Today's NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/5/22): Daily Fantasy Hockey

Brandon Wampler's top DraftKings and FanDuel NHL DFS value plays and research for April 5th, 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 Tuesday, 5th, 2022 at 7:00 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 4/5/22

Last night proved that anything can happen at this point of the season. We are in the stages where teams are playing for seeding in the playoffs or trying to either make it past the playoff bubble or into the playoff bubble. This tends to make predictions much harder and lineups are more erratic too. However, it is a massive slate and there is a plethora of value to make any lineup you want. I will do my best in guiding you through this ten-game slate on DraftKings starting at 7:00 p.m. EST. 

There are only three teams playing on the second-half of a back-to-back: Boston, Columbus and Toronto. The Red Wings and their league-worst 3.8 GA will host the high-flying Bruins, while the Panthers and their league-best 4.06 GF will look to shutdown the surging Maple Leafs.

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

Vegas Odds for the Day

NHL DFS Goalies

Marc-Andre Fleury - DK $7.4K || FD $7.8K

Opponent - Nashville Predators

If not for the poor play of the New York Rangers recently and their goaltenders giving up questionable goals, I would have without doubt highlighted Igor Shesterkin (DK $8.1K || FD $8.6K). However, since there are a few unknown variables for tonight’s matchup, I am showcasing Fleury instead. Fleury or “Flower” has been unreal since his arrival in Minnesota. He has played in three games and he has not recorded a save percentage below 0.920. Now he gets to see the battle of the west with the Wild traveling to Music City. If he can manage to keep opposing forward Filip Forsberg at bay during Forsberg Tuesday, he has a good chance of collecting his first clean sheet in a Wild sweater.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Andersen (DK $8.5K || FD $8.4K), Smith (DK $8.3K || FD $8K, Oettinger (DK $8K || FD $7.6K, Jarry (DK $7.7K || FD $7.7K, Forsberg (DK $7.6K || FD $6.7K

NHL DFS Centers

Kevin Hayes - DK $4K || FD $4.9K

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

Hayes has been in rare form lately and he is carrying the bulk of the offense for the Flyers on his back. Over his last five games, he has 1 goal, 3 assists and 14 shots. That is against: Avalanche, Predators, Wild, Maple Leafs and Rangers. Those opponents are no walk in the park and Hayes is showing the exact reason why the Flyers went after him a few seasons ago. At a palatable salary, he can hit value pretty quickly against a poor defense and also save salary to spend up elsewhere.

Connor McDavid - DK $9.4K || FD $10.1K

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

There are many options at the center position tonight and it all comes down to where you want to allocate your salary. However, it is very hard to pass up the crazy form that leading point-getter McDavid is in. The top pivot for the Oilers has 5 goals, 5 assists and 33 shots over his last five appearances. Add on the fact that the Sharks’ defense is nothing to write home about and this is a prime matchup in the making. Now that McDavid is consistent linemates again, he is seeing a spark on his line and you need to play it while it is hot.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Barkov (DK $8.2K || FD $9.7K), Bergeron (DK $7.4K || FD $7.4K), Norris (DK $6.3K || FD $6.7K), Malkin (DK $6.2K || FD $7.6K), Copp (DK $5.4K || FD $5.1K), Trocheck (DK $4.5K || FD $5.4K), Roslovic (DK $3.1K || FD $3.8K)

NHL DFS Wings

Owen Tippett - DK $2.5K || FD $3.3K

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

Is it honestly possible to fade the Flyers tonight? They have such a good matchup and the value is everywhere, which is why we are now highlighting ex-OHLer Owen Tippett. The winger was a constant spectacle to watch in juniors, but he never quite got the opportunity at the pro level until now. The young winger has been a part of the bottom-six for the majority of his short stint in Philadelphia. However, he now will get to see top-line minutes and in his first game doing so, he managed 1 goal and 3 shots. All he needs is a few shots and a lucky puck bounce and he will exceed value.

Brad Marchand - DK $7.5K || FD $9.2K

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

The B’s are flying high right now and this matchup with the Red Wings will be a matter of guessing the correct line. Essentially all four lines of the Bruins are in a good matchup, but the top-line has the most consistency and skill involved. Furthermore, they should see a handful of the Red Wings’ top-line as well who will be missing winger Tyler Bertuzzi. After just squeaking away with a win in Columbus last night, the Bruins will be hungry for a more dominant win and it will be led by Marchand and company. In his last five appearances, he has 4 goals, 5 assists and 14 shots.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Marner (DK $7.1K || FD $9.6K), Huberdeau (DK $6.8K || FD $8.8K), Tkachuk (DK $6.4K || FD $6.9K), Laine (DK $6K || FD $7.7K), Zuccarello (DK $5.2K || FD $7K), Caufield (DK $4.3K || FD $5.7K), Puljujarvi (DK $4.2K || FD $5.2K)

NHL DFS Defensemen

Jacob Trouba - DK $5.6K || FD $5.3K

Opponent - New Jersey Devils

If there is one thing that should be pointed out from recent play, it should be the difference in production between Trouba and teammate Adam Fox. Fox’s salary is another $700 more than Trouba’s but yet, Trouba is producing more fantasy points per game. In his last five appearances, he has 2 assists, 18 shots and 8 blocked shots. It is worrisome that he has little to no points over a large stretch of games, but his peripherals are making up for it by themselves. If he can continue to add his peripherals against the Devils, he has a legitimate chance to reach his ceiling.

Michael Del Zotto - DK $4K || FD $3.7K

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

Del Zotto has been a savior since his return to the lineup at the end of March. The veteran defenseman is providing both points and peripherals, something that has been needed from the blueline. Over his last five games, he has 3 assists, 9 shots and 10 blocked shots. The meeting with the Senators will be faster-paced, leading to Del Zotto hitting value with ease.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Werenski (DK $7.3K || FD $6.4K), DeAngelo (DK $6.2K || FD $6.2K), McAvoy (DK $5.5K || FD $6.4K), Spurgeon (DK $3.8K || FD $5.1K), Ristolainen (DK $3.6K || FD $4.3K), York (DK $3K || FD $3.7K)

NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks

• EDM1
• PHI1
• CBJ1
• NYR1
• CAR1

Brandon's Stack of the Day

• NYR: Panarin-Copp-Vatrano

Chalk Stack

• EDM: Hyman-McDavid-Draisaitl

Sneaky Stack

• PHI: York-Hayes-Tippett