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NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (2/22/25)

Free daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Andy's NHL DFS expert picks to build winning DFS lineups on February 22nd, 2025.

Hello, RotoBallers! With the international break behind us, we are in the second half of the season and have another action-packed Saturday slate.

In this piece, I will discuss my favorite forward lines to target, defensemen, and goalies in tonight's action. Keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.

If you have questions about further strategy and managing the slate, please chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).

Holiday Special! Save 50% on any Premium Pass using discount code THANKS. Win more with our DFS, Betting and Season-Long Pass, get expert tools and advice from proven winners! GAIN ACCESS

 

Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Boston Bruins L1 - David Pastrnak ($8.7K/$8.5K) - Pavel Zacha ($5.8K/$5.7K) - Morgan Geekie ($5.3K/$5.6K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

The Boston Bruins will host the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even-strength play this season.

Before the international break, left wing David Pastrnak was riding an incredible 13-game point streak. During this stretch, the 28-year-old found the back of the net 11 times and added 15 helpers. Pavel Zacha has added four points (one goal) over his last five, while Morgan Geekie has scored twice over his last three.

Given that this line has generated a strong 2.7 xGoals Per 60, they should have elite scoring opportunities all evening, facing a weak defensive team. Even though Pastrnak carries a hefty salary, he is worth stacking with his linemates in this favorable matchup.

Ottawa Senators L2 - Brady Tkachuk ($7.9K/$6.7K) - Ridly Greig ($4.3K/$4.3K) - Drake Batherson ($5.8K/$6.1K)

Opponent- Montreal Canadiens

The Ottawa Senators will host the Montreal Canadiens, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Per 60. Leading up to the break, they allowed 15 goals in their last three games.

While the Senators have shuffled their lines quite often, given the injuries to Shane Pinto (upper body) and Josh Norris (upper body), targeting the unit with Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson could pay off well.

Batherson and Tkachuk have each scored five points (two goals, three helpers) over their last five games. Fantasy managers should keep an eye on Pinto's and Norris' status leading up to the game. If they are cleared for action, they could replace Ridly Greig in the center spot.

Columbus Blue Jackets  L1 - Dmitri Voronkov ($6.8K/$6.8K) - Adam Fantilli ($7.4K/$6.6K) - Kent Johnson ($5.8K/$6.5K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

The Columbus Blue Jackets will face the Chicago Blackhawks, who have allowed the sixth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play, according to MoneyPuck.

This top unit has been very productive, generating a strong 62.5 percent xGoals and a stellar 3.53 xGoals Per 60. Fantilli has dished out three helpers over his past five games, while Kent Johnson has scored three times (four points) over his last five.

In addition, Kirill Marchenko (jaw) could return to the lineup. If cleared for action, he will likely replace Johnson on the right wing. This line is already a strong option without Marchenko, but if he is cleared to return, they will become an elite stack.

Chicago Blackhawks L1 - Landon Slaggert ($4.4K/$4.4K) - Connor Bedard ($7K/$7.1K) - Ryan Donato ($5.4K/$6K)

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

I would also suggest targeting a line from their opponent in this contest. The Blue Jackets have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Per 60 and have struggled to find consistent goaltending. The Blue Jackets allowed 10 goals in their previous three games leading up to the international break.

Led by rising star Connor Bedard, this unit has generated an elite 3.41 xGoals Per 60 and a solid 55 percent xGoals.

Over his past eight games, Bedard has tallied eight points (three goals, five helpers). In addition, Ryan Donato is riding a three-game scoring streak (four goals in this span).

Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):  

  • VGK L1
  • LAK L3
  • TOR L1

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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens ($4.3K/$5.9K)

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators have struggled to defend the man advantage (third-most Expected Goals Against), which should set Lane Hutson up for a productive evening. The breakout rookie has become the top quarterback on the Montreal power play. Across 56 games this season, Huston has tallied 41 points, including 17 of them on the power play.

Over his last four games, Hutson has tallied two helpers and eight blocks and averaged just over 2.5 minutes on the power-play in each match.

Mason Lohrei - Boston Bruins ($4.2K/$4.4K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

With Charlie McAvoy (shoulder) expected to miss a significant period of time, Mason Lohrei will likely take over top power-play duties. This evening, he will face the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against while shorthanded.

