NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/7/25)

2 weeks ago by Andy Smith

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Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have an action-packed six-game slate on Friday, March 7.

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

St. Louis Blues L1 - Pavel Buchnevich ($5.4K/$6K) - Robert Thomas ($5.9K/$7K) - Jake Neighbours ($5K/$4.7K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

The St. Louis Blues will be traveling to Anaheim to face the Ducks. The Ducks have allowed the highest Expected Goal Per 60 during five-on-five play, according to MoneyPuck, which should provide St. Louis with elite scoring opportunities all evening.

This top line has generated an impressive 3.2 xGoals Per 60 with a 55.6 percent xGoals.

Robert Thomas has been one of the hottest players in the sport over the past month as he is carrying an incredible 11-game point streak into this contest. During this stretch, he has found the back of the net five times and added 10 helpers.

Jake Neighbours scored three goals in his last five games, while Pavel Buchnevich scored nine points in his last seven games.

Jake Neighbours - St. Louis Blues (16) pic.twitter.com/fumWsAcqMl

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 6, 2025

Utah Hockey Club L1 - Clayton Keller ($7.7K/$7.9K) - Logan Cooley ($5.5K/$6.5K) - Nick Schmaltz ($5.3K/$6.4K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Clayton Keller and the Utah Hockey Club will be traveling to Chicago to face the Blackhawks, who have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Per 60 during even-strength play this season.

Keller has enjoyed a recent offensive surge as he has tallied 12 points (four goals) over his last seven games entering Thursday. Logan Cooley has tallied four points over his last four since returning from a lower-body injury while Nick Schmaltz has tallied six helpers over his last five.

This line has generated a solid 2.67 xGoals Per 60, which should play well against a weak defensive Chicago team.

Vegas Golden Knights L1 - Tanner Pearson ($3.3K/$3.6K) - Jack Eichel ($8.3K/$8.3K) - Mark Stone ($6.2K/$7.3K)

Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins

The Golden Knights will host the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins, who have lost their last three contests. During this span, they have allowed 13 goals and have only scored more than two goals in one game.

This top line has generated an impressive 4.54 xGoals Per 60 with a 68.4 percent xGoals. Over his last three games, Jack Eichel has tallied five points, with four of them coming on the power play. Even though Mark Stone and Tanner Pearson have not been as productive lately, expect them to bounce back facing a Pittsburgh team that ranks in the bottom 10 in Expected Goals Against in five-on-five play while short-handed.

Jack Eichel scores his 20th goal as the Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-2 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
pic.twitter.com/j0PVkINlGC

— Rockford Maverick (@RockfordMav) March 6, 2025

Washington Capitals L2 - Connor McMichael ($4.1K/$6.2K) - Pierre-Luc Dubois ($5.6K/$6.3K) - Tom Wilson ($6K/$6.8K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

My final line to target is the second unit in Washington. This line has generated an excellent 3.58 xGoals Per 60, which is the sixth-highest mark among forward lines that have played at least 175 minutes of shared ice time. It also boasts an above-average 53.5 percent xGoals, per MoneyPuck.

Over his last nine contests, Connor McMichael has found the back of the net four times and added five helpers. Dubois has found the back of the net three times over his last four games while Tom Wilson has tallied four points in his last two.

Facing the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed the eighth-most Expected Goals Per 60 during even-strength play and the most while short-handed, should provide this line with elite scoring opportunities.

Other Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):

VGK L3
WSH L1

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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

John Carlson - Washington Capitals ($5.4K/$5.8K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

Serving as the top QB on the Washington power play, John Carlson is an excellent stack with a Washington forward line. Even though he is in the midst of a four-game scoreless slump, facing a weak defensive team like Detroit suggests he should be due for some positive regression.

Before this minor slump, Carlson was riding an impressive nine-game point streak. During this span, he tallied 10 points, three of which came on the power play.

Jackson LaCombe - Anaheim Ducks ($4.8K/$5.9K)

Opponent - St. Louis Blues

The 24-year-old has enjoyed a recent surge in offensive production and is an intriguing play facing the St. Louis Blues, who have struggled to defend the power play. According to MoneyPuck, the Blues have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Per 60 while short-handed.

LaCombe is the QB1 on the Ducks and has tallied nine points over his last seven. During this stretch, the former second-round pick has tallied one power-play helper while tallying 13 shots on goal with 11 blocked shots.

Given his role in the Anaheim man advantage, he carries a strong value on the slate.

Noah Hanifin - Vegas Golden Knights ($5.2K/$5.1K)

Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins

My final defenseman to target is Noah Hanifin of the Golden Knights. Hanifin is currently the "new" QB1 of the Vegas power play as Shea Theodore (arm) is week-to-week with an injury.

Hanifin is currently carrying a four-game point streak into Friday's tilt. During this stretch, he has posted three multi-point showings, with four of his seven points coming on the power play. Facing a Pittsburgh defense that ranks bottom 10 in Expected Goals Allowed in both even strength and in special teams should provide Hanifin a great opportunity to stay hot on the scoresheet.

Noah Hanifin - Vegas Golden Knights (8) pic.twitter.com/99WuD4ysLc

— NHL Goal Videos (@NHLGoalVideos) March 6, 2025

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Cam Fowler - St. Louis Blues ($3.8K/$4.6K)
Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets ($6.7K/$6.2K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Adin Hill - Vegas Golden Knights ($8.4K/$7.9K)

Opponent - Pittsburgh Penguins

Adin Hill is riding a four-game win streak into Friday's home tilt against the Penguins. During this stretch, Hill has held a stellar 1.00 GAA with a .962 save percentage. The Penguins are one of the worst teams in the sport and should provide Hill with a great matchup to stay in the win column.

In addition, the Penguins hold the seventh-highest shot attempt percentage (Corsi), which will allow Hill to rack up a high total of saves en route to earning the victory.

Logan Thompson - Washington Capitals ($8.3K/$8.3K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

My other goalie to target is Logan Thompson of Washington. Thompson will host the Detroit Red Wings, who, unlike Pittsburgh, have failed to generate consistent offensive opportunities. According to MoneyPuck, the Red Wings have generated the fifth-fewest Expected Goals Per 60 during five-on-five play.

Even though Thompson has held a shaky 3-2-1 record over his last six, he carries a high floor facing a Detroit team that has failed to generate elite scoring chances.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):