NHL DFS: Top Daily Fantasy Expert Picks for DraftKings, FanDuel (4/5/25)

3 mins ago by Andy Smith

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Free daily fantasy hockey lineup picks for today's slate on DraftKings and FanDuel. Use Andy's NHL DFS expert picks to build winning DFS lineups on April 5, 2025.

Hello, RotoBallers! The NHL regular season is in the final stretch, and we have an action-packed eight-game slate on Saturday, April 5.

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

Seattle Kraken L3 - Jared McCann ($6K/$5.9K) - Shane Wright ($6.1K/$5.1K) - Andre Burakovsky ($4K/$4.5K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

The Seattle Kraken will face the San Jose Sharks this evening. According to MoneyPuck, the Sharks have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 60. The Seattle offense has struggled to generate consistent opportunities, but its third line boasts solid metrics that should play well against the weak San Jose defense.

According to MoneyPuck, the Seattle third line has generated a strong 59 percent xGoals with 2.84 xGoals Per 60. Over his last six contests, Jared McCann has tallied nine points (eight helpers) while Andre Burakovsky has found the back of the net three times over this stretch.

Philadelphia Flyers L2 - Matvei Michkov ($6.3K/$6.2K) - Sean Couturier ($5.6K/$5.8K) - Travis Konecny ($6.4K/$6.3K)

Opponent - Montreal Canadiens

One of my favorite lines is headlined by rookie Matvei Michkov. Over his last six contests entering Friday, Michkov has scored four goals and added seven helpers. Sean Couturier was riding an eight-point five-game point streak prior to his recent two-game slump, and Travis Konecny has tallied eight points over his last six.

They have generated an elite 3.82 xGoals Per 60 according to MoneyPuck, which should play against the Montreal Canadiens, who have allowed the third-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play.

MATVEI MICHKOV HAS GOAL #23!!! #Flyers pic.twitter.com/4r2dcW8vOo

— Flyers Nation (@FlyersNation) March 29, 2025

Toronto Maple Leafs L2 - Bobby McMann ($5K/$5.3K) - John Tavares ($7.3K/$8.2K) - William Nylander ($7.5K/$8.2K)

Opponent - Columbus Blue Jackets

You can't go wrong with either of the top two forward lines in Toronto in this matchup, but I will lean in favor of the second unit as they boast slightly higher underlying metrics. Across 131 minutes of shared ice time, this line has generated a strong 3.57 xGoals Per 60 with a 59.5 percent xGoals.

William Nylander has found the back of the net four times and added five helpers over his last seven games, while John Tavares has enjoyed an impressive surge, falling 13 points (nine goals) over this same stretch. They will face the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have allowed the sixth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during even-strength play, according to MoneyPuck.

John Tavares makes it a one goal game! 👀 pic.twitter.com/bI4oxLn8lF

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) March 28, 2025

Tampa Bay Lightning L1 - Jake Guentzel ($7.7K/$7.9K) - Braden Point ($7.1K/$8.1K) - Nikita Kucherov ($9.2K/$9K)

Opponent - Buffalo Sabres

My final line to target comes with a hefty price tag. The Tampa Bay Lightning will travel to Buffalo to face the Sabres, who have allowed the eighth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 during 5-on-5 play and the 11th-most while shorthanded.

This will provide elite scoring opportunities for a loaded top Tampa Bay line. This line has generated a strong 3.01 xGoals For Per 60. Jake Guentzel has found the back of the net five times over the previous seven contests, while Nikita Kucherov has tallied an incredible 19 points over his last 10 games.

Other Lines To Target (Cash/GPP):

TOR L1
MTL L1
COL L1

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Defensemen To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Zach Werenski - Columbus Blue Jackets ($7.8K/$6.8K)

Opponent - Toronto Maple Leafs

Zach Werenski carries a high salary but is worth considering this evening. He will face the Toronto Maple Leafs, who, according to MoneyPuck, have allowed the fourth-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded. Over his last four games, Werenski has tallied five helpers, two of them coming on the power play.

Through 73 games this season, Werenski has averaged just under three minutes of power-play time in each game and totaled 23 of his 74 points on the man advantage.

Vince Dunn - Seattle Kraken ($4.8K/$5.9K)

Opponent - San Jose Sharks

Vince Dunn is the No. 1 power-play QB in Seattle and should have several scoring opportunities facing the Sharks, who have allowed the second-most Expected Goals Against Per 6 during 5-on-5 play and the third-most while shorthanded. Dunn has dished out six helpers over his last eight games.

Through 56 total games this season, Dunn has scored 11 goals and added 26 helpers. Dunn has tallied 10 of his points on the power play and added 66 blocked shots.

Lane Hutson - Montreal Canadiens ($5.1K/$6K)

Opponent - Philadelphia Flyers

Lane Hutson has been one of the most productive defenders over the past week. In his last six games, the rookie has tallied nine points (all helpers). Hutson tallied two of these points on the power play and added an impressive 13 blocked shots.

This evening, he will face the Philadelphia Flyers, who have allowed the 14th-most Expected Goals Against Per 60 while shorthanded. Given his recent surge and ability to block shots, Hutson carries a high floor with elite upside.

Lane Hutson with a HUGE goal to continue his magical rookie year 🚨 pic.twitter.com/GtNoeZ4keN

— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) March 19, 2025

Others To Consider (CASH/GPP):

Cale Makar - Colorado Avalanche ($8K/$7.2K)
Victor Hedman - Tampa Bay Lightning ($6.5K/$6.3K)

Goalies To Target - NHL DFS Picks

Frederik Andersen - Carolina Hurricanes ($8.4K/$8K)

Opponent - Boston Bruins

Frederik Andersen carries an impressive seven-game winning streak into Saturday's contest. During this stretch, Andersen has posted a stellar 1.43 GAA with a .942 save percentage. During this stretch, he has only allowed two goals in three contests.

This evening, he will face the Boston Bruins, who have only scored more than two goals once over their past nine games. Andersen is an elite option on this slate.

Adin Hill - Vegas Golden Knights ($8K/$7.5K)

Opponent - Calgary Flames

Adin Hill has taken a loss in each of his previous two games but should be poised to bounce back facing a modest Calgary offense. According to MoneyPuck, the Flames have generated the eighth-fewest Expected Goals For Per 60 during 5-on-5 play this season.

Before this two-game skid, Hill was riding a five-game winning streak where he posted a 1.80 GAA and a .924 save percentage.

Other Options To Consider: