FREE 05/12 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

Tonight’s 2-game NHL slate may be small, but it offers plenty to think about for DFS. The Capitals visit the Hurricanes in a game with a modest 5.5 total, where Frederik Andersen and Logan Thompson are confirmed to start in net. This matchup leans defensive, but Carolina’s strong shot volume and power play could still provide some value. On the other side, Washington might fly under the radar, making them an intriguing contrarian option.

The late game between Vegas and Edmonton has a much higher 6.5 total, which will likely make it the focal point for most DFS lineups. Adin Hill and Stuart Skinner are confirmed starters here, but both goalies face tough tasks against two potent offenses. With stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on one side and Jack Eichel leading the Golden Knights on the other, this game offers plenty of firepower to build around. Prioritizing exposure to this matchup while finding value from the earlier game could be key on this slate.

Top Stacks

EDM PP1 ($24,500)

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard

The EDM PP1 stack consisting of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard offers a projected value of 1.86 points per $1000, indicating strong efficiency relative to salary. With a total salary of $24,500, this stack represents a significant investment but delivers above-average scoring potential for the cost. The average ownership sits at 32.5%, closely aligned with the optimal lineup inclusion rate of 31.4%, suggesting that rostership is efficiently balanced with optimizer recommendations and that this stack is neither significantly over- nor under-owned in lineups. Overall, the data supports the EDM PP1 stack as a high-value core option within NHL DFS lineups given its solid points-per-dollar metric and balanced ownership context.

CAR PP1 ($18,500)

Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, Andrei Svechnikov

The CAR PP1 stack consisting of Sebastian Aho, Seth Jarvis, and Andrei Svechnikov carries a total salary of $18,500 with a projected value of 1.82 points per $1000, indicating solid efficiency for DFS lineups. The average ownership at 22.7% coupled with an optimal lineup inclusion rate of 23.1% suggests this stack is moderately popular among players and frequently utilized in high-performing lineups. The balance between ownership and optimal rate supports the stack’s viability as a core component in NHL DFS builds without being overly contrarian or overly chalky.

VGK PP1 ($19,500)

Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, Shea Theodore

The VGK PP1 stack featuring Jack Eichel, Mark Stone, and Shea Theodore carries a total salary of $19,500 with an average ownership of 23.7% and an optimal lineup rate of 22.1%. This stack delivers a projected value of 1.77 points per $1000, indicating a strong efficiency relative to its cost. Ownership near 24% reflects moderate popularity among DFS players, while the optimal lineup rate just above 22% suggests it is a favored but not overly saturated option in high-performing lineups. Overall, the stack presents a balanced combination of value and ownership metrics for NHL DFS considerations.

C Plays

Top Play: Connor McDavid ($9,500)

Connor McDavid remains a top DFS option at $9,500, especially facing the Golden Knights. He’s been consistently producing with five multi-point games in nine playoff contests and has a strong shot volume, tallying 35 shots on net this postseason. The matchup is appealing given Edmonton’s high-paced offense against a Vegas team that can be vulnerable to elite centers. His 1.77x value and presence in nearly 38% of optimal lineups reflect his combination of floor and upside.

Ownership is high at 38.3%, which makes sense given his role and recent production. While chalky, McDavid still offers leverage through his ceiling—especially if the game turns into a back-and-forth affair where he can rack up points on multiple lines and special teams. At this price, he’s a solid anchor for tournament builds without needing to shy away due to ownership concerns.

Honorable Mentions

• Jack Eichel ($8,300)
• Sebastian Aho ($6,800)

W Plays

Top Play: Leon Draisaitl ($8,500)

Leon Draisaitl offers strong value at $8,500 given his consistent involvement in Edmonton’s offense against Vegas. He’s averaging nearly three points per game in this series with five goals and 10 assists through nine playoff games, while maintaining a plus-7 rating. The matchup against the Golden Knights is tough but manageable, especially considering his power play role and shot volume—26 shots on goal so far—which supports a reliable floor and upside if he continues to create chances.

His ownership is elevated at about 35%, reflecting his status as a top option in GPPs, which makes sense given his production and price. While chalky, Draisaitl’s presence in roughly one-third of optimal lineups shows there’s still room to gain leverage by pairing him with lower-owned teammates or targeting other lines. Overall, he remains a core play for tournaments where you want exposure to high-event players who can deliver multi-point upside against solid competition.

Honorable Mentions

• Seth Jarvis ($5,900)
• Andrei Svechnikov ($5,800)

D Plays

Top Play: Evan Bouchard ($6,500)

Evan Bouchard offers solid value at $6,500 given his consistent involvement in Edmonton’s offense and power play. He’s been productive this postseason with multiple multi-point games and has maintained strong peripheral stats including 28 shots on goal and 11 blocks over nine games. Facing Vegas again, who have struggled to contain opposing defensemen’s playmaking, Bouchard’s combination of offensive upside and steady defensive contributions makes him a reliable option on the blue line.

His ownership around 24.5% aligns closely with his optimal usage, reflecting his balanced floor and ceiling in this matchup. While not a low-owned leverage play, he fits well as a core defender in tournament lineups due to his ability to rack up points through assists and shots. The game environment should remain competitive, so Bouchard’s involvement on both special teams and even strength gives him a stable floor with upside for multi-point efforts.

Honorable Mentions

• Jake Walman ($4,300)
• Darnell Nurse ($4,800)

G Plays

Top Play: Frederik Andersen ($8,000)

Frederik Andersen presents a strong DFS option against Washington, especially given his recent postseason form. He’s posted a 1.32 GAA and .940 save percentage over seven starts, including a shutout in Game 3. At $8,000, his value sits at 1.6x, which is solid for a goalie with consistent high-level play in a tight series. The Capitals don’t have the most potent offense right now, so Andersen’s chances of securing another quality outing are reasonable.

Ownership is high at 36%, reflecting the confidence in his steady performance and matchup. This chalk seems justified given his status as the clear starter and the favorable game environment in Carolina’s home building. If you want leverage, you might look elsewhere, but Andersen offers a safe floor with upside if this low-scoring series continues to trend defensively.

Honorable Mentions

• Logan Thompson ($7,400)
• Stuart Skinner ($7,800)

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