Today's NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/9/22): Daily Fantasy Hockey

Brandon Wampler's top DraftKings and FanDuel NHL DFS value plays and research for April 9th, 2022 including DFS analysis for goalies, power plays and stacks.

Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon and I write both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for Tennis and Soccer respectively. If you have not checked those out, make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL season which means it's time to sharpen our MLB skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.

Today I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel Saturday, 9th, 2022 at 7:00 PM EST. Be sure to also check out our awesome NHL tools including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!

If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, Cash game strategy, or anything else don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] or via Twitter @df_solutions or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!

NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 4/9/22

Yesterday we were entertained with yet another fall from grace for the Buffalo Sabres and then a fantastic goal-fest featuring the Avalanche and the Jets. Tonight should encapsulate a few more crazy matches with some prime matchups as well and I will do my best in guiding you through this nine-game slate on DraftKings starting at 7:00 p.m. EST. 

There are only three teams playing on the second-half of a back-to-back: New York Islanders, St Louis and Colorado. The Canadiens and their league second-worst 3.76 GA will travel to Matthews and the Maple Leafs, while MacKinnon and the Avalanche and their league third-best 3.77 GF will clash with McDavid and the Oilers.

DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the news feed and play at your own risk

Vegas Odds for the Day

NHL DFS Goalies

Jacob Markstrom- DK $8.2K || FD $8.3K

Opponent - Calgary Flames

There are a few great options on the slate tonight at goalie, however, Markstrom stands out the most. Thanks to his plus matchup against an inconsistent offense, he has a great chance of being one of the top performers at his position. He could also snag a shutout if his defense in front of him can start playing hockey again. Although it is not a huge salary saver, Markstrom will provide slight relief to spend up elsewhere, while still providing solid value.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Campbell (DK $8.5K || FD $8.2K), Shesterkin (DK $8.3K || FD $8.4K, Binnington (DK $8.1K || FD $7.8K), Demko (DK $7.9K || FD $7.5K), Hart (DK $7.7K || FD $6.9K)

NHL DFS Centers

Austin Matthews-DK $9.6K || FD $10.4K

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

The Canadiens are certainly not the same Canadiens from the beginning of the season when they averaged seven goals against per game. However, Austin Matthews is also Austin Matthews and at this point, he can single-handedly do that himself. The centerman has 7 goals, 5 assists and 37 shots over his last five games. If that does not persuade you to instantly lock him in your lineups, then I don’t know what will.

Kevin Hayes- DK $4.7K || FD $5.1K

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

You have to save salary somewhere and why not get some value out of it too. Hayes is no stranger to my articles and hopefully, by now, nobody is a stranger to Hayes that reads my articles. The Philly pivot has provided much-needed support since his return to the ice about a month ago. Hayes instantly stepped into ex-Flyer Claude Giroux’s role after he departed for the land of snow in Denver and Hayes has not looked back. Over his last five games, he has 1 goal, 4 assists and 18 shots.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Draisaitl (DK $8.1K || FD $9.9K), Eichel (DK $7.8K || FD $7.5K), Larkin (DK $7.3K || FD $8.7K), Tavares (DK $6.1K || FD $7.6K), Strome (DK $3.9K || FD $5.8K), Roslovic (DK $3K || FD $3.7K)

NHL DFS Wings

Michael Rasmussen- DK $2.5K || FD $3.7K

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

This is your value play of the night with Rasmussen taking over teammate Tyler Bertuzzi’s spot on the top-line. The natural center, remade winger has 4 goals and 8 shots in his last five games. Those numbers will not continue, but there is no reason to not take advantage of a hot stick. Especially, with the plus matchup against the Blue Jackets’ poor defense.

Max Pacioretty- DK $6.7K || FD $8.5K

Opponent - Arizona Coyotes

Patches is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the Coyotes and it could not come at any better of a time. Not only is Eichel getting his favorite winger back, but Pacioretty should also be overlooked with an abundance of options at the position in good matchups. Prior to his injury, he had 2 assists and 16 shots in five games.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Marner (DK $7.8K || FD $9.8K), Tkachuk (DK $7.2K || FD $8.1), Laine (DK $6.6K || FD $7.7K), Petersson (DK $5.5K || FD $6.7K), Copp (DK $4.8K || FD $5.2K), Tippett (DK $2.5K || FD $3.2K)

NHL DFS Defensemen

Oliver Ekman-Larsson- DK $4.2K || FD $4.2K

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

Ekman-Larsson or OEL, is going through yet another resurgence while teammate Quinn Hughes is out of the lineup. OEL is known for his offensive prowess and two-way game, but he hasn't gotten to show much of either since his arrival to Vancouver. Now that Hughes is out, Ekman-Larsson gets the keys to the Ferrari again and he hasn't looked back. In the two games since he took over, he has 3 assists, 4 shots and 1 blocked shot.

Jake Walman- DK $3.2K || FD $3.9K

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

Walman looks like he has gotten the bill of confidence by his coaching staff and he is a full-blown starter now. The young defenseman has shown instant improvements on the blueline for the Red Wings. He is also a solid peripheral player with 12 shots and 6 blocked shots over his last five games. Walman also has 2 assists during that time frame. 

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Makar (DK $7.5K || FD $7.1K), Werenski (DK $7.2K || FD $6.3K), Trouba (DK $5.5K || FD $5.3K), Giordano (DK $4.3K || FD $5.2K), Drysdale (DK $3.3K || FD $4.1K), York (DK $3.1K || FD $3.8K)

NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks

• TOR1
• CGY1
• VGK1
• DET1
• PHI1

Brandon's Stack of the Day

DET: Rasmussen-Larkin-Raymond

Chalk Stack

TOR: Nylander-Matthews-Marner

Sneaky Stack

PHI: Tippett-Hayes-York