NHL DFS Playbook October 12: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Published: Oct 12, 2023
Thursday's seven-game NHL slate is loaded with top-tier scorers. We should expect lots of tight games with some great matchups out there, but expect some of the top scorers to shine through still. So, be sure to check in with our NHL DFS Tools, with the daily NHL projections, and our NHL lineup generator when building those lineups today to help you decide which players you should be targeting!
NHL DFS Playbook October 12th
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
There are some interesting matchups to dig into with today's slate. The most notable among them is Vegas going to San Jose. The Sharks added some veterans to their team in the off-season to try and make the team look a little less like an AHL roster, but there is no doubt the Sharks are going to be among the worst teams in the league. Look to get some shares of guys like Jack Eichel, Jonathan Marchessault, Chandler Stephenson, and Shea Theodore. Vegas also should be a good spot to look for cheap blocked shots with players like Brayden McNabb.
Dallas also sees a solid matchup against St. Louis at home. Jason Robertson, Roope Hintz and Joe Pavelski should continue to be one of the best lines in hockey, and the Blues have done very little to improve their woeful goaltending situation from last year. Finally, don't forget to dig in the dirt a little bit with the Flyers heading into Columbus. Both teams were among the worst in the league last season, and while both could be better this year I would want to see it first. Look to both teams' top players who likely won't see much ownership with much bigger names available on this slate.
Recommended DFS Starting Goalies
Top Options for Saves
Filip Gustavsson vs Florida Panthers
Ville Husso vs New Jersey Devils
Igor Shesterkin vs Buffalo Sabres
Best Odds for a Win
Logan Thompson vs San Jose Sharks
Vitek Vanacek vs Detroit Red Wings
Jake Oettenger vs St.Louis Blues
Favorite Goalies to Use for DFS Lineups
Logan Thompson, G, Vegas Golden Knights
It feels like it is too early in the season for Vegas to look past this game, so I would expect Thompson to be the safest place to go for a win today in DFS. The Sharks are going to be among the worst teams in the league, which will likely lead to high ownership of Thompson, so I would try to keep his usage to cash only, especially with not really knowing how many shots the Sharks will put on the net.
Carter Hart, G, Philidelphia Flyers
In GPP games I think we should see a solid start from Hart. The Flyers are going to play defense, block shots and grind, and they could also win games against teams like Columbus. Hart's numbers last season were respectable, and I would expect him to be respectable again today.
Devon Levi, G, Buffalo Sabres
This should be a great place to start Levi. The Rangers are no slouch, but the Sabres are at home, and I expect his ownership numbers should be relatively low with many people likely to back Shesterkin in this matchup.
Recommended DFS Skaters
Highest Expected Goal Totals
New Jersey Devils vs Ville Husso (4.1)
Vegas Golden Knights vs Kaapo Kahkonen (4.1)
Dallas Stars vs Jordan Binnington (3.9)
Favorite Skaters to Use for DFS Lineups
Adam Fantilli, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
Fantill is available tonight at nearly the minimum price. That is quite the bargain for a player who is likely to see about 16 minutes of ice time and be on a top powerplay unit that is full of talent. My expectations wouldn't be through the roof for him, but at his price, I think he can certainly provide value given the situations he is going to be in on the ice.
Vincent Trocheck C, New York Rangers
We could see another bargain in Trocheck today. He looks to be on the Rangers' top powerplay, and he should see lots of ice time tonight. Yes, I like Levi, but I wouldn't be afraid to take the discount on Trocheck as we know that “goalies are voodoo” and it can be especially difficult to trust young goalies.
Kirill Kaprizov, W, Minnesota Wild
This could be the type of game where Kaprizov blows up. The Panthers are missing two of their top four defencemen with injuries, and I am not expecting playoff Bob to make an appearance tonight either. Kaprizov also owns the best odds to score as an anytime goalscorer today as well.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, D, Florida Panthers
With all of the injuries the Panthers have on defense, it looks like OEL is set to get the time on the Panthers' top powerplay, which is loaded with talent. This is a great spot for a player who still can play offense and is value-priced.
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Player Pool
| $ Tier | C | D | W |
|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Tage Thompson  $8,800 |  Dougie Hamilton $6,800 |  Kirill Kaprizov $8,600 |
| Jack Hughes $9,700 |  Jason Robertson $9,500 | ||
| Medium |  Vincent Trocheck $5,200 |  Shea Theodore $5,500 | Artemi Panarin $5,800 |
| Jesper Bratt $5,600 | |||
| Low |  Adam Fantilli $4,000 |  Oliver Ekman-Larsson $4,800 |  Owen Tippett $4,300 |
Stacks
| Golden Knights | Shea Theodore | Jack Eichel | Jonathan Marchessault |
 DraftKings | 5800 | 7900 | 6500 |
| Fanduel | 5500 | 7900 | 6600 |
| Sabres | Alex Tuch | Rasmus Dahlin | Tage Thompson |
| DraftKings | 7000 | 6700 | 8500 |
| Fanduel | 7200 | 6300 | 8800 |
| Wild | Calen Addison | Mats Zuccarello | Kirill Kaprizov |
| DraftKings | 2500 | 5900 | 8100 |
| Fanduel | 3700 | 5900 | 8600 |
| Devils | Jack Hughes | Dougie Hamilton | Jesper Bratt |
| DraftKings | 9000 | 6300 | 5300 |
| Fanduel | 9700 | 6800 | 5600 |
Player News
Dolphins signed No. 13 overall pick DT Kenneth Grant to a four-year contract.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports that Grant will sign his contract today. The former Michigan defensive tackle is expected to fill a major void left by Christian Wilkins, who left for the Raiders in the 2024 offseason. Grant totaled 32 tackles, three sacks, and seven TFLs in his final season at Michigan and excelled at stopping the run while also generating 27 pressures in his final season, per PFF.
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.