NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/12/25)

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 April 12, 2025.

Hello, RotoBallers! We are approaching the final week of the regular season, and the Stanley Cup Playoffs are right around the corner. This is the final Saturday slate of the regular season.

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

Winnipeg Jets L1 - Kyle Connor ($7.9K/$8.3K) - Mark Scheifele ($6.3K/$7.6K) - Alex Iafallo ($4.5K/$4.6K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

The Winnipeg Jets are on the verge of clinching the top seed in the Central Division, and a win over the Blackhawks can put them in the driver's seat. As a result, stacking the top unit is a strong choice on this slate.

According to MoneyPuck, this line has generated 2.78 xGoals For Per 60 with a 59.8 percent xGoals. On Thursday evening, Kyle Connor found the back of the net twice during their victory over the Dallas Stars. Mark Scheifele has tallied seven points (three goals) over his last seven.

This evening, they will face the Blackhawks, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 according to MoneyPuck during 5-on-5 play.

Toronto Maple Leafs L1 - Matthew Knies ($5.9K/$6.4K) - Auston Matthews ($9.3K/$9.1K) - Mitch Marner ($7.2K/$7.5K)

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

The top unit in Toronto has generated an impressive 3.4 xGoals For Per 60 with a 58.4 percent xGoals. These metrics should play very well against the Canadiens, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 according to MoneyPuck.

Matthew Knies enters Saturday's divisional contest on a hot stretch as he scored a hat trick against Tampa Bay on Wednesday evening. In addition, both Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews have only been held off the scoresheet once over their past nine contests.

MATTHEW KNIES HAT TRICK!!! 🎩🎩🎩 pic.twitter.com/3VJRa5yrEd

— NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025

St. Louis Blues L1 - Pavel Buchnevich ($6K/$6.1K) - Robert Thomas ($6.7K/$7.4K) - Jordan Kyrou ($6.5K/$7K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Robert Thomas enters this contest against the Seattle Kraken riding a 10-game point streak. During this impressive stretch, Thomas has tallied 18 helpers with four goals. Even though Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou have not enjoyed as much success, they are a top play against the Seattle Kraken.

According to MoneyPuck, the Kraken have allowed the seventh-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play and the ninth-most while shorthanded. This top unit has generated a strong 3.3 xGoals Per 60 and should be set up for continued success against a weak Seattle defense.

BASEBALL? HOCKEY.

What a goal by Robert Thomas 😅 pic.twitter.com/HU19iqvnlw

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 22, 2025

Dallas Stars L1 - Jason Robertson ($7.1K/$7.8K) - Roope Hintz ($5.8K/$7.5K) - Mikko Rantanen ($6.8K/$6.9K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

My final top unit to target is the top unit in Dallas. While Dallas will have an uphill battle to claim the top spot in the Central Division over Winnipeg, they will enter this game still in the mix, and as a result, will continue to give their starters a full workload. According to MoneyPuck, this unit has generated a solid 2.73 xGoals For Per 60.

Mikko Rantanen has tallied nine points over his last eight games, while Jason Robertson has tallied four in his last five. Even though they have a slightly tougher matchup against Utah (11th-fewest Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5), fantasy managers should expect them to be busy in this game, with a division title on the line.

Other Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):  

• TOR L2
• VGK L1

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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Quinn Hughes - Vancouver Canucks ($6.8K/$6.3K)

Opponent - Minnesota Wild

Quinn Hughes and the Vancouver Canucks will play host to the Minnesota Wild. Even though the Wild are one of the better defensive units during 5-on-5 play, their penalty kill does not carry similar metrics. According to MoneyPuck, during 4-on-5 situations, they have allowed the 11th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60.

Hughes has tallied seven points over his last eight games, with three of them coming on the power play. During this stretch, he has logged two shots on goal per game and seen just under four minutes of average power-play ice time per game.

Cam Fowler - St. Louis Blues ($4.2K/$5.3K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Came Fowler is a great target to stack with the top St. Louis forward line. As said above, the Kraken have struggled to defend in both aspects of the game. While shorthanded, they have allowed the ninth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 according to MoneyPuck.

Fowler has become St. Louis' clear top quarterback on the power play. Over his previous eight contests, Fowler has found the back of the net twice and added seven helpers. The 33-year-old has tallied three of these assists while on the man advantage.

Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens ($5.3K/$6.2K)

Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs

My final defenseman to target has been a popular play of mine this season. The rookie star has a great matchup against the Toronto Maple Leafs as he looks to lead the Canadiens to a playoff birth.

Lane Hutson is the top power-play quarterback in Montreal. Over his last nine games, Huston has tallied 10 helpers with one goal. During this stretch, he has averaged two blocked shots per game and just over 2.5 minutes of power-play time each game. He has a great matchup against the Leafs, who have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded.

A Lane Hutson laser beam. 🤯

Electric Goal of the Week presented by @HyundaiCanada pic.twitter.com/JGT9BOyUT1

— NHL (@NHL) April 10, 2025

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars ($5.8K/$5.9K)
• Shea Theodore - Vegas Golden Knights ($5.7K/$5.8K)
• Josh Morrissey - Winnipeg Jets ($6.1K/$6K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Connor Hellebuyck - Chicago Blackhawks ($8.4K/$8.2K)

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

The Winnipeg Jets will look to clinch the Central Division with a victory over the Blackhawks. Connor Hellebuyck will be a popular play on this slate, but still carries elite upside and is worth considering.

In his last outing on Thursday, he shut the door against the Dallas Stars, stopping all 25 shots he saw. Over his last eight, he has held a strong 6-2 record with a 1.63 GAA. According to MoneyPuck, the Blackhawks have generated the fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 this season.

Jordan Binnington - St. Louis Blues ($7.6K/$7.8K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

My other goaltender to consider is Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues. While his incredible seven-game winning streak came to an end in his previous start against the Oilers, he is poised to bounce back against the Kraken.

During his seven-game winning streak, Binnington held a stellar 1.84 GAA with a .931 save percentage. This evening, he will face the Kraken, who have generated the sixth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during 5-on-5 play according to MoneyPuck.

Other Options To Consider:

• Adin Hill - Vegas Golden Knights ($8.3K/$8.1K)

NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts

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