NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/1/25)

3 weeks ago by Andy Smith

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Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have an action-packed slate on Saturday evening.

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).

Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Ottawa Senators L1 - Brady Tkachuk ($7.7K/$6.7K) - Tim Stutzle ($7.6K/$6.8K) - Claude Giroux ($5.6K/$5.6K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

The Ottawa Senators have the best matchup on paper, facing the San Jose Sharks who have allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60. Tim Stutzle has been one of the top forwards over the past month as he is carrying an impressive 10-game point streak into Saturday's contest.

During this stretch, he has tallied 14 points (three goals) with six of the points coming on the power-play.

This line has generated a strong 64.6 percent xGoals with 2.53 xGoals Per 60. Even if left wing Brady Tkachuk (lower body) is still sidelined, Stutzle is a strong anchor to pair with his right wing Claude Giroux, who was riding a six-game point streak prior to his current five-game slump.

Tim Stutzle - Ottawa Senators (18) pic.twitter.com/7hqFweS0CT

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) February 23, 2025

Buffalo Sabres L1 - JJ Peterka ($6.1K/$6.1K) - Tage Thompson ($7.6K/$8.1K) - Jiri Kulich ($4.6K/$5.3K)

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

The Buffalo Sabres will be hosting the Montreal Canadiens, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Per 60 during 5-on-5 play, according to MoneyPuck. While they have been playing better defensively as of late (five goals allowed in their last three) before this stretch, they allowed a hefty 15 goals in their previous three.

This unit has generated an impressive 3.61 xGoals Per 60 which should provide them with elite scoring opportunities, especially when facing a struggling defensive team. Tage Thompson has tallied 11 points over his last five while JJ Peterka is riding a two-game goal streak into this contest.

Montreal Canadiens L1 - Cole Caufield ($6.9K/$6.9K) - Nick Suzuki ($6.1K/$7.3K) - Juraj Slafkovsky ($5.2K/$5.7K)

Opponent - Buffalo Sabres

I would also suggest targeting the opposing top unit in this contest as this game has the potential to be quite high scoring given the weak defensive play. The Sabres have had their own defensive struggles, allowing the eighth-most Expected Goals Per 60 during even-strength play and 13th-most while shorthanded.

Nick Suzuki has been one of the hottest players in the sport as he has tallied at least two points in each of his previous three contests and three points in each of his last two. During this three-game stretch, left wing Cole Caufield and right wing Juraj Slafkovsky have found the back of the net twice.

This unit has generated 2.84 xGoals Per 60 and will be a popular stack given their recent offensive surge.

Montreal goal!

Scored by Cole Caufield with 01:39 remaining in the OT period.

Assisted by Nick Suzuki and Sam Montembeault.

Montreal: 4
San Jose: 3#SJSvsMTL #GoHabsGo #TheFutureIsTeal pic.twitter.com/A9ajI7v8iL

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 28, 2025

New Jersey Devils L1 - Ondrej Palat ($3.1K/$5K) - Jack Hughes ($8K/$8.3K) - Jesper Bratt ($5.9K/$6.9K)

Opponent - Utah Hockey Club

My final line to target may not have the best matchup, but has been one of the more consistent options throughout the campaign. Led by superstar Jack Hughes, this line has generated an elite 3.07 xGoals Per 60 with a solid 53.1 percent xGoals.

Hughes is riding a four-game point streak (six points) into Saturday's contest. Jesper Bratt was carrying an impressive 10-game point streak but recently saw it snapped in his previous outing on Wednesday evening.

They will face the Utah Hockey Club, who have allowed the 13th fewest Expected Goals Against Per 60. Given that their matchup may not be the best on paper, they could be an intriguing contrarian stack if you want to avoid the lines with favorable matchups.

Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):

CHI L1
WPG L1

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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Jake Walman - San Jose Sharks ($5.3K/$5.9K)

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

Jake Walman has enjoyed a career season in his debut campaign in San Jose. The 29-year-old has seen top minutes in all aspects of the game and has not disappointed. Through 47 games, he has tallied 30 points, with seven of them coming on the power-play.

Over his last six, Walman has tallied two points (both helpers) while averaging a stellar 3.6 blocked shots per game.

Facing the Ottawa Senators, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Per 60 while shorthanded, should provide Walman elite scoring opportunities on the power play. In addition, given his ice time, he should be in a great position to tally over three blocked shots to earn the DraftKings bonus.

Quinn Hughes - Vancouver Canucks ($6.1K/$6.9K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

After missing six games with a lower-body injury, Quinn Hughes wasted little time returning to the scoresheet as he tallied the game-winning assist in Wednesday's victory over the Los Angeles Kings.

Before his injury, the star defenseman was riding an eight-game point streak where he tallied 12 points including four of them on the power-play. This evening, he will face the Seattle Kraken, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Per 60 when shorthanded. Do not be afraid to pay a high salary for him on this slate.

Vancouver goal!

Scored by Conor Garland with 00:34 remaining in the OT period.

Assisted by Quinn Hughes and Filip Chytil.

Los Angeles: 2
Vancouver: 3#VANvsLAK #GoKingsGo #Canucks pic.twitter.com/Brf597MfEd

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 27, 2025

Jake Sanderson - Ottawa Senators ($6.5K/$5.7K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

Jake Sanderson is in the midst of a minor slump (one point over his last four) but should be primed to return to form in this contest. Before this slump, Sanderson carried a six-game point streak in which he scored three goals and added seven helpers.

During this stretch, he averaged three shots on goal per game while averaging 1.8 blocked shots per game.

Sanderson will face the San Jose Sharks and is a great option to stack with their top forward line as the Sharks have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded and the most during 5-on-5 play.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Thomas Chabot - Ottawa Senators ($6.3K/$5.7K)
Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets ($6.2K/$6K)
Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens ($4.2K/$5.4K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Lukas Dostal - Anaheim Ducks ($8.2K/$7.9K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Lukas Dostal and the Anaheim Ducks will host the Chicago Blackhawks, who have generated the fewest Expected Goals For Per 60, according to MoneyPuck. Over his last five games, Dostal has held a 3-2 record. He allowed one goal or fewer in two of the games in his three victories. However, in his losses, he held a high 4.04 GAA.

While the 24-year-old has struggled to find consistency, he should be in a good position to have a strong showing facing a struggling Chicago offense.

Kevin Lankinen - Vancouver Canucks ($7.6K/$8.1K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

My other goaltender to target is Kevin Lankinen who has taken over the Vancouver crease with Thatcher Demko (lower body) sidelined. Over his last three games, Lankinen has held a 2-1 record with a strong .939 save percentage with a 1.75 GAA.

He will travel to Seattle to face the Kraken who have generated the third-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during 5-on-5 play and the 14th-fewest while on the power-play. Take the discount and ride the hot hand in a favorable matchup.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):