FREE 1/27 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a compact 5-game NHL slate tonight, and there’s plenty to consider when building your DFS lineups. The highest total on the board belongs to the SEA @ EDM matchup (6.5), where both Joey Daccord and Calvin Pickard are confirmed in net—making this a prime spot to target offensive firepower. The PIT @ SJS game also carries a 6.5 total, with Alex Nedeljkovic and Yaroslav Askarov set to start, creating another appealing environment for goal-scoring upside.

For those looking at tighter matchups, all three early games (LAK @ DET, NJD @ PHI, VAN @ STL) feature 5.5 totals and some solid goaltending options, particularly Thatcher Demko and Cam Talbot. These contests might lean more toward lower-event hockey but could provide sneaky value for secondary stacks or contrarian plays.

Top Stacks

EDM PP1 ($24,100)

Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, Evan Bouchard

The EDM PP1 stack of McDavid, Draisaitl, and Bouchard offers elite upside with a projected 46.5 points, driven by their strong correlation on the power play and consistent offensive production. However, the high total salary of $24,100 and average ownership of 32.4% limit its overall tournament viability due to reduced leverage compared to the optimal rate of 23.9%. While their value at 1.93 pts/$1000 is solid for a high-salary stack, it requires a favorable game environment with significant scoring to pay off in large-field GPPs. This stack is best suited for tournaments where raw points are prioritized over contrarian builds but may lack differentiation in chalk-heavy contests.

PIT PP1 ($20,900)

Sidney Crosby, Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell

The PIT PP1 stack of Crosby, Rust, and Rakell offers strong upside due to elite correlation on the top power-play unit, with Crosby driving production and Rust and Rakell providing finishing ability. A projected total of 38.7 points at a reasonable $20,900 salary gives it a solid value of 1.85 pts/$1000, though its average ownership of 19.8% slightly limits leverage in tournaments. The optimal rate of 18.5% aligns closely with its ownership, making it a neutral play in terms of risk-reward relative to the field. This stack is viable in tournaments when targeting a high-scoring game environment but may require differentiation elsewhere in lineups given its popularity.

NJD PP1 ($20,400)

Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt

The NJD PP1 stack of Jack Hughes, Timo Meier, and Jesper Bratt offers a high-upside option with strong correlation due to their shared power-play usage and elite offensive roles. Their projected points of 35.1 at an average ownership of 10.9% make them a viable tournament play, especially given their 13.4% optimal rate, which exceeds their ownership, signaling positive leverage. With a value of 1.72 pts/$1000, the stack is reasonably efficient for its salary, particularly in high-scoring game environments where New Jersey’s potent power play can exploit opposing penalty kills. This stack is well-suited for tournaments given its ceiling potential and modest ownership relative to its upside.

C Plays

Top Play: Connor McDavid ($9,000)

Connor McDavid ($9,000) makes for a top-tier play tonight in his return from suspension, facing a Seattle team that has struggled defensively this season. McDavid leads all skaters on the slate with a 33.3% optimal lineup rate and projects for a hefty 17.5 DK points, making him both a high-floor and high-ceiling option despite his steep salary. His elite production—65 points in 43 games—combined with his ability to generate consistent shot volume (131 SOG) and power-play exposure makes him nearly matchup-proof. Against a Kraken penalty kill hovering near league average, McDavid’s offensive upside is undeniable.

That said, his projected ownership of 41.4% will make him one of the chalkiest plays on the slate, which limits his appeal in tournaments if you’re chasing leverage. However, fading him comes with significant risk given his role as Edmonton’s offensive centerpiece in what could be a high-event game environment against Seattle’s inconsistent defense and goaltending. If you’re looking for differentiation in large-field GPPs, consider building unique stacks around McDavid or pairing him with lower-owned teammates to mitigate the ownership concerns while still taking advantage of his slate-breaking potential.

Honorable Mentions

• Leon Draisaitl ($8,800)
• Sidney Crosby ($7,500)
• Jack Hughes ($8,500)

W Plays

Top Play: Zach Hyman ($5,900)

Zach Hyman stands out as one of the top value plays on this slate at $5,900. His strong projection of 12.1 DK points and a 2.05x value rating make him a reliable option in all formats. Hyman’s role alongside Edmonton’s elite talent ensures consistent opportunities to produce, and his recent performance—two goals, a power-play assist, and six shots against Vancouver—shows he’s capable of delivering in favorable spots. Seattle’s defense is middle-of-the-pack, but their penalty kill ranks in the bottom third of the league, which bodes well for Hyman given his involvement on Edmonton’s top power-play unit.

The biggest consideration here is ownership, with Hyman projected at 30.2%, making him one of the chalkiest plays on the slate. While that limits his leverage appeal in tournaments, his inclusion in over 15% of optimal lineups highlights how strong a play he is at this salary. If you’re looking to differentiate in GPPs, consider pairing him with lower-owned Edmonton skaters or fading altogether if you’re willing to take on more risk. For cash games, though, Hyman offers an excellent mix of floor and ceiling at this price point.

Honorable Mentions

• Bryan Rust ($6,800)
• Rickard Rakell ($6,600)
• Jordan Kyrou ($6,000)

D Plays

Top Play: Evan Bouchard ($6,300)

Evan Bouchard ($6,300) stands out as a strong DFS option on tonight’s slate, especially in tournaments. His offensive role on Edmonton’s top power-play unit is key here, as he faces a Seattle team that ranks near the middle of the pack in penalty kill efficiency. Bouchard has been productive lately, with 10 points in his last 12 games and 12 total power-play points this season. His shot volume (133 shots through 48 games) provides a solid floor, while his ability to contribute offensively gives him ceiling potential in this matchup. At a projection of 12.28 DK points and appearing in 13.7% of optimal lineups, he offers both safety and upside at his price point.

The main concern is ownership, with Bouchard expected to be rostered by over 23% of the field. While that makes him less appealing as a contrarian play, his value at 1.95x and consistent production justify the chalk in cash games or smaller-field contests. If you’re building GPP lineups, consider using him alongside less popular Edmonton stacks to differentiate your roster while still leveraging his upside in a favorable spot. With Seattle’s inconsistent defensive metrics and Edmonton’s elite power play, Bouchard is well-positioned for another impactful performance tonight.

Honorable Mentions

• Jake Walman ($6,000)
• Quinn Hughes ($7,300)
• Kris Letang ($4,900)

G Plays

Top Play: Jake Allen ($7,600)

Jake Allen ($7,600) presents an intriguing option for tournaments tonight as he takes on the Flyers in Philadelphia. The matchup is fairly neutral, with the Flyers ranking 16th in goals per game (2.94), but Allen’s recent form and strong value metrics make him worth considering. Over his last two starts, he’s secured back-to-back wins while posting a respectable 2.67 GAA and .902 save percentage across 16 appearances this season. At $7,600, his 1.47x value rating and appearance in 13.6% of optimal lineups suggest he’s priced appropriately for his upside.

However, ownership could be a concern here with Allen projected at 17.9%, making him one of the more popular goalie options on the slate. While that limits his leverage appeal slightly, his mid-tier salary offers flexibility for stacking higher-priced skaters in favorable spots. If you’re looking to differentiate your lineup construction in tournaments, Allen provides a solid mix of stability and upside without breaking the bank—just keep in mind that he may not fly under the radar given his recent success and favorable metrics.

Honorable Mentions

• Alex Nedeljkovic ($8,200)
• Cam Talbot ($8,000)
• Jordan Binnington ($7,900)

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