NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (2/28/25)

3 mins ago by Andy Smith

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Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL season is in full swing, and we have a three-game slate on Friday evening.

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

Toronto Maple Leafs L1 - Matthew Knies ($6.1K/$6.2K) - Auston Matthews ($9K/$8.7K) - Mitch Marner ($7.5K/$7.4K)

Opponent - New York Rangers

The Toronto Maple Leafs will be facing a New York Rangers side that will be without top defenseman Adam Fox (upper body) and potentially K'Andre Miller (lower body), which should provide them with elite scoring opportunities.

The Rangers have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck, and could face an even harder challenge without Fox and Miller.

This line has generated a strong 59.6 percent xGoals with a stellar 3.38 xGoals Per 60 Minutes, led by superstar Auston Matthews. Matthews is carrying a strong seven-game point streak into Friday's contest.

Mitch Marner scored two goals in his last contest while Matthew Knies has found the back of the net three times over his past seven.

Mitch Marner Magic 🪄

Electric Goal of the Week presented by @HyundaiCanada pic.twitter.com/3SWPZaJ9Ko

— NHL (@NHL) February 27, 2025

Toronto Maple Leafs L2 - Pontus Holmberg ($3.6K/$5.1K) - John Tavares ($6.3K/$7.1K) - William Nylander ($7.7K/$7.1K)

Opponent - New York Rangers

On a small slate like today's, it is critical to target the best matchup. Toronto's second line should also see ample scoring opportunities against a struggling New York defense.

William Nylander (undisclosed) exited early during the last game on Tuesday but has had ample time to recover leading up to Friday's game. Over his last six, Nylander has tallied six points (three goals) and averaged 2.3 shots on goal per game.

Since the start of the month, John Tavares has tallied seven points in seven games while Pontus Holmberg is riding a three-game goal-scoring streak.

If Nylander is ruled out, this line does not carry as much value. However, if he can suit up, given their 62.6 percent xGoals, they could very well be the top stack on the slate.

Colorado Avalanche L1 - Artturi Lehkonen ($6K/$6.3K) - Nathan MacKinnon ($8.8K/$9.3K) - Martin Necas ($7K/$8.4K)

Opponent - Minnesota Wild

Despite their hefty salaries, Nathan MacKinnon's line should always be in consideration, especially on a small slate. The Avalanche will face the Minnesota Wild, who have allowed the sixth-fewest Expected Goals Against Per 60, but that should not discourage you from selecting one of the best players in the sport.

Through its first 114 minutes of shared ice time, this unit has generated an impressive 69.1 percent xGoals with an impressive 5.05 xGoals Per 60. Over his past five games, MacKinnon has tallied 10 points (three goals), while Martin Necas has tallied seven points over this same stretch.

Artturi Lehkonen has found the back of the net three times during this five-game sample.

Power play goal for Colorado!

Scored by Nathan MacKinnon with 17:03 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Martin Necas and Cale Makar.

Colorado: 2
New Jersey: 0#NJDvsCOL #GoAvsGo #NJDevils pic.twitter.com/TtC9dfwruU

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 27, 2025

Los Angeles Kings L3 - Kevin Fiala ($6.5K/$7.2K) - Quinton Byfield ($5.7K/$6.1K) - Alex Laferriere ($5K/$6K)

Opponent - Dallas Stars

If you want a stack that provides more flexibility but still carries high upside, target Los Angeles' third line. This line has been one of my favorite stacks since the start of the new year and has continued to produce. According to MoneyPuck, this unit has generated a strong 65.8 percent xGoals with 2.98 xGoals Per 60.

Quinton Byfield has dished out 11 helpers over his last seven contests while Kevin Fiala has found the back of the net seven times (nine points) over this same stretch.

Even though the Stars are near the middle of the pack in the league in terms of Expected Goals Against Per 60 (12th most), this line has proved it can generate high-danger chances on a nightly basis.

Other Top Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):

DAL L1
NYR L1

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

Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($7.8K/$7.5K)

Opponent - Minnesota Wild

While he does carry a high salary, on a small slate it is essential to have some of the "chalk" options. Cale Makar is an elite scoring defenseman. Over his previous five games, he has tallied eight points (four on the power play) with 5.2 shots on goal per game.

The Wild have allowed the eighth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while short-handed, making Makar a must-target on this slate. If you choose to target a cheaper forward stack like Los Angeles' third line, Makar is an excellent complement.

Thomas Harley - Dallas Stars ($5.4K/$6.1K)

Opponent - Los Angeles Kings

Thomas Harley has replaced the injured Miro Heiskanen (knee) and has filled in quite nicely on the top pairing. Over his last seven games, Harley has tallied seven points (three goals) while averaging over 25 minutes of total ice time and just under three minutes of power-play time each game.

Even though the Kings have defended the power play quite well, given Harley's hefty ice time and recent play, he is a high-floor target on this slate.

Dallas goal!

Scored by Jamie Benn with 10:23 remaining in the 1st period.

Assisted by Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley.

Columbus: 2
Dallas: 1#DALvsCBJ #CBJ #TexasHockey pic.twitter.com/60z4Nxskci

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) February 26, 2025

Braden Schneider - New York Rangers ($3.3K/$4.2K)

Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs

My final defenseman carries much more risk but could deliver given his new role. Braden Schneider could move up to the top pairing and power-play unit in tonight's game with the previously mentioned Adam Fox (upper body) on IR and K'Andre Miller (lower body) questionable.

While he may not have the highest offensive upside (14 points in 58 games), he has done very well in tallying hits and blocks (103 hits, 109 blocks).

Schneider will likely see power-play time and play on the top pairing. Given his ability to block a high amount of shots (2.7 per game over his last seven), a high amount of ice time should provide him ample opportunities to outproduce his salary. The increased ice time will also improve his offensive upside as well.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Oliver Ekman-Larsson - Toronto Maple Leafs ($4.3K/$4.9K)
Jared Spurgeon - Minnesota Wild ($3.9K/$5K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Mackenzie Blackwood - Colorado Avalanche ($8K/$7.8K)

Opponent - Minnesota Wild

The Wild have struggled to generate consistent scoring opportunities (fourth-fewest Expected Goals Per 60), which should provide Mackenzie Blackwood ample opportunities to succeed. In his last showing, Blackwood stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced en route to defeating the San Jose Sharks.

Over his last seven, Blackwood has posted a 5-2 record with a stellar 1.74 GAA and a .932 save percentage. Playing on his home ice, Blackwood has the best chance to pick up the victory on this slate given his recent play.

Joseph Woll - Toronto Maple Leafs ($7.6K/$8K)

Opponent - New York Rangers

The Toronto Maple Leafs have rotated goalies over the past month, which should set up Joseph Woll to get the starting nod on Friday evening. Over his previous four games, Woll posted a 3-1 record with a .921 save percentage and a 2.53 GAA.

Even though he will be traveling to Madison Square Garden to face the Rangers, they will be without their top defenseman, Adam Fox, which should lower their production on the power play.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):