NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/14/25)

2 mins ago by Andy Smith

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Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have an action-packed six-game slate on Friday, March 14.

In this piece, I will discuss my favorite forward lines to target, defensemen, and goalies in tonight's action. Keep updated with any injury notes on our newsfeed before setting your lineup.

If you have questions about further strategy and managing the slate, please chat with me on X @A_Smith_FS. All player salaries will be listed as ($DK/FD).

Forward Lines To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Nashville Predators L1 - Steven Stamkos ($7.3K/$6.8K) - Ryan O'Reilly ($5.6K/$6.6K) - Luke Evangelista ($4.8K/$4.8K)

Opponent - Anaheim Ducks

The Nashville Predators have the best matchup on the slate as they will face the Anaheim Ducks, who have allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck.

This top unit has generated a strong 60.4 percent xGoals with a stellar 3.31 xGoals Per 60.

Left wing Steven Stamkos is riding a four-game point streak into this contest. During this span, he has found the back of the net five times and added four helpers. Ryan O'Reilly has tallied seven points (two goals) over his last seven games. Given their strong metrics, they should be in a prime position to generate a high number of scoring chances in this game.

We once again present a Steven Stamkos goal pic.twitter.com/ugt2hSOQJ6

— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) March 12, 2025

Carolina Hurricanes L1 - Jackson Blake ($4K/$4.9K) - Sebastian Aho ($7.1K/$7.2K) - Seth Jarvis ($7.1K/$7K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

The Hurricanes are continuing to perform as Stanley Cup contenders even without forward Mikko Rantanen. Since trading him last week, the Hurricanes have scored four goals in each game entering Friday. Most of their offense has come from their retooled top unit.

Led by Sebastian Aho, this line has generated an impressive 4.68 xGoals Per 60 with a stellar 68.3 percent xGoals, per MoneyPuck.

Seth Jarvis has found the back of the net in three straight contests while Aho has tallied at least one point in six of his last seven games. Facing the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed and 10th most during five-on-five play, makes this unit a top stack with elite upside.

The kid can shoot 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/H92GivsMTb

— Carolina Hurricanes (@Canes) March 11, 2025

Edmonton Oilers L1 - Ryan Nugent-Hopkins ($5K/$5.9K) - Connor McDavid ($8.8K/$8.9K) - Zach Hyman ($6.3K/$6.4K)

Opponent - New York Islanders

Targeting Connor McDavid's line is never a bad idea. This evening, they will face the New York Islanders, who have allowed the 13th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even-strength play and the seventh most while short-handed.

This unit has spent most of the season together, generating a strong 3.34 xGoals Per 60 with a solid 62.6 percent xGoals across 312 minutes of shared ice time.

McDavid is carrying an eight-game point streak into Thursday. During this span, he tallied 11 points, with six of them coming on the power play. While his wingers, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, have struggled to find consistency, they should be in a prime position to generate scoring opportunities, especially when on the man advantage.

Winnipeg Jets L1 - Kyle Connor ($7.5K/$8.6K) - Mark Scheifele ($6.5K/$7.6K) - Gabriel Vilardi ($6K/$6.8K)

Opponent - Dallas Stars

My final line to target is in the Central Division showdown between the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars. The top line of the Jets will face a Dallas defense that has allowed the 12th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during five-on-five play, according to MoneyPuck.

This top unit has spent almost the entire campaign together, logging 839 minutes of shared ice time. During this large sample, it has generated 2.73 xGoals Per 60 with 52.5 percent xGoals.

Over his last five contests, Kyle Connor has tallied seven points (two goals) while Gabriel Vilardi has tallied five points over his last four. They are a very consistent line and carry one of the highest floors on the slate.

Other Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):

COL L1
DET L2

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

Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Shayne Gostisbehere - Carolina Hurricanes ($4.6K/$5.1K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

As mentioned above, the Carolina Hurricanes will face a Detroit defense that has allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60 when short-handed. As a result, Carolina's top power-play quarterback, Shayne Gostisbehere, carries a high upside this evening.

Over his past seven games, Gostisbehere has tallied four helpers, with three of them coming on the power play. During this stretch, he has tallied 10 shots on goal with seven blocks.

Mikhail Sergachev - Utah Hockey Club ($5.6K/$6K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Mikhail Sergachev and the Utah Hockey Club will be traveling to Seattle to face the Kraken, who have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 when on the penalty kill. Sergachev sees the vast majority of power-play opportunities on the Utah blue line.

Over his previous six contests, he has averaged just under four minutes of power-play time per game. During this stretch, he has tallied seven points, with four of them coming on the man advantage.

Power play goal for Utah!

Scored by Clayton Keller with 07:44 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Mikhail Sergachev and Barrett Hayton.

Chicago: 3
Utah: 3#UTAvsCHI #Blackhawks #UtahHC pic.twitter.com/PWZBvY8GMd

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 8, 2025

Evan Bouchard - Edmonton Oilers ($6.1K/$6.6K)

Opponent - New York Islanders

My final defenseman to target is Evan Bouchard of the Edmonton Oilers. Bouchard carries elite scoring upside in any matchup serving as the quarterback on the lethal Edmonton power play.

According to MoneyPuck, its power-play unit has generated the second-most Expected Goals For Per 60 while its opponent, the New York Islanders, have allowed the seventh-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed.

Over his last seven games, Bouchard has tallied seven points (three goals) with five of his points coming on the power play.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($7.8K/$7K)
Brent Burns - Carolina Hurricanes ($4.8K/$5.1K)
Jake Walman - Edmonton Oilers ($5.2K/$6.2K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Karel Vejmelka - Utah Hockey Club ($7.9K/$7.6K)

Opponent - Seattle Kraken

Karel Vejmelka will be facing the Seattle Kraken, who have generated the third-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during five-on-five play, according to MoneyPuck. Before struggling over his last three starts, Vejmelka held a strong 4-1 record with a 1.61 GAA and a .935 save percentage.

Facing an inconsistent Seattle offense, fantasy managers should expect Vejmelka to return to form.

Mackenzie Blackwood - Colorado Avalanche ($8.1K/$7.9K)

Opponent - Calgary Flames

My other goaltender to target is at a higher cost in Mackenzie Blackwood. Blackwood has flourished since being traded to the Colorado Avalanche. Over his last five contests, the 28-year-old has gone 4-0-1 with a solid 2.17 GAA.

Facing the Calgary Flames, who have generated the fifth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60, according to MoneyPuck, should put Blackwood in a great position to continue this impressive stretch.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):