Welcome, RotoBallers! If you do not know me, my name is Brandon, and I am writing both The First-Serve and The Kick-Off for tennis and soccer. 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, October 8, 2024, at 4:30 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 [email protected], via Twitter/X @df_solutions or in our premium Slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!
NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 10/8/24
We have finally made it! The 2024-2024 NHL Season has BEGUN!! Can Florida and Edmonton repeat in the Stanley Cup Finals? Will Utah rise to the occasion, playing in front of a new crowd and in a new barn?
Tomorrow, we have a three-game slate and no teams playing back-to-back. I will do my best to guide you through this three-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 4:30 p.m. EDT.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.
Key Acquisitions for Teams In Offseason:
St. Louis Blues: Dylan Holloway & Philip Broberg
Seattle Kraken: Chandler Stephenson & Brandon Montour
Boston Bruins: Elias Lindholm
Chicago Blackhawks: Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Ilya Mikheyev & Alec Martinez
Utah Hockey Club: Mikhail Sergachev
DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks
Goalies
Jordan Binnington - DK $7.6K || FD $7.9K
Opponent - Seattle Kraken
Many eyes will be on Connor Ingram due to the Utah Hockey Club’s debut in Delta Center. However, Jordan Binnington will make his season debut in the article instead. The veteran netminder posted a 28-21-5 record last year in 57 appearances. He produced three shutouts and a 2.84 Goals Against Average. He also resided in the top 20 in Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60 with a 0.3.
Seattle struggled last year in the goal-scoring department, missing their inaugural season—the worst offensive season—by one goal. The Blues were also the fourth-worst in Shots Against Per 60 and the third-worst in High-Danger Chances Against Per 60. Binnington could make a case for ‘Goalie of the Night’ if he can stay strong in Seattle’s home opener.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Ingram (DK $8.2K || FD $7.6K)
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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
Barrett Hayton - DK $3.2K || FD $4K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
Unsurprisingly, Barrett Hayton is expected to see north of 20 percent ownership. Hayton and the rest of the Utah Hockey Club are debuting at home, in a new arena, and in front of new fans. This is expected to significantly boost energy for the home team. Include their matchup against the Chicago Blackhawks; it is a recipe for success.
Last year, Hayton had an underwhelming season, marred by injury. In 33 games, he had three goals, seven assists, 66 shots, and 15 blocked shots.
Utah’s season debut could not be any better timed. In Per 60 stats, over the season, Chicago was the second-worst in Goals Against, Scoring Chances Against, and High Danger Chances Against. They were also the third-worst in Shots Against. At an almost minimal salary on DraftKings, Hayton has the potential to be the top ‘value’ play of the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Lindholm (DK $5.5K || FD $6.4K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Dylan Guenther - DK $6K || FD $5.5K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
In what is expected to be Dylan Guenther’s first full season, barring any injuries, he gets a prime matchup against the Blackhawks to open his account. As mentioned above, the Blackhawks are a bottom-three team, especially defensively.
In Guenther’s 45 games last year, he had 18 goals, 17 assists, 121 shots, and 24 blocked shots. The winger continued to develop chemistry with teammate Logan Cooley (DK $4.9K||FD $6.4K) during the preseason, and the two are expected to start the season on a line together.
In a matchup that Utah is expected to win comfortably, don’t be surprised if the young winger produces double-digit fantasy points to start the season.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Schwartz (DK $4K || FD $4.4K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Mikhail Sergachev - DK $4.3K || FD $6.4K
Opponent - Chicago Blackhawks
To cap off ‘The Puck Drop,’ Mikhail Sergachev makes his season debut. The two-way defenseman journeys to his third team in his ninth season after being drafted by Montreal and playing 98 percent of his career with Tampa Bay. He brings much experience to Utah and much-needed production from the blue line.
Another player hampered by injury last year, Sergachev only played 34 games. In those games, he produced two goals, 17 assists, 53 shots and 70 blocked shots. Sergachev is expected to start the season on the top pairing and the top power-play. For under $4.5K on DraftKings, he is a viable option for ‘Lock of the Night.’
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Faulk (DK $4.6K || FD $5.8K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- UTA1
- FLA1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- FLA: Rodrigues-Bennett-Tkachuk
Chalk Stack
- UTA: Schmaltz-Hayton-Keller
Sneaky Stack
- SEA: Tolvanen-Wright-Bjorkstrand
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis