DraftKings, FanDuel Daily Fantasy Hockey Picks (10/21/23): Today's Top NHL DFS Lineups

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 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 on Saturday, October, 21, 2023, at 7:00 PM EDT. 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], via Twitter @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!

NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 10/21/23

We have finally made it! The 2023-2024 season is upon us and we welcome the next generational talent, Connor Bedard to the front and center! With many big moves over the offseason – Karlsson to Pittsburgh – and many signings during Free Agency, this season will make for yet another interesting race to Lord Stanley!

Tonight we have a 13-game slate and two teams playing on a back-to-back: Islanders & Columbus. The currently live top-3 highest implied team totals are: Minnesota with 4, Vegas with 4 and Toronto with 3.8. I will do my best to guide you through this thirteen-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.

DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks

Igor Shesterkin - DK $7.7K || FD $8.4K

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Did someone say Deja Vu? Yes, Shesterkin is back after an abysmal performance against Nashville, conceding four goals on 18 Shots Against Per 60. The netminder arguably gets an even better matchup in Seattle tonight. The Kraken are in the top 10 in Shots For Per 60, the bottom half in High-Danger Chances For Per 60 and they are the second-worst in Goals For Per 60. This offers Shesterkin the perfect chance to not only regain self-confidence but also make value quickly.                                                                   

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): 

• Saros (DK $8.1K || FD $7K)
• Brossoit (DK $7K || FD $6.9K)

Want more NHL DFS tools and content? Our NHL Premium package includes our daily DFS Cheat Sheets, Research Station, Lineup Optimizer and access to our VIP Discord Chatrooms. Doug Shain (@BanksterDFS) joins the NHL team in 2023 with his proven track record - join in on the winning!

Back to back @DraftKings Fantasy Hockey World Championship trips! Let’s get the main prize this year! Thank you to @banksterdfs for the amazing daily fantasy content! @NHL pic.twitter.com/dONSvJMtIR

— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023

DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks

John Tavares - DK $7.2K || FD $7.8K

Opponent - Tampa Bay Lightning

Tavares and the rest of the top power-play for the Maple Leafs have been on a tear to start the season. In his first four games, he has 1 goal, 6 assists, 16 shots and 3 blocked shots and he gets to play against one of the worst defensive teams to open up the 23-24 season. The Lightning is the sixth-worst in Shots Against Per 60 and the third-worst in Goals Against Per 60. Seems like a pretty straightforward recipe for success considering the form Tavares is in.   

Ryan Johansen - DK $3.7K || FD $4.2K

Opponent - Carolina Hurricanes

A sight for sore eyes, Johansen makes it back-to-back articles with another premium matchup. In the 4-0 win against Chicago on Thursday, the veteran center went up against the defenseless second line and finally cashed in for his first tally as an Avalanche along with two shots. Now he gets an almost identical matchup against Carolina’s second line notoriously centered by Jesperi Kotkaniemi.

Kotkaniemi alone possesses a 14.09 Relative Scoring Chances Against Per 60 and 11.45 Relative High-Danger Chances Against Per 60. Meanwhile, Johansen at an individual deep dive has a 15.80 Relative Scoring Chances For Per 60 and 11.97 Relative High-Danger Chances For Per 60. Caroline is also coming off a significant 7-4 beating by the Seattle Kraken. With plenty of names to pay up for, Johansen offers the salary relief needed with high-upside.                                                              

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Crosby (DK $8.1K || FD $8.2K)
• Rossi (DK $2.9K || FD $3.6K)

DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks

Artturi Lehkoen - DK $5.6K || FD $6.3K

Opponent - Carolina Hurricanes

Many may question why Lehkonen is being mentioned over teammate Valeri Nichushkin who plays alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Well, that is because Colorado’s second line – as mentioned above – has a great matchup and Lehkonen will have time with MacKinnon on the power-play.

Over Lehkonen’s first four games of the season, the winger has 1 goal, 1 assist, 20 shots and 2 blocked shots. He is averaging the shots bonus per game on DraftKings, providing unspeakable value at this salary range. In one of the best matchups of the night, Lehkonen should be at the top of the player pool for many.     

Tanner Pearson - DK $3K || FD $3.9K

Opponent - Washington Capitals

Another big ‘salary-saver’ with high upside is Tanner Pearson. The winger seems to be rejuvenated playing on a younger and faster Canadiens team and it is clear that bench boss, Martin St. Louis likes what Pearson has to offer. Throughout his first three games in Montreal, he has 2 goals, 4 shots and 3 blocked shots. His peripherals are not there yet, however, being promoted to the new second line could pay early dividends. Keep in mind that Washington is the third-worst in Shots Against Per 60 and the sixth-worst in Goals Against Per 60.                              

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Kaprizov (DK $8K || FD $8.7K)
• Philips (DK $2.8K || FD $K)

DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks

Oliver Ekman-Larsson - DK $4.2K || FD $4.8K

Opponent - Vancouver Canucks

It would be a disservice at this point to not mention OEL. Making another trip back to the article, the improved defenseman has found form in Florida. In four games to start the season, he has 1 goal, 1 assist, 11 shots and 10 blocked shots. His peripherals alone will cover the value of his salary for tonight and add in that he and the rest of the Panthers are playing a leaky Canucks defense and the story writes itself.

Vancouver is the seventh-worst in Shots Against Per 60, the third-worst in Scoring Chances Against Per 60 and the worst in High-Danger Chances Against Per 60. It is only a matter of time until the levee breaks.    

Alec Martinez - DK $3.7K || FD $5.3K

Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks

Despite the ongoing success the Golden Knights have found coming off their first Stanley Cup, Martinez was a welcome sight in the locker room and on the ice. The veteran defenseman instantly made an impact with 1 goal, 2 shots and 1 blocked shot in the 5-3 win over Winnipeg on Thursday. Furthermore, as long as teammate Alex Pietrangelo is out, Martinez will remain on the second power-play unit. For under $4K salary on DraftKings, Martinez could be one of the top values at defense on the slate.                            

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): 

• Pesce (DK $3.6K || FD $4.2K)
• Xhekaj (DK $2.9K || FD $3.7K)

NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks

• VGK1
• COL1
• NSH1
• MIN1
• TOR1
• TB1
• FLA1

NHL DFS Stacks of the Day

Brandon's Stack

• MTL: Anderson-Monahan-Gallagher

Chalk Stack

• MIN: Kaprizov-Hartman-Zuccarello

Sneaky Stack

• STL: Vrana-Hayes-Blais

NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis