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NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/8/25)

Nathan MacKinnon NHL DFS lineup picks daily fantasy hockey

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 March 8, 2025.

Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have an action-packed six-game slate on Saturday, March 8.

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).

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Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Colorado Avalanche L1 - Artturi Lehkonen ($5.7K/$6.8K) - Nathan MacKinnon ($9.2K/$9.2K) - Martin Necas ($6.2K/$7.6K)

Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs

Even though they do not have the best matchup on paper, it is hard to fade Nathan MacKinnon's line. Over his previous four games, MacKinnon has found the back of the net four times and added an incredible seven helpers. Artturi Lehkonen has tallied two points in each of his last two contests while Martin Necas has tallied six over his last four.

This unit has generated an elite 3.18 xGoals Per 60 with a strong 53.8 percent xGoals. Despite facing a Toronto defense that has done well to limit opposing teams during 5-on-5 play, it is hard to fade one of the hottest lines in the sport.

Calgary Flames L1 - Jonathan Huberdeau ($5.4K/$6.1K) - Nazem Kadri ($6.4K/$6.9K) - Matthew Coronato ($4.6K/$5.4K)

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

The Calgary Flames have one of the best matchups on the slate, facing the Montreal Canadiens, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Per 60 during even-strength play, according to MoneyPuck.

This top line, led by Nazem Kadri, has generated a strong 2.83 xGoals Per 60. Kadri has found the back of the net twice over his last three games. During this stretch, Jonathan Huberdeau has tallied three helpers.

All three of these forwards play on the top power play unit, which should also provide them with elite scoring opportunities throughout the contest.

Montreal Canadiens L1 - Cole Caufield ($6.1K/$7.1K) - Nick Suzuki ($5.7K/$7.7K) - Juraj Slafovsky ($5.3K/$5.7K)

Opponent - Calgary Flames

I would also suggest targeting the other top unit in this contest. Nick Suzuki has been one of the most productive players over the past two weeks as he has tallied 13 points (four goals) over his last six contests. During this same stretch, Cole Caufield has tallied at least one point in each contest and is riding a four-game goal streak into this contest.

This line has generated a strong 2.82 xGoals Per 60 according to MoneyPuck.

They will face the Calgary Flames who have allowed the 16th most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded and the 18th most during even strength. While this matchup might not look too favorable on paper, trust the hot hand and stack some of the most productive players in recent weeks.

Nashville Predators L1 - Steven Stamkos ($7.5K/$5.9K) - Ryan O'Reilly ($5.5K/$6.1K) - Luke Evangelista ($5.1K/$4K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Lastly, the final top unit to target is Nashville, which will face the Chicago Blackhawks. According to MoneyPuck, the Blackhawks have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play.

This unit has generated an impressive 3.4 xGoals Per 60 with a solid 58.6 percent xGoals across their first 30 minutes of shared ice time.

Steven Stamkos has tallied five points over his last two while Ryan O'Reilly has tallied four points over this span.

Other Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):  

  • TOR L1
  • DAL L1

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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Drew Doughty - Los Angeles Kings ($4.6K/$5.2K)

Opponent - St. Louis Blues

The Los Angeles Kings will be facing the St. Louis Blues who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against while shorthanded. Drew Doughty is the QB1 on the Los Angeles power play and should see high scoring chances against St. Louis.

Over his last six contests, Doughty has tallied four points (three helpers) with two of them coming on the man advantage.

Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens ($4.2K/$5.7K)

Opponent - Calgary Flames

Lane Hutson is carrying a six-game point streak into Saturday's contest. During this span, Hutson has tallied seven helpers and one goal. Hutson has tallied four of his points while on the power play.

Similar to their top forward unit, even though the Flames sit in the middle of the pack in terms of Expected Goals Against Per 60, Hutson is a great option given his offensive production, especially while on the man advantage.

Alex Vlasic - Chicago Blackhawks ($4K/$4.6K)

Opponent - Nashville Predators

My final defenseman to target is Alex Vlasic of the Chicago Blackhawks. Over his previous seven games, Vlasic has tallied four assists with three of them coming on the power play. During this span, he has also logged nine blocked shots with eight shots on goal.

Vlasic will be facing the Nashville Predators who have allowed the 13th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded and the 17th-most during 5-on-5 play. With Seth Jones now in Florida, Vlasic will see top minutes as the QB1 on the power play.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

  • Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($7.6K/$7K)
  • MacKenzie Weegar - Calgary Flames  ($6.2K/$6.1K)
  • Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars  ($5.8K/$6K)

 

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Juuse Saros - Nashville Predators ($8.5K/$7.8K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Even though Juuse Saros has had a disappointing campaign, he has won three of his past four contests and is in a great position to stay hot facing the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks have generated the fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 according to MoneyPuck.

Over his last six contests, Saros has allowed three goals or less in four of them.

Ilya Sorokin - New York Islanders ($8.1K/$8K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

My other goaltender to target is Ilya Sorokin. After holding an 0-4 record with a hefty 5.02 GAA, Sorokin has turned the corner as he has gone 3-1 over his last four games with a .918 save percentage and a 2.53 GAA.

