NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (3/22/25)

8 hours 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 Saturday, March 22.

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

Boston Bruins L1 - Morgan Geekie ($6K/$6.2K) - Pavel Zacha ($5.5K/$5.6K) - David Pastrnak ($9K/$8.6K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

The Boston Bruins have the best matchup on the slate, facing the San Jose Sharks, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60, according to MoneyPuck. This top unit has logged 580 minutes of ice time together throughout the season and should be viewed as a top option.

Across this high share of ice time, they have generated a strong 2.83 xGoals Per 60 with a 55.9 percent xGoals.

David Pastrnak has only been held off the scoresheet once over his past eight games. During this stretch, he has found the back of the net twice and added seven helpers. Both Morgan Geekie and Pavel Zacha enter Saturday, riding a two-game point streak.

Boston goal!

Scored by Morgan Geekie with 02:11 remaining in the 3rd period.

Assisted by Pavel Zacha and David Pastrnak.

Vegas: 5
Boston: 1#BOSvsVGK #VegasBorn #NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/vrxj4ENM13

— NHL Goals (@nhl_goal_bot) March 21, 2025

Colorado Avalanche L1 - Artturi Lehkonen ($5.2K/$6.1K) - Nathan MacKinnon ($9.2K/$9K) - Martin Necas ($8K/$7.1K)

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

The Colorado Avalanche also has a great matchup on this slate, facing the Montreal Canadiens, who have allowed a hefty 2.82 Expected Goals Against Per 60 according to MoneyPuck, which is the third-most in the sport.

This unit has been one of the top lines in the league since Martin Necas was shipped to Colorado. Across 209 minutes of shared ice time, they have generated an elite 4.3 xGoals Per 60 with an impressive 67.6 percent xGoals.

Over his past 11 games, Nathan MacKinnon has tallied 18 points (111 helpers) and is a top lineup anchor this evening.

Vegas Golden Knights L1 - Ivan Barbashev ($4.1K/$5.4K) - Jack Eichel ($7.5K/$8.5K) - Mark Stone ($6.4K/$6.9K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

The Golden Knights will be playing host to the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed the 10th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play, according to MoneyPuck. In addition, the Red Wings have allowed the most Expected Goals Against while shorthanded,

This top line has generated a solid 2.72 xGoals Per 60 and should be in a good position to get themselves on the scoresheet.

Over his last 10 contests, Jack Eichel has only been held off the scoresheet once and has tallied 13 points over this stretch, with eight of them coming on the power play.

Facing a weak defensive team that struggles in both even-strength play and on the penalty kill should provide this line with ample scoring opportunities.

Toronto Maple Leafs L2 - Bobby McMann ($4K/$5.4K) - John Tavares ($6.1K/$7.5K) - William Nylander ($7.1K/$7.9K)

Opponent - Nashville Predators

The Toronto Maple Leafs will carry a three-game winning streak into their tilt against the Nashville Predators. According to MoneyPuck, the Predators have allowed the 16th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even-strength play and the 14th-most while shorthanded.

This will benefit Toronto's second offensive line that has generated an impressive 4.22 xGoals Per 60 across their first 67 minutes of shared ice time. Across this stint, they have posted an eye-catching 72.1 percent xGoals.

William Nylander has tallied 14 points over his last 10 contests. John Tavares has scored five goals over his last seven.

JOHN TAVARES FIRES IN POINT NUMBER 11OO! 😱 pic.twitter.com/IO8Ap39iYF

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 21, 2025

Other Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):

TOR L1
VGK L2

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

Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Noah Hanifin - Vegas Golden Knights ($5K/$5.4K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

Given that the Red Wings have allowed the most Expected Goals Against Per 60 white shorthanded, Noah Hanifin should be viewed as a top play in this matchup. Over his last 11 contests, Hanifin has tallied 11 points (three goals) with six of his points coming on the power play.

During this 11-game stretch, Hanifin averaged just under 2.5 minutes of power-play time in each contest.

Luke Hughes - New Jersey Devils ($4.5K/$5.3K)

Opponent - Ottawa Senators

Another power-play quarterback to target is Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils. Hughes and the Devils will play host to the Ottawa Senators, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded, according to MoneyPuck.

Over his past eight contests, Hughes has tallied seven points, with four of them coming on the power play. During this stretch, Hughes has been deployed as the clear power-play QB1, with Dougie Hamilton (lower body) shut down for the regular season.

Hughes has also been producing during 5-on-5 play, generating a solid 2.74 xGoals Per 60 alongside Brett Pesce.

Mason Lohrei - Boston Bruins ($4.7K/$4.8K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

My final defenseman to target is Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins. Lohrei enters this contest in the midst of a scoring slump but should be in a prime position to bounce back.

The San Jose Sharks have allowed the fifth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded and the second-most during 5-on-5 play.

Over his past nine games, Lohrei has tallied just one helper but has seen over two minutes of power-play time in each game. Before this skid, Lohrei tallied five points over his last four with three of the points coming on the power play.

Operating as the clear power-play QB1 for Boston should provide him ample scoring opportunities in this contest.

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($8K/$7.1K)
Nick Blankenburg - Nashville Predators ($3.6K/$4.4K)
Morgan Rielly - Toronto Maple Leafs ($5K/$5.2K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Jeremy Swayman - Boston Bruins ($8.3K/$8K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

Jeremy Swayman is riding a three-game losing streak into this contest but that should not deter fantasy managers away from selecting him on this slate. He will have one of the best matchups this evening, facing the Sharks, who have generated the fifth-fewest Expected Goals Per 60 during even-strength play, according to MoneyPuck.

The Sharks have also tallied the eighth-fewest high-danger shots, which should play well against a Boston defense that has allowed the 12th-fewest Expected Goals Against Per 60 this season.

Adin Hill - Vegas Golden Knights ($8.4K/$7.9K)

Opponent - Detroit Red Wings

My other goaltender carries much less risk. Over his past eight contests, Adin Hill has posted a strong 6-1-1 record with a solid .937 save percentage and a 1.75 GAA. However, during this stretch, he had one blow-up start where he allowed six goals. Removing that one fluke game, Hill would sit with an incredible 1.13 GAA and a .975 save percentage over his last six.

This evening, Hill and the Golden Knights will host the Red Wings, who have generated the 11th-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 this season, according to MoneyPuck. The Red Wings have also generated the 10th-fewest high-danger shots and the 13th-fewest medium-danger shots.