Even though the 24-year-old has only tallied one helper over his previous nine games, before this cold stretch, he tallied six over his last five. Now expected to move up to the top pairing and power-play unit, Lohrei could be a sneaky play at his price, especially paired with Pastrnak's forward line.

Brent Burns - Carolina Hurricanes ($4.6K/$5.4K)

Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs

My final defenseman to target is Brent Burns of the Carolina Hurricanes. Typically, Shayne Gostisbehere has been deployed on the top power-play unit, but Burns has begun to take over that role.

Over his last four games, Burns has tallied two helpers (one on the power-play) while seeing just under 2.5 minutes of power-play each game. Before this stretch, he logged under a minute of power-play in each match.

Burns will face the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Against while shorthanded. The Hurricanes have been very effective on the power play, generating the highest Expected Goals Per 60. When the Hurricanes are on the slate, targeting an option on their power play is never a bad choice.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

  • Seth Jones - Chicago Blackhawks ($5.9K/$6.3K)
  • Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets ($7.6K/$7.6K)

 

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Adin Hill - Vegas Golden Knights ($8K/$7.8K)

Opponent - Vancouver Canucks

Adin Hill and the Vegas Golden Knights will host the Vancouver Canucks, who have generated the second-fewest Expected Goals Per 60. Before the international break, the Canucks scored more than two goals just once over their last four games.

Even though Hill was on a skid prior to the break, expect him to bounce back in a favorable setting on his ice.

Jeremy Swayman - Boston Bruins ($8.4K/$8K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

My other goaltender to target is Jeremy Swayman of the Boston Bruins. In his last two games before the break, Swayman held a strong 2.01 GAA and a .946 save percentage when facing a hefty 74 shots.

The Bruins will host the Anaheim Ducks, who have generated the ninth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during 5-on-5 play, according to MoneyPuck.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

  • Darcy Kuemper - Los Angeles Kings ($8.1K/$7.8K)

NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

J.T. Miller

Injured in Saturday's Win
Christian Watson

Should Be Able to Go Against Bears
Collin Sexton

Sidelined Again on Saturday Evening
Joel Embiid

Doubtful for Meeting with Dallas
Jaylen Brown

Not Expected to Play on Saturday Night
Rui Hachimura

Questionable Versus the Clippers
Al Horford

to Miss More Time With Back Injury
Seth Curry

Ruled Out vs Suns
Peyton Watson

Questionable Saturday Against Rockets
Tristan da Silva

Uncertain for Saturday Against Jazz
Jrue Holiday

Ruled Out Against Sacramento
Tari Eason

Still Sidelined Saturday vs Nuggets
Zach Bogosian

Unavailable Saturday
Marcus Johansson

Questionable for Saturday
Bo Horvat

to Miss Fourth Straight Game Saturday
Seth Jarvis

to Be "Out for a While"
Phillip Danault

Rejoins Canadiens for Draft Pick
Mason Marchment

Blue Jackets Acquire Mason Marchment
Ja Morant

to Miss Second Straight Game Saturday
Brandon Lowe

Pirates Acquire Brandon Lowe in Three-Team Trade
RJ Barrett

to Remain Out Saturday
Jakob Poeltl

Facing Another Potential Absence Saturday
Jerami Grant

Picks Up Questionable Tag
Deandre Ayton

to Miss Matchup Against Clippers Saturday
Lauri Markkanen

Unlikely to Play Saturday
Klay Thompson

Iffy for Saturday
Anthony Davis

Expected to Play Saturday
James Harden

Available Saturday
Domantas Sabonis

to Miss 4-5 More Weeks
Anthony Edwards

Returns Without Minutes Restriction Friday
Shane Baz

Orioles Acquire Shane Baz From the Rays
Jonathan Marchessault

Out Day-to-Day
Tristan Jarry

Oilers Place Tristan Jarry on Injured Reserve
Patrick Kane

to Remain Out Saturday
Shea Theodore

Considered Week-to-Week
Jack Eichel

to Miss at Least Two More Games
Davante Adams

Likely Won't Play in Week 17
Jordan Martinook

Misses Friday's Contest
Evan Rodrigues

Available Against Hurricanes
Tyler Seguin

Undergoes Surgery, to Be Re-Evaluated After Olympics
Marvin Harrison Jr.

