FREE 04/28 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 2-game NHL slate may be small, but there’s still plenty to unpack for DFS. The Lightning-Panthers matchup kicks things off with a 5.5 total and two elite goalies in Andrei Vasilevskiy and Sergei Bobrovsky. With both teams capable of generating offense but also strong defensively, this game could lean toward a lower-scoring affair, making it tricky for stacking but potentially rewarding for those targeting power-play pieces.

The later game between the Avalanche and Stars carries a 6.0 total and features Jake Oettinger in net for Dallas against Mackenzie Blackwood for Colorado. This one has more offensive upside, with both teams boasting top-tier scoring talent and the potential for a faster pace. If you’re looking for high-ceiling plays, this is the game to focus on, particularly from Colorado’s star-studded first line or Dallas’ balanced attack.

Top Stacks

COL PP1 ($23,200)

Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, Martin Necas

The COL PP1 stack of Nathan MacKinnon, Cale Makar, and Martin Necas is projected for 42.2 points at a total salary of $23,200, resulting in a solid value of 1.82 pts/$1000. While the stack offers elite upside due to its high projection, it comes with an average ownership of 31.5%, which slightly exceeds its optimal lineup rate of 29.6%. This indicates the stack may be slightly over-owned relative to its likelihood of being optimal, presenting potential leverage concerns in tournaments. However, its combination of ceiling and correlation makes it a strong option despite the elevated ownership levels.

DAL PP1 ($16,400)

Thomas Harley, Mikko Rantanen, Roope Hintz

The DAL PP1 stack of Thomas Harley, Mikko Rantanen, and Roope Hintz offers a strong combination of projected points and value. With a total salary of $16,400, the stack delivers 30.5 projected points, equating to a solid value of 1.86 pts/$1000. Ownership sits at 23.0%, which is slightly high but justified given its optimal lineup rate of 24.7%, indicating it is performing efficiently relative to its usage in lineups. This stack provides a balanced blend of ceiling and value, making it a viable option for both cash games and tournaments depending on contest size and field dynamics.

FLA PP1 ($20,600)

Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Aleksander Barkov

The FLA PP1 stack of Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, and Aleksander Barkov carries a total salary of $20,600 and is projected for 34.4 points, resulting in a solid value of 1.67 pts/$1000. With an average ownership of 20.5% and an optimal lineup rate of 21.1%, this stack offers a near-neutral leverage profile, indicating its popularity is well-aligned with its likelihood to appear in optimal lineups. The high projection combined with its slight positive correlation to the optimal rate makes it a strong but highly owned option, ideal for cash games or as a core piece in tournaments where ownership can be managed elsewhere in the lineup.

C Plays

Top Play: Nathan MacKinnon ($9,500)

Nathan MacKinnon ($9,500) is in a tough road matchup against Dallas, but his elite role and recent production make him a strong play despite the steep salary. Over four playoff games, he’s racked up four goals (three on the power play), 24 shots, and eight hits, showcasing both his scoring upside and peripheral floor. Dallas has a solid defensive structure, but their penalty kill ranks middle of the pack, which could open the door for MacKinnon to capitalize on his power-play opportunities. With a projection of 17.8 DraftKings points and appearing in 35.6% of optimal lineups, he profiles as one of the slate’s top ceiling options.

At 44.8% projected ownership, MacKinnon will be one of the most popular plays on the slate, but it’s hard to argue against it given his role as Colorado’s offensive engine. While the high ownership limits his leverage appeal in tournaments, fading him entirely carries significant risk given his ability to dominate any matchup. If you’re playing cash games or smaller-field contests, eating the chalk here makes sense given his secure floor and ceiling combination. For larger GPPs, consider differentiating elsewhere if you roster him to avoid overly chalky builds.

Honorable Mentions

• Roope Hintz ($4,900)
• Matt Duchene ($4,500)

W Plays

Top Play: Carter Verhaeghe ($5,100)

Carter Verhaeghe ($5,100) stands out as one of the top value plays on this slate, and his combination of price, role, and matchup makes him difficult to overlook. Verhaeghe projects for 10.1 DraftKings points and appears in 23.6% of optimal lineups, which is the highest among all players on the slate. While his moderate ownership (26.9%) is well above field average, it’s justified given his strong value at nearly 2x salary and his consistent production. He’s riding a six-game point streak (three goals, four assists) while maintaining top-line minutes and power play exposure for Florida. Facing Tampa Bay in what could be a high-event game only increases his appeal.

The matchup against Tampa Bay is particularly enticing for DFS purposes. The Lightning have struggled defensively in stretches this season and rank middle-of-the-pack in goals allowed per game. Verhaeghe’s ability to contribute across multiple categories—shots, hits, and points—gives him both a solid floor and ceiling at this price point. While he’ll likely be popular in tournaments, this is chalk that makes sense to eat given his role and production relative to cost. If you’re fading him, make sure you’re pivoting to similarly strong options because Verhaeghe’s upside in this spot is hard to match.

Honorable Mentions

• Matthew Tkachuk ($7,500)
• Mikko Rantanen ($6,200)

D Plays

Top Play: Cale Makar ($7,700)

Cale Makar ($7,700) is a premier option on tonight’s slate, even with his hefty salary and high ownership (32.2%). His offensive upside as a defenseman is unmatched, evidenced by his career-high 92 points this season and his role as a key power-play contributor for Colorado. The matchup against Dallas isn’t ideal—they’re a strong defensive team—but Makar’s ability to generate points in all situations mitigates that concern. With 246 shots and 128 blocked shots this season, he also offers one of the safest floors at the position, making him a strong play in both cash games and tournaments.

The main question here is whether his high ownership justifies the chalk. At 35.7% optimal lineup appearance rate, Makar grades out as one of the most likely players to hit value on the slate despite his steep price tag. While he’s not necessarily a contrarian option, fading him could be risky given his ceiling and secure role in all situations for Colorado. If you’re looking to differentiate your lineup in tournaments, pairing him with less popular Avalanche skaters or pivoting to similarly priced forwards might help create leverage without sacrificing too much upside.

Honorable Mentions

• Thomas Harley ($5,300)
• Devon Toews ($4,500)

G Plays

Top Play: Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7,600)

Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7,600) stands out as a top goaltending option on this slate, ranking first in tournament projections and appearing in 32% of optimal lineups. While his ownership is high at 32.8%, it’s justified given the combination of value (1.95x) and upside he offers at this salary. The matchup against Florida is challenging, but Vasilevskiy has proven capable of handling high-shot-volume environments, which could pad his floor with saves. At this price point, he provides strong leverage for tournaments despite the chalkier ownership.

The game environment also works in Vasilevskiy’s favor. Florida tends to push the pace offensively but has been inconsistent in converting those chances into goals, which bodes well for his save potential and win equity with Tampa Bay backing him up. His recent postseason form shows he’s locked in after a rough Game 1, and with Tampa likely leaning on him heavily in a critical divisional matchup, he’s worth eating the chalk here if you’re prioritizing stability at goalie.

Honorable Mentions

• Jake Oettinger ($7,400)
• Sergei Bobrovsky ($7,800)

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