pack, their penalty kill has been inconsistent, which could open up opportunities for Celebrini to capitalize on his power play role. At just 18 years old, he’s already proven capable of generating offense even when goals aren’t coming.

The main consideration here is ownership, as Celebrini is projected at a hefty 20.1%, significantly higher than the field average of 4.8%. While that chalk might seem steep, it feels justified given his combination of floor (shot volume) and ceiling (elite rookie production). If you’re comfortable eating the ownership in cash games or small-field tournaments, he’s a strong building block. In larger GPPs, however, pivoting to lower-owned centers in similar price ranges could help differentiate your lineup without sacrificing upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Mark Scheifele ($5,900)
• Nazem Kadri ($7,000)
• Brayden Point ($7,400)

W Plays

Top Play: Kyle Connor ($7,200)

Kyle Connor ($7,200) is one of the most appealing plays on tonight’s slate, and for good reason. He’s projected for 13.3 DraftKings points, ranks first in tournament value at 1.85x, and appears in 16.8% of optimal lineups. With five points in his last four games, Connor has been a consistent producer for Winnipeg’s top line and power play unit. The matchup against St. Louis is favorable as well, with the Blues ranking in the bottom half of the league in goals allowed per game and penalty kill efficiency. Connor’s shot volume (246 shots this season) provides him with a high floor, while his role in Winnipeg’s offense gives him significant upside.

At 16.9% projected ownership, Connor will be one of the chalkier plays on the slate, but it’s hard to argue against it given his combination of floor, ceiling, and value at this salary. While he may not provide much leverage in tournaments due to his popularity, fading him carries significant risk considering how frequently he lands in optimal lineups. If you’re looking to differentiate your build while still rostering Connor, consider pairing him with lower-owned teammates or correlating with pieces from the opposing side to take advantage of potential game stack scenarios.

Honorable Mentions

• Nikita Kucherov ($8,900)
• Viktor Arvidsson ($5,700)
• Adrian Kempe ($6,600)

D Plays

Top Play: Josh Morrissey ($5,300)

Josh Morrissey ($5,300) stands out as one of the top defensive options on this slate, and his strong projection (9.95 DK points) paired with excellent value (1.88x) makes him a justifiable chalk play. His power-play role is key against a St. Louis team that ranks in the bottom third of the league in penalty kill efficiency, giving him significant upside to go along with his consistent floor. With 22 power-play points on the season and over two shots and one block per game, Morrissey contributes across multiple stat categories, making him a reliable anchor for your lineup.

The 15% projected ownership is high relative to field averages but feels warranted given his price point and matchup. He appears in 14% of optimal lineups, which reinforces his viability even in tournament settings. While he won’t give you unique leverage, he offers plenty of safety and upside at a mid-tier salary that fits well into most roster builds. If you’re playing cash or single-entry contests, Morrissey should be firmly on your radar given his combination of value and opportunity in this spot.

Honorable Mentions

• MacKenzie Weegar ($6,500)
• Evan Bouchard ($7,100)
• Darnell Nurse ($5,600)

G Plays

Top Play: Joey Daccord ($7,200)

Joey Daccord ($7,200) offers an intriguing mix of value and upside for tournaments tonight against the Kings. Despite the tough matchup on the road, Daccord has been in excellent form, boasting a .979 save percentage over his last two starts, including a shutout. With Seattle playing solid hockey down the stretch and Daccord appearing in nearly 15% of optimal lineups, he provides strong value at this salary (1.6x). While his projection of 11.57 DK points isn’t elite, his recent performance suggests he’s capable of exceeding that mark if he can keep the Kings’ offense in check.

At 6.1% projected ownership, Daccord is slightly above the field average but far from chalky. This makes him a viable option for those looking to differentiate lineups without taking on excessive risk. The Kings are a strong team offensively, which adds some volatility to this play, but that also creates upside if Daccord can hold them off while piling up saves. At this price point, he’s a solid tournament option with just enough leverage to warrant consideration in GPPs.

Honorable Mentions

• Connor Hellebuyck ($8,000)
• Darcy Kuemper ($8,200)
• Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7,600)

Good luck today! 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!