Listed as Questionable for Week 16
Drake London

Expected to Play Sunday
Tee Higgins

Questionable to Play in Week 16
Michael Carter

Will Start at RB in Week 16
Dalton Kincaid

Will Practice on Friday, Expected to Play on Sunday
Garrett Wilson

Shelved for Remainder of 2025
CFB

Darian Mensah Returning to Duke Next Season
CFB

Josh Hoover Linked to Indiana in Transfer Portal
CFB

Arch Manning Agrees to Reduced Compensation for 2026 Season
Zach Werenski

Enjoys Second Consecutive Multi-Goal Game
Logan Thompson

Collects Second Shutout of the Season
Linus Ullmark

Blanks Penguins Thursday
Tyson Kozak

Hurt Against Flyers
Conor Timmins

to Miss 6-8 Weeks With Broken Leg
Tristan Jarry

Sustains Lower-Body Injury Versus Bruins
Kenneth Walker III

Breaks Off Long Touchdown in Comeback Win vs. Rams
Matthew Stafford

Racks Up Highest Yardage Total in Over a Decade
Puka Nacua

Delivers Career-Best Performance on Thursday Night Football
Michael King

Padres Bring Michael King Back on Three-Year Deal
Logan Webb

Will Pitch for Team USA in World Baseball Classic
Tarik Skubal

Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Jakobi Meyers

Jaguars Agree to Three-Year Extension With Jakobi Meyers
Davante Adams

Officially Out on Thursday Night
Devin Neal

Placed on Injured Reserve, Will Not Return in 2025
CFB

Will Muschamp Becoming Next Texas Defensive Coordinator
Christian Watson

Questionable for Week 16
Josh Jacobs

Listed as Questionable for Saturday Night
T.J. Watt

Unlikely to Play in Week 16
D'Andre Swift

Questionable to Face the Packers
Rome Odunze

Ruled Out for Week 16
Jawhar Jordan

Could be in for Significant Workload Against Raiders
Rome Odunze

Expected to Miss Third Straight Game
CFB

Beau Pribula Set to Enter Transfer Portal
Bo Bichette

Willing to Make the Move to Second Base
CFB

Jeremiyah Love Officially Heading to NFL Draft
CFB

Jake Merklinger Leaving Tennessee for Transfer Portal
Mike Trout

Angels Open to Mike Trout Playing Center Field in 2026
CFB

Kansas State's Jayce Brown Intends to Transfer
CFB

Nation's Leading Passer Drew Mestemaker to Enter Transfer Portal
Justin Crawford

Phillies Planning to Start Justin Crawford in Center Field
CFB

Jayden Maiava Signs New Deal to Return to USC
CFB

Aidan Mizell Won't Return to Florida, Entering Transfer Portal
CFB

East Carolina Targeting Jordan Davis as Next Offensive Coordinator
CFB

Michigan QB Jadyn Davis Set to Enter Transfer Portal
CFB

Travis Williams Joining Texas A&M Defensive Staff
CFB

Dylan Raiola Entering His Name into Transfer Portal
CFB

Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby Plans to Transfer When Portal Opens
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia, Phillies Finalizing One-Year Deal on Monday
Brandon Royval

Suffers First-Round TKO Loss
CFB

Baylor, LSU, Miami Among Potential Suitors for DJ Lagway
CFB

Aidan Chiles Will Enter Transfer Portal
Manel Kape

Shines At UFC Vegas 112
Kevin Vallejos

Gets Second-Round Knockout Win
Giga Chikadze

Suffers His First Career Knockout Loss
CFB

Quarterback DJ Lagway Entering Transfer Portal
Cesar Almeida

Gets Dominated
Cezary Oleksiejczuk

Wins Sixth Fight In A Row
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Suffers First-Round Knockout Loss
Melquizael Costa

Gets First-Round Knockout Win
Marcus Buchecha

Still Winless In The UFC
Kennedy Nzechukwu

And Marcus Buchecha Fight To Draw
Lance Gibson jr

Lance Gibson Jr. Drops Decision In His UFC Debut
King Green

Gets Back In The Win Column
Kenley Jansen

Agrees to One-Year Deal With Tigers
Merrill Kelly

Returns to Diamondbacks on Two-Year Deal

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP