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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on February 25, 2025. Brandon's NHL DFS goalies, value plays, stacks, and power play picks.
Welcome, RotoBallers! My name is Brandon, and I'll be writing both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer. It is the return of the NHL season, which means it's time to sharpen our skills and partake in NHL DFS! As always, I'll give you the best tools to succeed and the info you need to build the best lineups possible for your GPP and cash game NHL contests on both DraftKings and FanDuel.
Today, I'll be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. EST. Be sure also to check out RotoBaller's awesome NHL tools, including our Lineup Optimizer, Research Station, Projections, and DFS Cheat Sheets!
If you have any questions on today's slate, bankroll management, GPP strategy, cash game strategy, or anything else, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected], via X @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Best of luck!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 2/25/25
Tonight, we have a twelve-game slate and zero teams playing on a back-to-back. Tonight’s slate offers value across the board, offering creativity when building lineups.
The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are Utah with 3.5, Buffalo with 3.5, and Dallas with 3.5. I will do my best to guide you through this twelve-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EST.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.
DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks
Cam Talbot - DK $7.4K || FD $7.3K
Opponent - Minnesota Wild
There are plenty of low-salaried goalies on this 12-game slate tonight, however, not many fit the ‘value’ model. Cam Talbot happens to be one of the few goalies to make it. The netminder has a 3-1-1 record, a 2.78 Goals Against Average, and a 0.899 Save Percentage over his last five starts. Dive deeper into his last ten away starts, and he has a 0.896 Save Percentage, a 3.08 Goals Against Average, and a -0.39 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60. By no means are those numbers jumping off the page, and if they are, for the completely wrong reasons.
Luckily, the Minnesota Wild is the fifth-best team in value in Shots Per Goal Per 60 in their last ten games, excluding splits. In their last ten home games, they are also on the verge of becoming a bottom-ten club in Goals Per 60. If Talbot can lock in early, he has the potential to score as a top goalie on the slate.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Thompson (DK $8.3K || FD $8K)
- Ersson (DK $7.9K || FD $7.6K)
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DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Aleksander Barkov - DK $6.4K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - Nashville Predators
The Nashville Predators are in for a big test tonight. In the last ten games, the Florida Panthers, excluding splits, are the best offense in the league. Furthermore, the Nashville Predators are the third-worst defensive team in the last ten games, excluding splits. Winger and teammate Matthew Tkachuk is out for the foreseeable future, leaving the bulk of the offense on Aleksander Barkov's shoulders and the Panthers' top line. In the center’s last five outings, he has two goals, six assists, nine shots, and four blocked shots.
Barkov’s peripherals are less than ideal, and his point production keeps him relevant. Projected Predators starter Juuse Saros, in his last ten home games, has a 0.895 Save Percentage, a 2.81 Goals Against Average, and a –0.52 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60. If not for poor goaltending, Nashville would look much different this year. Considering Barkov will see the worst defensive line from the Predators, and he is in form, he is expected to reach double-digit fantasy points again.
Logan Cooley - DK $6K || FD $6.9K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Logan Cooley couldn’t have returned at a better time from injury. The center was activated from Injured Reserve after the 4 Nations Tournament, and he returned with a bang. He produced one goal on two shots in the 2-1 win over Vancouver. In his last five performances, he has one goal, one assist, 16 shots, and four blocked shots.
Utah is in a similar position to Florida. They both have arguably the most optimal matchup on the slate. Projected Blackhawk’s starter, Petr Mrazek, has a 0.832 Save Percentage, a 5.14 Goals Against Average, and a -2.32 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60 in his last ten away starts. Easily the worst numbers on the slate for any goalie. Chicago is also a bottom-ten team defensively. Expect Cooley to reach double-digit fantasy points in this matchup with the Blackhawks.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Nelson (DK $6K || FD $5.4K)
- Kulich (DK $5.2K || FD $5.6K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Tage Thompson - DK $7.9K || FD $7.9K
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
Tage Thompson used the 4 Nation’s break to his benefit, producing two goals, one assist, and four shots in the return to NHL play in an 8-2 win over the New York Rangers on Saturday. He now has six goals, five assists, 16 shots, and six blocked shots over his most recent five games.
The Anaheim Ducks have hit a complete 180 in their last ten away games, playing much-improved defense. However, they are still a bottom-five team in Shots Against Per 60. Thompson and company will go against the top six of the Anaheim Ducks–their worst defensive lines and pairing–setting them up for a potentially big night.
Mackie Samoskevich - DK $3.9K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - Nashville Predators
Mackie Samoskevich, a product of the 2021 NHL Draft, is getting the biggest opportunity of his young NHL career. As mentioned, teammate and fellow winger Matthew Tkachuk is expected to be out through the rest of the regular season, leaving an open position on the second line. Rumors are swirling, with one week until the NHL Trade Deadline and plenty of names available if the Florida Panthers feel it necessary to add for a chance at a repeat. This is where Samoskevich comes in. He will have the chance to fill that spot and prove they do not need to look elsewhere for a winger. Not only will he have a massive opportunity on the second line, but he will also be taking Tkachuk’s place on the top power-play unit. In Samoskevich’s last five games, he has one goal, 17 shots, and five blocked shots.
As mentioned, the Nashville Predators are playing well enough defensively, but their goaltending continues to disappoint them. If Florida can hit the ice at full speed, Mackie will reach value quickly.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Keller (DK $7.2K || FD $7.7K)
- Palmieri (DK $4.7K || FD $5.8K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Tony DeAngelo - DK $5.1K || FD $5.8K
Opponent - New York Rangers
Over the last ten games, excluding splits, the New York Rangers have had the worst defense, and it is not a competition. The visitors are struggling, and it was wise to protect their 2025 first-round selection. They may very well draft within the top ten by the end of the regular season. Nevertheless, Tony DeAngelo is making every opportunity count with the New York Islanders. The two-way defenseman now has three assists, nine shots, and eight blocked shots in his last five appearances.
A role on the top power-play unit and the second pairing for the Islanders sets up DeAngelo for success night in and night out. This may very well prove one of the most critical matchups of the season for both teams in a rivalry, fighting for the final playoff spot in the Metropolitan Division. Sitting at $5.1K on DraftKings, DeAngelo may very well exceed value tonight.
Sean Durzi - DK $4.2K || FD $5.3K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Sean Durzi is back for the Utah Hockey Club and it couldn’t come at a better time. The hosts have been struggling offensively from the blue line for some time now. Durzi’s ability to play both ends of the ice is a welcomed addition back to the lineup. In his first two games back, he has one assist, six shots, and three blocked shots. At only $4.2K on DraftKings, he will be one of the highest-owned players at any position tonight.
As mentioned, the Chicago Blackhawks are nothing to fear and if anything, Durzi will have numerous opportunities to get back into the point column.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Dahlin (DK $6.3K || FD $6.3K)
- Gostisbehere (DK $3.8K || FD $5.3K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- FLA1
- BUF1
- UTA1
- NYI1
- DAL1
- CAR1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- NYI: Tsyplakov-Nelson-Palmieri
Chalk Stack
- UTA: Keller-Cooley-Schmaltz
Sneaky Stack
- FLA: Rodrigues-Bennett-Samsokevich
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
