FREE 04/08 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 10-game NHL slate offers a mix of high-scoring potential and defensive matchups, making for an intriguing DFS landscape. The CAR-BUF and CHI-PIT games both carry enticing 6.5 totals, with plenty of offensive firepower on display in each. Meanwhile, the TOR-FLA and OTT-CBJ matchups sit just behind with totals of 5.5 and 6.0, respectively, providing some mid-range options for stacking. Goalie situations will also play a key role tonight, as players like Pyotr Kochetkov and Elvis Merzlikins could see plenty of action in high-event environments.

On the flip side, several games lean toward tighter contests with lower totals to consider for value plays or contrarian builds. BOS-NJD and VAN-DAL are both set at just 5.5 goals, where strong goaltending performances from Jeremy Swayman or Thatcher Demko could steal the spotlight. The late-night VGK-COL matchup (6.0 total) also stands out as one to watch, featuring two top-tier teams in what could be a more balanced game environment. With so many options across the slate, focusing on high-total games while keeping an eye on key goalie matchups will be crucial for success tonight.

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($23,100)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Valeri Nichushkin

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Valeri Nichushkin carries a projected point total of 43.7 with a value of 1.89 pts/$1000, making it a high-upside but relatively expensive option at a total salary of $23,100. The average ownership is 14.2%, which is moderately high, reflecting its popularity among DFS players. However, its optimal lineup rate of 11.3% suggests it may be slightly over-owned relative to its likelihood of being the best stack in tournaments. This stack offers elite upside due to the concentration of scoring potential on the power play but comes with an efficiency tradeoff in terms of ownership leverage and cost-effectiveness compared to other options.

PIT PP1 ($21,900)

Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell

The PIT PP1 stack of Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell offers a solid combination of projected production and value for DFS lineups. With a total salary of $21,900, the stack projects for 39.2 points, resulting in a value of 1.79 pts/$1000, which is respectable but not elite in terms of efficiency. The ownership rate averages 10.7%, which aligns closely with its optimal lineup rate of 10.6%, indicating the stack is fairly priced and appropriately leveraged in tournaments. As a power-play-focused stack, it consolidates high-upside scoring opportunities, making it a viable option for GPPs while maintaining reasonable exposure levels relative to its ceiling potential.

CBJ PP1 ($19,700)

Zach Werenski, Boone Jenner, Kirill Marchenko

The CBJ PP1 stack of Zach Werenski, Boone Jenner, and Kirill Marchenko offers a projected 36.1 points at a combined salary of $19,700, yielding a solid value of 1.83 pts/$1000. With an average ownership of 8.2% and an optimal lineup rate of 8.6%, this stack presents a balanced combination of moderate popularity and strong lineup viability relative to its cost. Its optimal rate slightly outpaces its ownership, suggesting it provides slight leverage in DFS tournaments while maintaining efficiency as a power-play unit. This makes it a viable mid-tier stacking option for those seeking reasonable upside without excessive ownership concerns.

C Plays

Top Play: Nathan MacKinnon ($9,000)

Nathan MacKinnon ($9,000) stands out as a premier DFS option tonight despite his hefty salary. His consistent production, backed by a seven-game point streak (four goals, six assists), makes him one of the safest high-priced plays on the slate. The matchup against Vegas isn’t ideal, as they rank among the league’s better defensive teams, but MacKinnon’s elite shot volume—314 shots on goal this season—provides a secure floor. With power-play exposure and Colorado’s offense running through him, his ceiling remains intact even in tougher spots. A 17.5-point projection and appearance in 13.4% of optimal lineups underscore his viability.

At 17.6% projected ownership, MacKinnon is chalky but justifiably so given his combination of floor, ceiling, and reliability. While he doesn’t offer much leverage in tournaments due to his popularity, fading him comes with significant risk given his ability to break a slate at any time. If you can fit him into your lineup without sacrificing too much elsewhere, he’s worth prioritizing in both cash games and GPPs as one of the night’s top overall plays.