According to MoneyPuck, Sorokin has saved 8.6 Goals Above Expected, which should play well against the Sharks team that has generated the sixth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60, according to MoneyPuck.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

  • Darcy Kuemper - Los Angeles Kings ($8.2K/$8.1K)

NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis




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REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

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Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

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David Martinez

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Jared Gordon

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Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
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Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Bryce Eldridge

Giants to Promote Bryce Eldridge
Jaren Jackson Jr.

Progressing in Recovery
Jonathan Kuminga

Receives New Offer From Warriors
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Bijan Robinson

Rushes for 143 Yards in Week 2
Justin Fields

Currently in Concussion Protocol
Cincinnati Bengals

Bengals Calling Around to Available Free-Agent Quarterbacks
Joe Burrow

to Undergo Surgery, Out at Least Three Months
Emil Heineman

Aiming to Take the "Next Step" This Season
Braeden Cootes

Good to Go for Camp
Ivan Fedotov

Blue Jackets Acquire Ivan Fedotov From Flyers
Aaron Jones Sr.

Injures Hamstring During Sunday Night Football
Darren Waller

Not Expected to Play in Week 3
Garrett Crochet

Punches Out 12 in Win
Cole Ragans

to Return on Wednesday
Jameson Williams

Records Long Touchdown in Week 2, Still Limited to Downfield Role?
George Kirby

Strikes Out 14 in Win
Jayden Daniels

Considered "Day-to-Day" with Knee Injury
Carlos Estévez

Carlos Estevez Exits with Back Tightness
Jonathan Taylor

Tops 200 Yards From Scrimmage in Week 2 Win
Joe Burrow

Could Miss Three Months if he Requires Toe Surgery
Davante Adams

Headlines Rams Receiving Corps Sunday
Wan'Dale Robinson

Explodes for 142 Yards, Touchdown in Overtime Thriller
Joe Flacco

Browns Not Considering Benching Joe Flacco After Week 2
Quentin Grimes

Still Not Close to a New Contract Agreement
Joel Embiid

"Looking Slender, Spry and in Positive Spirits"
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
Luis Arraez

Takes a Seat on Sunday With Head Injury
Adolis García

Adolis Garcia Activated, Starting on Sunday
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
Bryan Woo

Records Career-High 13 Strikeouts
Max Muncy

Exits Early on Saturday
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Salvador Perez

Reaches 300 Home Runs, 1,000 RBI
Jose Altuve

Exits Early With Foot Discomfort
Trey Yesavage

Heading to Big Leagues
Will Smith

Placed on 10-Day Injured List
Ivan Demidov

Turning Heads in Rookie Camp
NHL

Calvin de Haan Signs With Swedish Team
Samuel Girard

Skates With Non-Contact Jersey
Mackenzie Blackwood

Dealing With Injury Ahead of Training Camp
Spencer Knight

Signs Three-Year Extension With Blackhawks
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Corey Perry

Out 6-8 Weeks Following Surgery
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Dealing With a "Tweak"
BUF

Alexandar Georgiev Joins Sabres on One-Year Deal
Corey Perry

Injured During Pre-Camp Skate
CFB

Antonio Williams Out Against Georgia Tech
CFB

CJ Bailey Flashes Again in Win Over Wake Forest
CFB

Jaxson Moi a Game-Time Decision for Tennessee on Saturday
Jean Silva

A Favorite At Noche UFC 3
Diego Lopes

Set For Noche UFC 3 Main Event
Rob Font

Looks For His Third Consecutive Win
David Martinez

Set For Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
Rafa Garcia

An Underdog At Noche UFC 3
Jared Gordon

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
Dustin Stoltzfus

Looks To Return To The Win Column
Kelvin Gastelum

In Dire Need Of Victory
Diego Ferreira

Looks To Get Back In The Win Column
Malcolm Brogdon

Heading to Knicks on One-Year Deal
CFB

David Sanders Jr. Won't Play Against Georgia
Landry Shamet

Staying with the Knicks
CFB

Dylan Edwards Slated to Return on Friday
Adam Lowry

Aims for Early-Season Return
CFB

Ryan Williams Expected to Play Against Wisconsin
CFB

Billy Edwards Jr. Unlikely to Play on Saturday
P.J. Washington

Officially Signs Contract Extension
Lauri Markkanen

Big at Both Ends as Finland Books Place in EuroBasket Semis
Luka Dončić

Luka Doncic Notches 39 Points in Losing Effort
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Cam Reddish Expected to Move to Europe
NBA

Trey Lyles Joins Real Madrid
Charles Bassey

Signs Exhibit 10 Deal With Hawks
Sacramento Kings

Terence Davis Waived by Kings
Matthew Knies

Ready for Bigger Role With Maple Leafs
Jack Eichel

Unbothered by Lack of Extension
Sidney Crosby

Not Thinking About Leaving Pittsburgh
SJ

Michael Misa Signs Entry-Level Contract With Sharks
Rutger McGroarty

Nursing an Injury

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