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 be bringing you my NHL lineup picks, analysis, and advice for NHL DFS contests on DraftKings and FanDuel for Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Be sure to also 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 Twitter/X @df_solutions or in our premium Slack chat. Best of luck!
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NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 10/22/24
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 a new barn?
Tonight, we have a thirteen-game slate and one team playing on a back-to-back, Toronto. The currently live top three highest implied team totals are Toronto with 4, New York Rangers with 3.7, and Anaheim with 3.7. I will do my best to guide you through this nine-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
Goalies
Jeremy Swayman - DK $7.5K || FD $7.4K
Opponent - Nashville Predators
Jeremy Swayman is considered underpriced on tonight’s slate after his performances thus far. He has a 2-1-1 record in four starts with a 2.71 Goals Against Average, a 0.905 Save Percentage, and a -0.11 Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60. The Nashville Predators are the worst in Goals for Per 90 and sit just outside the top ten in Shots for Per 90. They are the fourth-best value team in Shots Per Goal Per 60 on the slate.
Considering Boston has conceded more Shots Against Per 60 than normal and Nashville’s lack of scoring efficiency, Swayman could make a case for the best value goalie on the slate.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Shesterkin (DK $8.4K || FD $8.9K)
- Hellebuyck (DK $7.6K || FD $8.6K)
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!
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— 🇺🇦Shockmain (@Shockmain) January 6, 2023
DraftKings and FanDuel Centers - NHL DFS Picks
Mika Zibanejad - DK $6K || FD $7.3K
Opponent - Montreal Canadiens
While the slate zigs, the article will zag with Mika Zibanejad. It is no secret that the Rangers ‘top line,’ Artemi Panarin (DK $9.1K || FD $8.9K), Vincent Trocheck (DK $6.7K || FD $8.4K), and Alexis Lafreniere (DK $5.1K || FD $6.6K), are producing at elite levels to start the season. Zibanejad's ‘second line’ has faltered and been inconsistent.
However, tonight, the second line has a prime matchup in Montreal against their second line. In Zibanejad’s last five games, he has one goal, four assists, eight shots, and three blocked shots. In Per 60 stats, the Montreal Canadiens are the worst in Scoring Chances Against and Shots Against. They are also the third-worst in High Danger Chances Against.
For $6K on DraftKings, Mika Zibanejad will have every opportunity to meet and exceed value.
Max Domi - DK $3.6K || FD $5K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Like the aforementioned Mika Zibanejad, Max Domi may also go overlooked due to the elite production from Toronto’s top line. The center/winger hybrid has usurped teammate John Tavares (DK $6.2K || FD $7.5K) and has produced five assists, three shots, and two blocked shots in his last five games.
Toronto’s second line also has a prime matchup in Columbus tonight, and the Blue Jackets, over the season, are in the bottom ten in Goals Against Per 60.
With several spots to pay up at, Max Domi offers the needed value in an optimal spot.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Crosby (DK $7.6K || FD $8.1K)
- Carlsson (DK $5.4K || FD $5.7K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Ross Colton - DK $5.5K || FD $6.5K
Opponent - Seattle Kraken
Ross Colton is playing far above any expectations set at the beginning of the season, and he and his teammates alike are astonished. However, they are all relishing in his production. The winger has six goals, one assist, 20 shots, and five blocked shots throughout his most recent five games.
The Seattle Kraken are playing above-average defense to start the season, and Colorado’s offense is clicking on all cylinders, with multiple players out. Whether Colton is used in a Colorado stack or as a one-off, he is expected to meet value.
Matthew Knies - DK $4K || FD $4K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Matthew Knies is an optimal one-off play if not stacking the full top line of the Toronto Maple Leafs. The winger is the most affordable of the three players by a landslide, and he has produced enough to warrant the salary. Over his five outings in the NHL this season, he has one goal, one assist, 13 shots, and one blocked shot.
As mentioned, Columbus is underperforming, and it is only a matter of time before Knies has a blowup game that pushes his salary north.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Tsyplakov (DK $3.5K || FD $4.6K)
- Reilly Smith (DK $3.5K || FD $4.4K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Oliver Ekman-Larsson - DK $4.2K || FD $4.6K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
Oliver Ekman-Larsson had a productive season with the Florida Panthers last year and finally claimed his first Stanley Cup. He now finds himself in Toronto and quarterbacking their top power-play unit. The offensive defenseman has four assists, 17 shots, and six blocked shots in five games.
Once again, Columbus is not a defensively sound team, and they will provide OEL with numerous opportunities to reach and exceed value.
Olen Zellweger - DK $3.3K || FD $4.1K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
Olen Zellweger is more of a punt play than anything in a potentially optimal matchup. The offensive defenseman has one assist, eight shots, and one blocked shot throughout his four starts. The San Jose Sharks are in the bottom ten in all meaningful metrics against Per 60.
Considering Zellweger’s role as a quarterback on the top power play for Anaheim and his matchup and salary, the defenseman is expected to reach double-digit fantasy output.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Slavin (DK $3.9K || FD $5.3K)
- Reilly (DK $3.1K || FD $4.3K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- TOR1
- NYR1
- NYI1
- PIT1
- ANA1
- DAL1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- TOR: McCann-Domi-Nylander
Chalk Stack
- NYR: Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere
Sneaky Stack
- NYI: Lee-Pageau-Cizikas
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis