FREE 05/14 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a short but intriguing two-game NHL slate tonight, with some clear focal points for DFS. The Panthers visit the Maple Leafs in a game with a modest 5.5 total, where Sergei Bobrovsky and Joseph Woll are confirmed starters. Toronto’s offense always brings upside, but Florida’s defensive structure and Bobrovsky’s recent form could keep scoring in check. This game might lean more toward single-player exposure rather than full stacks unless you’re banking on one side breaking through.

The late game between the Oilers and Golden Knights is the headliner for DFS purposes, featuring a 6.5 total and plenty of star power. Stuart Skinner and Adin Hill will man the nets in what could turn into a back-and-forth affair if Edmonton’s high-octane offense gets rolling. Vegas is no slouch offensively either, making this matchup ripe for stacking opportunities on both sides. Prioritizing pieces from this game will likely be key to building competitive lineups tonight.

Top Stacks

EDM PP1 ($23,600)

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard

The EDM PP1 stack, consisting of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard, carries a total salary of $23,600 with an average ownership of 29.3% and an optimal lineup rate of 27.2%. This stack delivers a projected value of 1.82 points per $1000, indicating strong efficiency relative to its cost. The ownership and optimal lineup rates are closely aligned, suggesting that the stack is being utilized at near-optimal levels in DFS builds. Overall, the data reflects that this stack offers a high-value option with balanced exposure among DFS participants.

TOR PP1 ($21,700)

Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner

The TOR PP1 stack featuring Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner has a total salary of $21,700 with a projected value of 1.79 points per $1000, indicating solid efficiency relative to cost. The average ownership at 21.9% suggests moderate popularity among DFS players, while the optimal lineup rate of 25.5% reflects slightly higher utilization in lineups that maximize projected points. Overall, this stack presents a balanced combination of value and ownership within the current NHL DFS landscape.

VGK PP1 ($18,100)

Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, Shea Theodore

The VGK PP1 stack featuring Jack Eichel, Pavel Dorofeyev, and Shea Theodore carries a total salary of $18,100 with a projected value of 1.90 points per $1000, indicating solid efficiency relative to cost. The average ownership stands at 25.9%, reflecting moderate popularity among DFS players, while the optimal lineup inclusion rate is slightly lower at 23.6%, suggesting this stack is selected in just under a quarter of lineups deemed optimal by projections. Overall, this data positions the stack as a reasonably efficient and moderately utilized option within the current NHL DFS player pool.

C Plays

Top Play: Auston Matthews ($8,800)

Auston Matthews offers solid value at $8,800 against Florida, especially considering his 1.81x value mark and a strong presence in optimal lineups (36.2%). While he hasn’t scored much this postseason—just two goals in nine games—his playmaking has been consistent with eight assists over that span. The Panthers’ defense can be vulnerable to skilled centers who drive offense, making Matthews’ role on Toronto’s top power play an important factor in his upside.

His ownership sits near 22%, which reflects respect for his ceiling without pushing him into chalk territory. This moderate ownership allows for some leverage in tournaments while still keeping Matthews in plenty of lineups. Given the matchup and his ability to generate points through assists, he’s a reliable option with a stable floor and a chance for upside if he can break through on the scoresheet.

Honorable Mentions

• Connor McDavid ($9,000)
• Jack Eichel ($7,800)

W Plays

Top Play: Matthew Knies ($4,900)

Matthew Knies is showing strong value at $4,900 with a 1.86x value mark and solid recent production. He’s recorded four points over his last three games against Florida, including a game-winner and consistent shot volume. The Panthers’ defense has been vulnerable in this series, which boosts Knies’ upside given his role on Toronto’s top lines and power play.

His ownership sits around 18%, slightly above field average but well within reason considering his playoff form and matchup. With the game environment expected to be competitive and potentially high-scoring, Knies offers a balanced mix of floor through volume and ceiling via scoring chances. He fits well as a mid-tier tournament pivot who can differentiate lineups without sacrificing upside.

Honorable Mentions

• William Nylander ($6,800)
• Pavel Dorofeyev ($5,200)

D Plays

Top Play: Darnell Nurse ($4,600)

Darnell Nurse offers strong value at $4,600, especially given his steady top-four minutes and physical play on the Oilers’ blue line. He’s averaging over 2x value this postseason while providing a balanced mix of shots, blocks, and hits. The matchup against Vegas isn’t the easiest defensively, but Nurse’s ability to generate offense and contribute on special teams keeps his upside intact in a competitive series.

With moderate ownership around 13%, Nurse fits well as a core piece in tournament builds that need salary relief without sacrificing floor. His role remains consistent, and he’s shown flashes of scoring potential despite limited points overall. Given the game environment—a tight series with both teams pushing hard—he has enough upside to separate himself from cheaper defensemen while avoiding heavy chalk exposure.

Honorable Mentions

• Evan Bouchard ($6,300)
• Shea Theodore ($5,100)

G Plays

Top Play: Joseph Woll ($7,400)

Joseph Woll presents strong value at $7,400 given his recent workload and matchup against Florida. He’s ranked first in GPPs with a 1.76x value and appears in over a third of optimal lineups, which reflects the confidence in his ability to generate saves in what should be a competitive series. The Panthers have averaged around 30 shots per game this postseason, so Woll’s opportunity for volume is there, especially if the Maple Leafs rely on him to keep the score close.

While his ownership is relatively high at 28.6%, it aligns with his role as Toronto’s primary netminder and the need for stability in goal during this playoff series. At this price point, Woll offers a solid floor with upside tied to shot volume and potential saves bonus points. His performance hinges on whether he can maintain consistency against a potent Florida attack, but from a DFS perspective, he’s one of the safer goalie plays with an appealing combination of usage and value.

Honorable Mentions

• Adin Hill ($7,800)
• Stuart Skinner ($7,600)

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