Honorable Mentions

• Sidney Crosby ($8,300)
• Nick Suzuki ($6,700)
• Auston Matthews ($9,200)

W Plays

Top Play: Valeri Nichushkin ($6,300)

Valeri Nichushkin is an intriguing DFS option at $6,300 in a tough matchup against the Golden Knights. While Vegas boasts a strong defensive core, Nichushkin’s role on Colorado’s second line and power play keeps him firmly in play. He’s projected for 11.7 DraftKings points with a solid 1.86x value, appearing in 10.5% of optimal lineups—numbers that highlight both his floor and upside potential. With four shots on goal and an assist in his last outing, Nichushkin has shown signs of bouncing back after a brief slump, and increased usage following Jonathan Drouin’s injury could further boost his opportunity.

At 11.1% projected ownership, Nichushkin will be one of the chalkier mid-range forwards on the slate. While that level of popularity isn’t ideal for tournaments, it’s not unwarranted given his combination of price point, role, and projection. The Golden Knights are no pushover defensively, but Nichushkin’s ability to contribute across multiple categories—shots, blocks, and offensive production—makes him a reasonable play even in a less-than-ideal game environment. He’s best suited for lineups where you’re comfortable eating some chalk while differentiating elsewhere.

Honorable Mentions

• Bryan Rust ($7,500)
• Dylan Guenther ($6,100)
• Clayton Keller ($6,500)

D Plays

Top Play: Zach Werenski ($7,600)

Zach Werenski’s recent form makes him a strong DFS option, even at his $7,600 salary. He’s riding a three-game, five-assist streak and continues to generate elite shot volume, with 15 shots over that span. His matchup against Ottawa is appealing given the Senators’ struggles defensively—they rank in the bottom third of the league in goals allowed per game. With Werenski’s heavy involvement on the power play and his career-best offensive production (74 points and 265 shots on the season), he offers both a solid floor and significant upside for tournaments. His projection of 14.92 DK points and appearance in 15.2% of optimal lineups underscores his viability.

At 12.9% projected ownership, Werenski will be one of the more popular plays on this slate, but the chalk seems warranted given his consistency and role as Columbus’ top offensive defenseman. While he’s not a contrarian play, his ceiling justifies eating some ownership in tournaments, especially since few defensemen offer comparable upside at this price point. If you’re looking to differentiate elsewhere, locking in Werenski as a high-floor anchor on your blue line feels like a sound strategy.

Honorable Mentions

• Cale Makar ($7,800)
• Quinn Hughes ($6,500)
• Thomas Chabot ($5,400)

G Plays

Top Play: Joseph Woll ($7,600)

Joseph Woll ($7,600) is an intriguing option in net tonight as the Maple Leafs visit the Panthers. While his recent numbers aren’t eye-popping—posting a .894 save percentage and 3.41 GAA in March—he still managed a respectable 5-2-1 record over that span. Florida’s offense presents a tough test, especially with key players returning to their lineup, but Toronto’s ability to control possession (top-10 in Corsi For %) could help limit the Panthers’ chances. At his salary, Woll offers solid value (1.69x) and projects well with 12.88 DK points, making him a viable play for those looking to save at goalie.

The main concern here is ownership, as Woll is expected to come in at 16.4%, significantly higher than the field average of 2.4%. While this chalk isn’t entirely unjustified given his price and potential upside, it does make him less appealing in tournaments where differentiation matters. That said, he ranks second among goalies in tournament value and appears in 6.24% of optimal lineups, suggesting he’s still worth considering if you’re confident Toronto can limit Florida’s high-danger chances. Ultimately, Woll is a fine mid-range option but one to approach carefully depending on your contest type and roster construction strategy.

Honorable Mentions

• Tristan Jarry ($8,200)
• Ilya Sorokin ($7,900)
• Justus Annunen ($7,500)

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!