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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on April 1, 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 bring my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Tuesday, April 1, 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 4/1/25
Tonight, we have a 10-game slate and two teams playing on a back-to-back: Nashville and Calgary. Tonight’s slate offers value across the board, allowing for creativity when building lineups.
The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are: Ottawa with 3.9, Anaheim with 3.8, and Vegas with 3.7. I will do my best to guide you through this 10-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
Elvis Merzlikins - DK $7.8K || FD $7.5K
Opponent - vs. Nashville Predators
When is enough enough? Is this the game that Elvis Merzlikins finally puts it to bed and has a significant performance? The goaltender has a 2-2-1 record with a 3.5 Goals Against Average and a 0.887 Save Percentage over his last five starts. Furthermore, in his last 10 home games, he has a 0.68 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60, a 2.19 Goals Against Average, and a 0.930 Save Percentage. It is very clear that he is getting unlucky in his starts, and it is only a matter of time until positive regression comes knocking on his door.
When comparing the last 10 away games to the last 25 away games, the Nashville Predators are producing 0.4 fewer Goals Per 60 and have a -0.33 Expected Goals Per 60. The visitors are also the third-best on the slate when analyzing Shots Per Goal Per 60. The Nashville Predators are playing the second half of their back-to-back on the road and are eliminated from playoffs. The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the outside looking in, with two games in hand. Expect Merzlikins to be focused and ready for two more crucial points.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Adin Hill (DK $8K || FD $7.6K) vs. Edmonton Oilers
- Andrei Vasilevskiy (DK $7.9K || FD $7.8K) at New York Islanders
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DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Aleksander Barkov - DK $7.3K || FD $7.4K
Opponent - at Montreal Canadiens
Aleksander Barkov is in form right now with one goal, four assists, nine shots, and three blocked shots over his most recent five outings. His shot volume is concerning; however, when playing with Carter Verhaeghe and Sam Reinhart (DK $8.1K || FD $8K), he tends not to take as many shots. Nevertheless, his point production is making up for it. Barkov now has a three-game point streak with four assists.
The Montreal Canadiens are sitting around the league average right now in metrics against Per 60. However, they are still in the bottom 10 in Goals Against Per 60. Expected starter Sam Montembeault is also performing better, though he still has a 0.890 Save Percentage in his last 10 home starts. Barkov is projected to continue his point streak with at least one point and two shots.
Alexander Wennberg - DK $3.7K || FD $4.5K
Opponent - at Anaheim Ducks
This California matchup has goal-fest all over it, and Alexander Wennberg could be a big beneficiary. The veteran center has one goal, eight shots, and six blocked shots throughout his last five games.
In this matchup in Anaheim, he is projected to see Anaheim’s worst pairing–third pairing–and their worst defensive line. Wennberg will also be getting new linemates to help jumpstart his production. For under $4K on DraftKings in a matchup against the defenseless Ducks, Wennberg tops the chart for value plays on the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Robert Thomas (DK $6.1K || FD $7K) vs. Detroit Red Wings
- Mason McTavish (DK $5.8K || FD $6.1K) vs. San Jose Sharks
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Nikita Kucherov - DK $8.7K || FD $9.2K
Opponent - at New York Islanders
Jon Cooper decided to break apart one of the best and most successful lines in all of hockey. He then reunited them, and the production has been off the charts. Nikita Kucherov has four goals, nine assists, 25 shots, and three blocked shots in his last five appearances. He also has a two-game four-point streak going.
The New York Islanders, when comparing their last 10 home games to their last 25 home games, are conceding 0.51 more Goals Per 60 and 2.63 more Scoring Chances Against Per 60. Projected starter Ilya Sorokin also has a 3.03 Goals Against Average and a 0.881 Save Percentage throughout his last 10 home starts. Kucherov is expected to continue his dominant form in this matchup tonight.
Tyler Toffoli - DK $5.6K || FD $6.5K
Opponent - at Anaheim Ducks
Despite San Jose’s second line being mentioned already, Tyler Toffoli cannot be overlooked. The veteran winger is only $5.6K on DraftKings and has been reunited on the top line for the Sharks. Over his last five outings, he has two goals, one assist, 17 shots, and four blocked shots.
When comparing the last 10 home games to their last 25 home games, the Anaheim Ducks are conceding 0.7 more Goals Per 60. Projected starter John Gibson is also not playing well. In his last 10 home starts, he has a -0.69 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60, a 3.08 Goals Against Average, and a 0.881 Save Percentage. It would be a shock at this point if Toffoli does not reach value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Carter Verhaeghe (DK $7.3K || FD $6.4K) at Montreal Canadiens
- Trevor Zegras (DK $5.6K || FD $5.8K) vs. San Jose Sharks (Center on FanDuel)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Jackson LaCombe - DK $5.1K || FD $6K
Opponent - vs. San Jose Sharks
Jackson LaCombe is in the best form of his young career. He is on a five-game point streak, accumulating two goals, five assists, six shots, and 11 blocked shots.
The San Jose Sharks are playing improved hockey over their last 10 away games. However, they are still a bottom-ten team in Shots Against Per 60, High-Danger Chances Against Per 60, and Goals Against Per 60. The Sharks have also conceded three or more goals in five of their last six games. LaCombe is expected to quickly reach value.
Luca Cagnoni - DK $3.7K || FD $4.2K
Opponent - at Anaheim Ducks
Luca Cagnoni is quickly becoming the next rookie mainstay for the San Jose Sharks. The two-way defenseman has produced one assist, seven shots, and eight blocked shots in his first five games. He has also become the go-to defenseman to quarterback San Jose’s top power-play unit.
As mentioned above, the Anaheim Ducks have conceded nearly a goal more Per 60 in their last 10 home games, and their goaltending is not improving. For under $4K playing on a young and promising Sharks team, Cagnoni is expected to double his value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Cam Fowler (DK $4.3K || FD $5.2K) vs. Detroit Red Wings
- Denton Mateychuk (DK $3.2K || FD $4K) vs. Nashville Predators
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- ANA1
- SJ1
- FLA1
- WAS1
- TB1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- ANA: Zegras-McTavish-Colangelo
Chalk Stack
- FLA: Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart
Sneaky Stack
- SJ: Graf-Celebrini-Toffoli
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
