NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (10/31): Value Plays, Goalies, Stacks

Welcome back to hockey season, RotoBallers! For those first-time readers, 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 then make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL 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 for Sunday, October 31st, 2020 at 4:00 PM. 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 10/31

Good Afternoon and welcome back! After last night’s pretty crazy slate, we are back with a smaller four-game slate. There are a few teams playing on the back-half of back-to-backs: Montreal, LA and New Jersey. Anaheim is on the slate as the fourth-highest goals against in the league, making Montreal a pretty good play.

Vegas Odds for the Day

Players Out

Rickard Rakell - W - Anaheim Ducks

Adam Boqvist - D - Columbus Blue Jackets

Nolan Patrick - C - Vegas Golden Knights

Jonathan Bernier - G - New Jersey Devils

Players Expected Back

NHL DFS Goalies

Elvis Merzlikins- DK $7.5K || FD $7.4K

Opponent - New Jersey Devils

Merzlikins will get a shot to rebound after getting shelled for four goals against the Rangers two nights ago. Even then, the netminder managed to throw together 33 saves and a 0.890 save percentage. With the Devils playing on the back-half of a back-to-back, the Jackets will look to take advantage of a tired New Jersey team.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Peterson(DK $8K || FD $7.1K), Shesterkin(DK $7.7K || FD $8K)

NHL DFS Centers

Boone Jenner-DK $5.3K || FD $3.9K

Opponent - New Jersey Devils

The Jacket Train will continue tooting here with a surprise price at center. Jenner is averaging two shots a game right now and just over 0.5 goals per game. The top-line center was just on a three-game goal streak before having two mediocre performances follow. He now gets a dance in Jersey with a less than fully fit Devils and he centers two dynamic wingers as well.

Anze Kopitar- DK $7.7K || FD $8.1K

Opponent - Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo is exceeding any expectations set prior to the season, but they will eventually fall back down to Earth. This is the time to catch them while we can. Kopitar has not been doing well lately, but he is coming off a two-assist game against the Canadiens yesterday. His line averages 3.5 goals per game and this is the spot to hit.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Strome(DK $5.6K || FD $5.7K), Zegras(DK $5.4K || FD $5.1K), Dvorak(DK $4.5K || FD $4.2K)

NHL DFS Wings

Wings

Kaapo Kakko- DK $2.7K || FD $4.4K

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Kakko will not be this underpriced on DraftKings for long. The winger is just coming back from injury and he resides on the second-line with teammate Artemi Panarin. Kappo only needs a few shots and he instantly hits value. If he happens to score or assist it will send him to the moon.

Mike Hoffman- DK $5.2K || FD $4.7K

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

Hoffman along with the rest of the Canadiens have struggled to find success and consistency this season. He is also averaging below 2.0 shots a game. Hoffman will soon break out and his price will start to soar playing on the top-line. Going against the Ducks who are averaging 3.4 goals against per game and their expected goals against per game (xGA) is 3.30, this is the perfect time to hop on the wagon.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Panarin(DK $ 7.2K || FD $7.9K), Brown(DK $ 6.4K || FD $4.9K), Gallagher(DK $4.3K || FD $5.1K), Donskoi(DK $4.1K || FD $3.9K), Schwartz(DK $3.5K || FD $4.4K)

NHL DFS Defensemen

Cale Klague- DK $2.5K || FD $3.5K

Opponent - Buffalo Sabres

Clague snuck through most contests in the shadows during his season debut against Montreal yesterday. The defender's price is still near the bottom of the barrel and he will continue to oversee the top power-play for the Kings. If there was ever a lock on the slate, this would be it.

Zach Werenski- DK $6.6K || FD $5.0K

Opponent - New Jersey Devils

We have yet another misprice, but this time at defense. Werenski is one of the top options at defense on the slate if not the top option and he is nowhere near the highest-priced defender. Once again this matches the tired Devils narrative and he quarterbacks the top power-play for Columbus. He is averaging just over 2.0 shots per game and just under 0.5 blocks per game.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Hamilton(DK $7.4K || FD $6.8K), Roy(DK $4.6K || FD $3.5K), Petry(DK $4.4K || FD $4.1K), Drysdale(DK $3.9K || FD $4.2K)