NHL DFS Lineup Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (10/18): Value Plays, Goalies, Stacks

Brandon Wampler's top DraftKings and FanDuel NHL DFS value plays and research for October 18th, including DFS analysis for goalies, power plays, stacks.

Welcome back to hockey season, RotoBallers! For those first-time readers, 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 then make sure you do! It is the return of the NHL which means it's time to sharpen our MLB 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 Monday, October 18th, 2020 at 7:00 PM. 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] or via Twitter @df_solutions or in our premium slack chat. Good luck, RotoBallers!

NHL DFS Analysis and Picks for 10/18

We will kick-start this week with a small 4-game slate, and I'll be highlighting two favorites: Toronto and St. Louis. 

There is some news worth mentioning with Ryan Strome being on the COVID-19 list and Vince Dunn being out with an injury. Austin Matthews will also be making his long-awaited season debut. Always make sure to follow my Twitter account and the chatter in our SLACK for any up-to-the-minute changes. Stay tuned!!

Vegas Odds for the Day

NHL DFS Goalies

Jordan Binnington- DK $7.8K || FD $7.5K

Opponent - Arizona Coyotes

From the ECHL to a Stanley Cup-winning goaltender, Binnington has done it all. The netminder will be coming into this matchup with a chip on his shoulder after an excellent performance against Colorado where he put up a .906 save percentage. He will now have a chance to collect his first shutout here against the lowly Coyotes.

Others To Consider (Cash/GPP): Hart(DK $8K || FD $8.1K), Stolarz(DK $7.3K || FD $6.8K)

NHL DFS Centers

John Tavares-DK $8.0K || FD $7.5K

Opponent - New York Rangers

The Leaf’s captain will be getting a break finally with the return of teammate Austin Matthews. After taking the brunt of the checking lines the past few matches, Tavares will now see more offensive freedom. He will also be reunited with teammate Michael Bunting. Through three appearances, he has one assist and 12 shots. The shooting may not be there as much with Bunting and Nylander on either side, however, the offense will surely pick up.

Derrick Brassard- DK $4.5K || FD $3.6K

Opponent - Seattle Kracken

Brassard has never been a flashy player nor a big-time producer. However, he has two shoot-first wingers on his line and he is playing against a mediocre Alexander Wennberg of Seattle. Brassard should get plenty of chances at the net with Atkinson and Farabee taking pressure off him. If there was an opportunity for Brassard to kick-start his season, it is here.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Matthews(DK $8.4K || FD $8.6K), Zegras(DK $5.2K || FD $4.9K), Schenn(DK $4.8K || FD $6.1K), Chytil(DK $3K || FD $3.6K)

NHL DFS Wings

Wings

William Nylander- DK $6.3K || FD $7.2K

Opponent - New York Rangers

Nylander continues to run away with the season in the first few games. The winger currently leads the team with a 2-2-4 line through three appearances. With the focus more on the Matthews line now, Nylander will gain more freedom on the ice to produce more. He will also get teammate Michael Bunting back on the opposite wing as well. This could be a smash spot with no Ryan Strome on the other side for the Rangers.

Pavel Buchnevich- DK $4.9K || FD $5.7K

Opponent - Arizona Coyotes

The ex-Ranger was not shy in his first game with the Blues. Buchnevich continued to shoot when possible and he immediately made an offensive impact on the second line, picking up one assist in the 5-3 win over Colorado. Oliver Bjorkstrand just blew up against the Coyotes a few days ago in the same position and it only makes Buchnevich’s price that much more enticing of a play. 

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Marner(DK $ 8K || FD $7.7K), Panarin(DK $7.8K || FD $6.2K), Tkachuk(DK $6.8K || FD $6.7K), Perron(DK $6K || FD $6.8K), Atkinson(DK $5.8K || FD $5.5K), Eberle(DK $5.7K || FD $5.1K), Saad(DK $4.6K || FD $4.4K), Bunting(DK $3.7K || FD $4.2K), Lafreniere(DK $3.3K || FD $5.3K), McTavish(DK$ 2.6 ||  FD $3.7K)

NHL DFS Defensemen

Mark Giordano- DK $6.2K || FD $4.9K

Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers

Has the black flame been lit? Are we witnessing a resurrection during this spooky season? It sure looks like it. Giordano has one assist, seven shots and three blocks through three appearances so far. Now, teammate, Vince Dunn is out with an injury and it is going to force the Kraken captain into an even bigger role. With a trip to Philadelphia in store, it would not surprise me if he gets both the shots bonus and the shots blocked bonus.

Morgan Rielly- DK $5.8K || FD $6.2K

Opponent - New York Rangers

Rielly has been magnificent so far to start the season. He is currently averaging 0.66 assists, 3.66 shots and 1.33 blocks through three appearances. Those numbers are also without Austin Matthews in the lineup. With the Leafs healthy now, Rielly will be a part of one of the stronger power-plays in the league.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP): Fox(DK $6.7K || FD $6.6K), Ellis(DK $6.1K || FD $5.4K), Drysdale(DK $4.3K || FD $4.3K), Parayko(DK $4.2K || FD $4.1K), Yandle(DK $3.4K || FD $4.5K), Fleury(DK $2.9K || FD $3.5K)

NHL DFS Top Power Plays and Stacks

• TOR1
• STL1
• STL2
• PHI2

Brandon’s Stack of the Day

STL3: Neal-Thomas-Tarasenko

Chalk Stack: STL1, Saad-O’Reilly-Perron

Sneaky Stack: TOR3, Kampf-Kase-Sandin

NHL Player News and Updates

More DFS Lineup Picks and Analysis