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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on April 3, 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 Thursday, April 3, 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 4/3/25
Tonight, we have a nine-game slate and one team playing on a back-to-back, Colorado. Tonight’s slate offers value across the board, allowing for creativity when building lineups.
The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are: Edmonton with 4.2, Colorado with 3.7, and Dallas with 3.6. I will do my best to guide you through this nine-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
Andrei Vasilevskiy- DK $7.6K || FD $7.7K
Opponent - at Ottawa Senators
Goalies are far from ‘easy’ to predict these days, and tonight is no different. However, Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning offers some clarity. The netminder has a 4-1 record, with a 1.38 Goals Against Average and a 0.943 Save Percentage in his last five starts. His underlying numbers are not ideal, though. In his last 10 away games, he has a -0.23 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60, 2.96 Goals Against Average, and a 0.894 Save Percentage.
Luckily, the Senators are not performing well either, scoring less, and are expected to score less over their last 10 home games. If Vasilevskiy can lock in early, he will reach value.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Jordan Binnington (DK $8K || FD $8K) vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
- Adin Hill (DK $7.8K || FD $7.5K) vs. Winnipeg Jets
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DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Leon Draisaitl - DK $9K || FD $8.9K
Opponent - at San Jose Sharks
Only a few teams will garner massive amounts of ownership tonight. One of those teams is the Edmonton Oilers. The visitors are being led by Leon Draisaitl with teammate and fellow center Connor McDavid still out. In Draisaitl’s two games since returning from injury, he has three goals, one assist, 10 shots, and two blocked shots.
The San Jose Sharks are playing better defense but remain a bottom-10 club. They have conceded 0.24 more Goals Per 60 in their last 10 home games, too. Draisaitl may not have the optimal matchup tonight, but he is still projected to reach double-digit fantasy points.
Nazem Kadri - DK $7.3K || FD $7.6K
Opponent - vs. Anaheim Ducks
The next team to see high amounts of ownership is the Calgary Flames, led by center Nazem Kadri. Kadri has produced four goals, two assists, and 22 shots over his last five games. His salary is not ideal, considering how often he is inconsistent. However, Kadri has one of the night's best line matchups.
The Ducks boast the league's worst defense in the last 10 games without splits. They rely heavily on their goaltending to keep them in games night in and night out. Will that continue tonight, or will Kadri and the Flames cook up the Ducks?
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Brayden Point (DK $6.8K || FD $7.9K) at Ottawa Senators
- Christian Dvorak (DK $3.9K || FD $4.6K) vs. Boston Bruins
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Viktor Arvidsson - DK $5.4K || FD $5.1K
Opponent - at San Jose Sharks
Heading back to SAP Center, there is winger Viktor Arvidsson. The veteran is in some of his best form in the past few years. He has produced two goals, 14 shots, and one blocked shot throughout his last five appearances. Without McDavid, Arvidsson has taken on a role in the top power-play unit for the Oilers.
Once again, San Jose has improved, but they are still not out of the basement defensively. Arvidsson is expected to produce double-digit fantasy points in what is expected to be an Edmonton-heavy game.
Joel Farabee - DK $4.2K || FD $4.3K
Opponent - vs. Anaheim Ducks
Joel Farabee is getting another look on Calgary's top line, and the opportunity couldn't have come at a better time. As previously mentioned, the Anaheim Ducks have been one of the worst defensive teams over the last 10 games, excluding splits. Without their goaltending, Anaheim would be pushing AHL-level results in an NHL world.
In his last five games, Farabee has 14 shots and four blocked shots. This bodes well for the young winger, considering that it was all done on the third line in a more shutdown, conservative role.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Jake Guentzel (DK $7.5K || FD $7.8K) at Ottawa Senators
- Rutger McGroarty (DK $3.7K || FD $3.9K) at St. Louis Blues
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Jake Walman - DK $5.3K || FD $5.9K
Opponent - at San Jose Sharks
Jake Walman is one of the most brilliant acquisitions made by a team in the last few years. Edmonton knew they were struggling with blue line production, excluding Evan Bouchard, and they needed better puck handling and movement, too. Enter Jake Walman. The two-way defenseman is racking up peripherals in bunches. He has one goal, two assists, 16 shots, and nine blocked shots over his last five outings. Walman’s ability to know when to pinch or sit back is one of many reasons that makes him a good hockey player.
In a matchup at SAP Center, Walman is expected to jump into the attack plenty. He has now produced double-digit fantasy points in three of his last five outings. Will he do it again tonight?
Cam Fowler - DK $4.1K || FD $5.4K
Opponent - vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
Finally, a player not from the Edmonton Oilers or the Calgary Flames. Veteran Cam Fowler is in scorching form right now, amassing two goals, three assists, nine shots, and six blocked shots throughout his last five games. He is also on a four-game double-digit fantasy point streak. As the quarterback on the top power-play unit for the Blues, Fowler will see many extended looks tonight against Pittsburgh’s poor defense.
The visitors have conceded 0.38 more goals per 60 in their last 10 away games. Furthermore, they are bottom-10 in both Scoring Chances Against Per 60 and High-Danger Chances Against Per 60 and fourth-worst in Goals Against Per 60. The expected starter, Tristan Jarry, is in some of his best form of the season, though. Can Fowler and the Blues break through?
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Lane Hutson (DK $4.9K || FD $5.8K) vs. Boston Bruins
- Luca Cagnoni (DK $3.5K || FD N/A) vs. Edmonton Oilers – NOT ON FANDUEL –
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- EDM1
- CGY1
- COL1
- TB1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- CGY: Farabee-Kadri-Pospisil
Chalk Stack
- EDM: Podkolzin-Draisaitl-Arvidsson
Sneaky Stack
- MTL: Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis
