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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on March 20, 2025. Brandon's NHL DFS goalies, value plays, stacks, and power play picks.
Welcome, RotoBallers! My name is Brandon, and I'll be writing both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer. It is the return of the NHL season, which means it's time to sharpen our 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 bring my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. EST. Be sure also to check out RotoBaller's 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], via X @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Best of luck!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 3/20/25
Tonight, we have a 14-game slate and two teams playing on a back-to-back, Toronto and Colorado. Tonight’s slate offers value across the board, offering creativity when building lineups.
The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are: Carolina with four, Vegas with 3.5, and Los Angeles with 3.5. I will do my best to guide you through this 14-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EST.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.
DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks
Jacob Markstrom - DK $8K || FD $7.9K
Opponent - vs. Calgary Flames
Jacob Markstrom is everything the New Jersey Devils do not need right now. The netminder has a 1-4 record with a 4.23 Goals Against Average and a 0.829 Save Percentage in his last five starts. Furthermore, in his previous 10 home appearances, he has a 3.25 Goals Against Average, a -1.23 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60, and a 0.879 Save Percentage. His only saving grace is that Calgary is the fourth-best team in value when analyzing Shots Per Goal Per 60.
The entire goalie position is a question mark heading into tonight, with the trend of having to pay up inevitable if someone wants safety. Can Markstrom rebound after a poor last five games, or will he keep the Devils from achieving playoffs?
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Jordan Binnington (DK $7.8K || FD $7.7K) vs. Vancouver Canucks
- Jeremy Swayman (DK $7.1K || FD $6.9K) at Vegas Golden Knights
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DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Bo Horvat - DK $6.5K || FD $6.7K
Opponent - vs. Montreal Canadiens
Bo Horvat is far from ideal when picturing a top-line center in the NHL. However, his production has been more consistent as of late. The center has produced no less than five DraftKings points in his last five games. In that timeframe, he has one goal, one assist, 18 shots, and three blocked shots. His shot volume is what is helping him maintain value over this stretch.
When comparing Montreal’s last 10 away games to their previous 25 away games, they have a positive 0.17 Expected Goals Against Per 60 and are conceding 2.51 more Scoring Chances Against Per 60. Expected starter Sam Montembeault is the reason the Canadiens stay alive in games, and it will only be a matter of time before he breaks down again. Will that be tonight at UBS Arena?
Sam Bennett - DK $6.4K || FD $7K
Opponent - at Columbus Blue Jackets
Sam Bennett and the second line for the Florida Panthers is one of the top line matchups of the night. Bennett is projected to see the bottom nine of the Columbus Blue Jackets, AND Carter Verhaeghe (DK $6.4K || FD $6.2K) has returned to the second line, boosting production.
There are no significant defensive trends for the hosts. Although, they remain a bottom-10 defense in their last 10 home games, excluding Goals Against Per 60. This is another matchup that comes down to goaltending. Bennett is projected to reach value, though.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Ryan Strome (DK $4.3K || FD $5.6K) at Nashville Predators
- Jesperi Kotkaniemi (DK $4K || FD $4.4K) at San Jose Sharks
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Jackson Blake - DK $4.4K || FD $5K
Opponent - at San Jose Sharks
The Carolina Hurricanes undoubtedly have the best matchup of the night, even if it is in San Jose. The hosts will be running Georgi Romanov in the net tonight. The rookie goaltender is having another subpar season in the AHL, recording a 3.10 Goals Against Average and a 0.905 Save Percentage. Doesn’t help his favor either when analyzing the Sharks recent trends. They are currently conceding 0.51 more Goals Aganist Per 60 when comparing their last 10 home games to their last 25 home games.
In Jackson Blake’s most recent five appearances, he has one assist, 10 shots, and four blocked shots. Surprisingly, his shot volume is low, and he only has one point in five games. Considering Blake is still on Carolina’s top line and the second power-play unit in a prime matchup, his chances of reaching and surpassing value are high.
Connor Zary - DK $3.1K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - at New Jersey Devils
After a brief stint out of the lineup due to suspension, Connor Zary returned with a vengeance. The center/winger hybrid slotted onto the top line, producing one assist, four shots, and one blocked shot. He played the most minutes since January 2. He potentially gets an even better matchup against Markstrom and the New Jersey Devils.
As stated above, Markstrom is in poor form. He will either show up and carry the Devils tonight or continue to play below league average. Either way, Connor Zary is seeing top-line minutes. He is on the top power-play unit for the Flames, and he is only $3.1K on DraftKings. He will be expected to reach value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Alex Ovechkin (DK $8K || FD $8.87K) vs. Philadelphia Flyers
- Trevor Moore (DK $5.1K || FD $5K) at Chicago Blackhawks
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Luke Hughes - DK $5.1K || FD $5.4K
Opponent - vs. Calgary Flames
After multiple games in which Luke Hughes was under $5K on DraftKings, the platform finally increased his salary, albeit not by much. The young blueliner is only $5.1K on DraftKings and is still producing elite numbers. He has one goal, four assists, eight shots, and three blocked shots throughout his last five outings. His peripherals are starting to return to his average; however, his point production has remained consistent.
Despite the Flames being a bottom-10 defense in Scoring Chances Against Per 60, Shots Against Per 60, and High-Danger Chances Against Per 60, all over their last 10 away games, they continue to get bailed out by their goaltending. Projected starter Dustin Wolf did get rocked by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 6-2 loss on Monday, but overall, his numbers trend up. Hughes continues to be an integral part of the young Devils roster, and as long as he keeps getting chances, he will be worth every penny.
Alex Vlasic - DK $3.5K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - vs. Los Angeles Kings
Alex Vlasic is now on a two-game point streak, accumulating one goal, one assist, three shots, and seven blocked shots in that window. Pushing out to his most recent five games, he has two goals, one assist, six shots, and 10 blocked shots.
The Los Angeles Kings are not an easy opponent, but their goaltending is far from superior. If the young two-way defender keeps his form up, he will reach value with ease.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Shayne Gostisbehere (DK $4.8K || FD $5K) at San Jose Sharks
- Jackson LaCombe (DK $4.1K || FD $5.6K) at Nashville Predators
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- CAR1
- FLA1
- WAS2
- NYI1
- LA1
- DAL1
- COL1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- FLA: Verhaeghe-Bennett-Samoskevich
Chalk Stack
- CAR: Jarvis-Aho-Blake
Sneaky Stack
- CGY: Zary-Kadri-Pospisil
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
