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 Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. EST. 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!
Featured Promo: Get any DFS Premium Bundle for for 10% off using code BALLER! Win more with expert advice from proven winners and exclusive DFS tools. Get instant access to RotoBaller's Lineup Optimizers, Research Stations, daily picks and VIP chat rooms across 10 sports! Go Premium, Win More!
NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 3/7/24
The 2023-2024 season is approaching the crucial stages! The NHL trade deadline is TOMORROW and trades are coming every which way!! The race for Lord Stanley is on!
Tonight, we have a 12-game slate and three teams playing on a back-to-back: Toronto, Buffalo, and Ottawa. The currently live top-three highest implied team totals are: Carolina with 3.9, Los Angeles with 3.8, and New York Islanders with 3.8. I will do my best to guide you through this 12-game slate on DraftKings and FanDuel starting at 7:00 p.m. EST.
DISCLOSURE: Make sure to monitor the NHL news feeds for the latest player status and injury news.
DraftKings and FanDuel Goalies - NHL DFS Picks
Jordan Binnington - DK $7.4K || FD $7.1K
Opponent - New Jersey Devils
There are multiple ‘obvious’ spots tonight in net with the likes of: Sergei Bobrovsky, Cam Talbot, and Juuse Saros. However, Jordan Binnington is going to be highlighted instead. The expected starter for the St. Louis Blues is projected to be busy tonight with 40 projected shots against.
Why is this a good thing? Despite the Blues projected to concede a minimum of three goals, Binnington would still register the Save Bonus on DraftKings due to the shot volume by the New Jersey Devils. In Binnington’s last five starts, he has a 3-1-1 record with a 2.01 Goals Against Average and a 0.941 Save Percentage. In his last 10 games, he is the 11th-best goalie in Goals Saved Above Expected Per 60.
Others To Consider (Cash/GPP):
- Bobrovsky (DK $8.2K || FD $8.6K)
- Talbot (DK $8.1K || FD $7.9K)
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
Connor McDavid - DK $9.8K || FD $10.4K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets just got thrashed in Pittsburgh 5-3 two nights ago to now return home to host the Edmonton Oilers, a team that thrashed the Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1 a few days ago. Since Leon Draisaitl -- see below -- rejoined Connor McDavid, McDavid has taken his game to another level.
In his most recent five outings, he has two goals, eight assists, 21 shots, and one blocked shot. The Blue Jackets in Per 60 stats, in their last 10 games excluding splits, are in the bottom eight in Shots Against, Scoring Chances Against, and High Danger Chances Against. Can expected starter Elvis Merzlikins carry the Blue Jackets to an upset win?
Bo Horvat - DK $6.9K || FD $7.5K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
The Sharks are playing much better offensively over the last month; however, their defense has only gotten worse. The Sharks in Per 60 stats, over their last ten games excluding splits, are either the second-worst or the third-worst team and are heavily relying on their goaltending to keep them in games.
After a surge in productivity from the Islanders following the hiring of Patrick Roy, they have hit a wall. However, Bo Horvat is one of the last remaining producers, despite the team’s rut. In his last five appearances, he has two goals, two assists, 18 shots, and two blocked shots. In a game where he should see plenty of opportunities, Horvat is expected at a minimum to have one point and three shots.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Malkin (DK $5.4K || FD $6.3K)
- Drury (DK $3K || FD $4K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Wings - NHL DFS Picks
Leon Draisaitl - DK $8K || FD $9.3K
Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets
As mentioned above, Draisaitl has joined linemate and center Connor McDavid on the top line. In return, Draisaitl has seen a massive surge in production with four goals, five assists, 20 shots, and one blocked shot over his most recent five games. The winger is one shot per game shy of averaging the Shots Bonus on DraftKings. The previously mentioned Blue Jackets are underperforming at best, giving Draisaitl a chance to extend his point streak. The winger is expected two points and four shots at a minimum.
Alex Turcotte - DK $2.5K || FD $3.4K
Opponent - Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are coming off a 2-1 loss in Anaheim and traveling to Crypto.com Arena on a back-to-back. In the 2-1 loss, Ottawa had just 14 shots, two Scoring Chances For, zero High Danger Chances For, and an Expected Goals For of zero. It was one of their worst performances of the season against a severely undermanned Ducks squad who had to put several new faces into the lineup due to trades and injuries.
Now, the Kings get to take a shot -- or several -- at the drastically underperforming Senators. The Kings are in the top 10 in Shots For Per 60, but the bottom eight in Goals For Per 60. This is the ideal matchup for rookie Alex Turcotte to make a big splash. In his last five games, he has two shots and four blocked shots. At minimum salary on DraftKings playing on the top line and the second power play unit, Turcotte is the top value play of the slate.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Nelson (DK $6.7K || FD $7.9K)
- Kuzmenko (DK $3.5K || FD $4.1K)
DraftKings and FanDuel Defensemen - NHL DFS Picks
Ryan Pulock - DK $4.6K || FD $4.8K
Opponent - San Jose Sharks
In comparison to other linemates on the blue line in the 4-2 win against St. Louis, Ryan Pulock underperformed despite the matchup and the fact that he registered two shots and three blocked shots. Nevertheless, Pulock is in great form, landing double-digit fantasy points in three of his last five appearances.
In that window, he has one goal, two assists, 10 shots, and 18 blocked shots. As mentioned, the Sharks are playing much better offensively and in this matchup, Pulock will have a fair share of blocked shot chances as well as shots. It is expected that the defenseman registered at least two shots and two blocked shots.
Cam York - DK $3.9K || FD $4.7K
Opponent - Florida Panthers
Cam York may be the value play at defense tonight. The two-way defenseman has registered three goals, one assist, 10 shots, and 18 blocked shots in his last five outings, as well as scoring double-digit fantasy points in four of those five games on DraftKings.
The Panthers are the Panthers and have just become even more dangerous after the acquisition of Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators. Between shots and shots blocked and the occasional power play chance, York will have every opportunity to maintain value.
Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):
- Pietrangelo (DK $5.6K || FD $6.3K)
- Skjei (DK $4.4K || FD $5.6K)
NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks
- EDM1
- PIT1
- LA1
- NYI1
- CGY1
- CAR1
NHL DFS Stacks of the Day
Brandon's Stack
- L.A.: Turcotte-Kopitar-Byfield
Chalk Stack
- NYI: Nelson-Horvat-Barzal
Sneaky Stack
- CGY: Kuzmenko-Kadri-Huberdeau
NHL DFS News and Injury Alerts
More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis