NHL Best Bets & DFS Cheat Sheet, 4/26: Picks, Predictions & Player Props

Published: Apr 26, 2025
Welcome to the NHL Playoffs! Like we did throughout the regular season, the Fantasy Alarm will have you covered in the playoffs. You’ll find our daily NHL Best Bets along with which players you should be targeting in DFS.
We’ve conveniently put it all in one article, just to make life simple. If you have more questions, make sure to hit up the Fantasy Alarm NHL Discord. Let’s dive into the action and build a winning lineup!
NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 4/26
Golden Knights vs. Wild Prediction: Saturday, April 26th
The hockey world is a bit stunned at this development to say the least as the Golden Knights are down 2-1 overall in the series to a wild card Minnesota team. I give the Wild a ton of credit though as their young stars are really stepping up but this Vegas team is deep and built for these moments.
The goaltending has been a bit sloppy for Vegas and the offense managed just 4 goals over their last couple of losses, that just won't get the job done. I do think they bounce back tonight though as Adin Hill is a much better goalie then what he has show and Bruce Cassidy will have his team ready to play tonight. I think it'll be a tight game though so just a simple money line on Vegas tonight from me as they even the series this afternoon.
- Golden Knights Money Line (-150 on FanDuel)
Stars vs. Avalanche Prediction: Saturday, April 26th
This series has been everything it was billed up to be so far as we head into a pivotal Game 4 and I can't wait to watch these teams battle again! It's been heartbreak for Colorado the last pair of games as they fell in overtime and are now behind in the series 2-1. The good news for the Avalanche is that OT playoff hockey is a coin flip and the fact that they were in both games they lost neck and neck bodes well for things to swing up the over way.
I have also been very impressed with MacKenzie Blackwood thus far as he ranks 3rd in the postseason amongst goalies in goals saved above expected at 4.4. Add in his play to this Colorado offense who will score more than 1 goal tonight as they did in Game 3 and I think you have an even series after tonight and the Avalanche win this one in regulation too for good measure.
- Avalanche 60-Minute Money Line (-115 on DraftKings)
Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks
Goalie Of The Day: MacKenzie Blackwood - COL
I talked about Blackwood a bit in my best bets but let me say it again, he is the reason the Avalanche are playing close games right now and he's been fantastic in the process. He's stopped 84 stops over 3 games thus far and has a 2.07 GAA and .923 SV%, he is pulling his weight in a big way. I like the Avs to win and Blackwood to play very well so he's my goalie tonight.
Player Of The Day: Auston Matthews - TOR
Matthews has been quiet on the goal scoring front in this series but he still has 5 total points and 11 shots over the 3 games in this series against the Senators. I see no reason to back away from the Leafs completing the sweep tonight as the Senators just don't look good and while they fought their best in Game 3 they still lost. They will play with nothing to lose tonight and that'll make for looser defense for Matthews to exploit.
Value Play Of The Day: Matt Boldy - MIN
As long as Boldy is under 7k I don't care what the budget says he is a value! The kid has 4 goals and 2 assists to go with 9 shots in the first 3 games of this series against Vegas and in DFS its always smart to ride the hot hand. I may have the Wild losing this game but Boldy is still going to get his, the kid is on fire.
Player Pool
$ Tier | C | W | D | G |
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Stacks
Avalanche | Cale Makar | Martin Necas | Nathan MacKinnon |
![]() | 7600 | 6000 | 9500 |
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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.