Today's NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/17/22): Daily Fantasy Hockey

Brandon Wampler's top DraftKings and FanDuel NHL DFS value plays and research for April 17th, 2022 including DFS analysis for goalies, power plays and stacks.

Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon and I write both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for Tennis and Soccer respectively. If you have not checked those out, make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL season which means it's time to sharpen our MLB 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 Sunday, 17th, 2022 at 5:00 PM EST. Be sure to also check out our 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] or via Twitter @df_solutions or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!

NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 4/17/22

Yesterday we were provided a goal fest in pretty much every game. Even the “playoff” style matchups presented goals from left, right and center. Tonight, we will drop down to a much more manageable slate for Easter Sunday. There are not many solid matchups, but there are a few “playoff” style games to watch. I will do my best in guiding you through this five-game slate on DraftKings starting at 5:00 p.m. EST. 

The majority of the teams on the slate are playing on the second-half of a back-to-back: Buffalo, Philadelphia, St Louis, Nashville, San Jose, Minnesota, Toronto and Columbus. The Blue Jackets and their league fourth-worst 3.64 GA will travel to Anaheim while the Matthews and the Maple Leafs and their league third-best 3.82 GF will hope to take down the Islanders in Canada.

DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the news feed and play at your own risk

Vegas Odds for the Day

NHL DFS Goalies

Ville Husso- DK $7.8K || FD $7.9K

Opponent - Nashville Predators

There are not any outstanding matchups on tonight’s Easter slate, however, Husso does stand out in the netminder pool here. The Blues’ goalie has gone through quite the ringer in his last three games, playing Minnesota twice at home and away at Boston in between the Wild meetings. Husso produced a save percentage of 0.921 or higher in two of the encounters against top-tier offenses. Now he gets to play against the Predators in Music City who don’t have the same quality scoring depth. Not all goalies are able to shut down Forsberg, however, if Husso can, the majority of his night will come much easier.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Fleury (DK $8.4K || FD $8.2K), Gibson (DK $8K || FD $7K, Berube (DK $7.4K || FD $7.6K), Sorokin (DK $7.3K || FD $7.2K)

NHL DFS Centers

Trevor Zegras-DK $5K || FD $5.6K

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets’ projected starter is J-F Berube with Joonas Korpisalo out and it isn’t the greatest matchup for Zegras. However, Columbus still sports a terrible defense and Zegras is starting to catch form once again with 3 goals, 2 assists and 8 shots over his last five games. For the high-ceiling and the lesser salary, this is a great option on a relatively smaller slate.

Kevin Hayes- DK $4.7K || FD $4.9K

Opponent - Buffalo Sabres

Hayes is still leading the charge after every time he makes his way into an article of mine. The ever-rotating pivot for the Flyers continues to find himself on a different line with different linemates each game, but yet he still produces. In his last five appearances, he has 3 assists and 14 shots. Surprisingly, he does not have a goal, albeit getting plenty of opportunities. Luckily though, he does have a great matchup against expected starter Dustin Tokarski in the second-half of the home-and-home stand with the Sabres.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Thompson (DK $6.5K || FD $7.3K), Thomas (DK $5.8K || FD $6.1K), Barzal (DK $4.8K || FD $6K), Gaudreau (DK $2.9K || FD $5.1K)

NHL DFS Wings

Vladamir Tarasenko- DK $7.1K || FD $8.3K

Opponent - Nashville Predators

HE IS BACK!! Tarasenko is in blazing form and we will be entertained on Easter Sunday with a possible playoff sneak peek between the Blues and the Predators. The Blues’ winger has 7 goals, 5 assists and 18 shots in his last five games. He is by far one of the hottest players in the league right now if not the hottest. This meeting could become a blowout with goals left and right or it could be tightly contested. Either way, Tarasenko will look to hit the shot bonus early on here.

Victor Olofsson- DK $3.3K || FD $4.9K

Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers

There are not many options for value on the small to medium slate for Easter. However, we do have the Sabres and they just made a plethora of line changes prior to yesterday’s game against the Flyers. Now Olofsson gets another run on the top-line after teammate Alex Tuch dropped the opportunity. In his one game since his promotion, he has 1 assist and 2 shots.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Laine (DK $7.2K || FD $7.7K), Nylander (DK $6K || FD $7.5), Zuccarello (DK $5.2K || FD $7K), Terry (DK $4.7K || FD $6.3K), Lee (DK $3.9K || FD $4.9K), van Riemsdyk (DK $3.2K || FD $5.1K)

NHL DFS Defensemen

Noah Dobson- DK $5.9K || FD $6.1K

Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs

Dobson may have the highest ceiling on the slate for a defender. The Islander has not only proven himself to be an offensive weapon for New York, but he has also proven to be a sufficient shot-blocker too. In what will be a faster-paced game, Dobson should see plenty of shots taken and shots blocked. Furthermore, he has a great chance for at least a point after the poor defending Toronto has been showcasing as of late. Through Dobson’s last five games, he has 1 goal, 1 assist, 12 shots and 12 blocked shots.

Rasmus Dahlin- DK $5.2K || FD $5.8K

Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers

No better time than now, am I right? Dahlin is rearing form again with double-digit fantasy point outings in three of his last five games. In that period, he has 2 goals, 3 assists, 9 shots and 5 blocked shots. Going against the Flyers for the second time in as many days, he will have another great chance to produce.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Josi (DK $8.4K || FD $7.7K), Provorov (DK $5.5K || FD $4.8K), Spurgeon (DK $4.8K || FD $5.4K), Shattenkirk (DK $4.3K || FD $5.2K), Power (DK $2.8K || FD $4.3K)

NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks

• PHI1
• MIN1
• ANH1

Brandon's Stack of the Day

PHI: van Riemsdyk-Hayes-Tippett

Chalk Stack

BUF: Skinner-Thompson-Olofsson

Sneaky Stack

ANH: Henrique-Getzlaf-Terry