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The top daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel on April 2, 2024. Brandon's NHL DFS goalies, value plays, stacks, and power play picks.
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 for Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. 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 bmwvolleyball94@gmail.com, via Twitter/X @df_solutions, or in our premium Slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 4/2/24
Hopefully, everyone had a wonderful Easter and is now ready for the big stretch run! The 2023-2024 season is now in the final stretch as teams battle for home ice heading into the Stanley Cup playoffs!!! With multiple big trades this season and teams going all-in, the race for Lord Stanley is on!
Tonight we have an eight-game slate and three teams playing on a back-to-back: the Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida Panthers, and New York Islanders. The currently live top-three highest implied team totals are: Florida with 3.7, New Jersey with 3.7, and Calgary with 3.7. I will do my best to guide you through this eight-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
John Gibson - DK $6.9K || FD $6.6K
Opponent - Calgary Flames
Are the Calgary Flames going to continue to get lucky tonight or will form finally bite them? The Flames are in the bottom 10 in Goals For in their last 10 games, excluding splits in Per 60 stats where they are just outside the top 10 in Shots For. Over their last six games, including their most recent 4-2 win over the Kings, the Flames have scored more than two goals just twice, yet they continue to pile on shots. Expected Ducks starter John Gibson is nowhere near form right now, however, if he can get dialed in quickly, he could have a big performance. Sitting under $7K on both platforms and the potential to hit the save bonus tonight is worth the punt itself. If he can stimy the Flames and hold them to two goals or less, Gibson could break the slate.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Luukkonen (DK $8K || FD $7.6K)
- DeSmith (DK $7.5K || FD $7.2K)
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
Aleksander Barkov - DK $6.8K || FD $7.9K
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
Barkov is coming off an interesting performance last night where he posted one assist and one shot, despite the Panthers scoring four goals, and he will have the perfect matchup to bounce back tonight. The Canadiens are in the bottom 10 in Scoring Changes Against Per 60 and they sit just outside the bottom 10 in High Danger Chances Against Per 60. Expected starter Sam Montembeault is in form right now, making things a bit harder for the Panthers. However, as long as Montreal’s defense continues to cough up chances, it is only a matter of time until they get handled again. In Barkov’s last five games, he has three goals, three assists, 13 shots, and one blocked shot.
Brock Nelson - DK $6K || FD $7.2K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago is coming off a rather shocking 5-1 away win at Philadelphia. Those five goals are the bulk of their goal production in their last 10 away games, where they have been outscored nine to 25. Furthermore, in Per 60 stats, the visitors are in the bottom 10 in Shots Against, Scoring Chances Against, and High Danger Changes Against. They are also just outside the bottom 10 in Goals Against. On the other side of the ice, in his last five games, Nelson has one goal, one assist, 15 shots, and seven blocked shots. After a 10-game goal slump was finally broken, Nelson is home free. Expect the center to have a big game with the monkey off his back.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Crosby (DK $8.4K || FD $8.5K)
- Eriksson Ek (DK $8K || FD $8K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Kyle Palmieri - DK $6K || FD $5.7K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Staying with the above Brock Nelson despite another lineup shuffle we have Kyle Palmieri. The winger has been Nelson’s sidekick all season and in his last five games, Palmieri has two goals, one assist, 13 shots, and three blocked shots. As mentioned, Chicago continues to play poor defense and they are the second-worst team in the league when playing away. Lock and load Palmieri for three shots and one point.
Drew O’Connor - DK $3.6K || FD $4.3K
Opponent - New Jersey Devils
After a poor performance last night and his three-game goal streak broken, tonight is the night Drew O’Connor could have a big bounce-back game. The winger in his last five games has three goals, 15 shots, and eight blocked shots. The one issue about O’Connor’s play is his lack of creativity and playmaking. This results in him relying on Sidney Crosby to set him up. If the Penguins can break Jake Allen early, who shut down the Penguins in their last meeting in one of his first games as a New Jersey Devil, O’Connor could be in for a big game. O’Connor has the chance to produce two shots and one point.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Verhaeghe (DK $6.5K || FD $8.2K)
- Peterka (DK $4.3K || FD $5.5K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Daniil Miromanov - DK $4.1K || FD $4.2K
Opponent - Anaheim Ducks
Despite Ducks starter John Gibson getting highlighted, it is impossible to pass up Daniil Miromanov. The two-way defenseman has come back to Earth after a stellar start in a Flames sweater. In his most recent five appearances, he has two assists, six shots, and three blocked shots. The Ducks concede shots against more than any other team on most nights and with that comes the opportunity for goals. Expect Miromanov to deliver two shots, two blocked shots, and one point.
Ryan Pulock - DK $3.8K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
To cap the article off, we have the final Islander, Ryan Pulock. Pulock is the typical two-way defenseman and in a matchup at home against the Chicago Blackhawks he may have a larger role on the offensive side of the puck. Throughout Pulock’s last five outings, he has one goal, two assists, eight shots, and 13 blocked shots. It is safe to expect the defenseman to produce two shots, two blocked shots, and one point.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Faber (DK $5K || FD $5.5K)
- McDonagh (DK $3.7K || FD $4.8K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- NYI1
- FLA1
- CGY1
- MIN1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- BUF: Peterka-Thompson-Tuch
Chalk Stack
- FLA: Verhaeghe-Barkov-Reinhart
Sneaky Stack
- ANA: Zegras-McTavish-Strome
