NHL DFS Picks, Projections, Lineups & Predictions Today: Thursday Playbook
Published: Jan 16, 2025
Welcome to another NHL DFS Playbook! We have a massive 13-game slate and so many high scoring teams.
We have a lot of numbers to crunch and goalies to choose from, so grab your popcorn and your favorite drink and let’s dive right into the action.
NHL DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, January 16th
Before we get into DFS, let’s make some pick’em picks for the night over on Sleeper.
There are lots of ways we try to fill your wallet over here at Fantasy Alarm and this is just another option.
NHL Pick 'Em Picks On Sleeper Fantasy Today
- Alex Ovechkin O/0.5 G
- Zach Werenski O/3.5 SOG
- Nathan MacKinnon O/3.5 SOG
Alex Ovechkin is going to move one step closer to breaking the all-time goal-scoring record tonight. He has 12 goals in 12 road games this season and he has a matchup with the Ottawa Senators who are very bad defensively. It might take an empty net goal to get there, but he will find the back of the net.
You don’t need me to explain why Zach Werenski on home ice is free money. The Blue Jackets’ defenceman had five shots on goal last game and he has a date with the Sharks tonight. His current line just seems too low. He’s also an option in DFS if you can make the salary work.
Nathan MacKinnon is elite on home ice and there is no way to stop him. Edmonton is playing their second game in as many nights, so fatigue could set in at some point. MacKinnon has only one goal in his last ten games but it’s not because of a lack of effort. His shot volume has been a little low(er) over the last few games, but I expect him to have no shortage of chances tonight to fire the puck.
Thursday Salary Cap DFS Picks
Goalie Of The Day: Andrei Vasilevskiy - TBL
Sometimes, we have to swallow the chalk and pretend to enjoy it. The Anaheim Ducks are a terrible team, but on the road, they are even worse. This team can’t score goals, making Andrei Vasilevskiy a no-brainer in cash games. The Russian netminder has great numbers on home ice and I don’t see that changing tonight.
Honorable Mention: Mackenzie Blackwood - COL
The slate is so big that I’ll give out a bonus goalie option that could really pay off. It’s never a good idea to start a goalie against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, but Mackenzie Blackwood tonight could be the exception. Since being traded from San Jose, he hasn’t allowed more than two goals in ANY game. Could that change tonight? Maybe, but at his $7600 price tag on DraftKings, I’m willing to take the risk.
Player Of The Day: Nikita Kucherov - TBL
Did I mention that the Anaheim Ducks are bad? Nikita Kucherov is expensive, but he can still hit value. I could go over the numbers with you, but that would be a waste of time. He’s elite, so if you can fit him into your lineup, do so.
Honorable Mention: Lucas Raymond - DET
The coaching change in Detroit has made the Red Wings' offence relevant again. They have been scoring goals in bunches over the last five games and Lucas Raymond has been unstoppable. He has nine points in those five games and has been shooting the puck a lot more. The matchup against Florida may not look like a good one, but as a single bullet, I’ll take the upside.
Value Play Of The Day: Lane Hutson - MTL
Guess which other player has nine points in the last five games? Yeah, rookie defenceman Lane Hutson! He’s been nothing short of amazing this season and is showing no signs of slowing down. He doesn’t shoot the puck so his upside is limited, but he plays a lot and racks up assists. Might be hard to trust him in cash game, but for GPPs, fire away
Honorable Mention: Nate Schmidt - FLA
I did not have Nate Schmidt being DFS relevant in 2025, but here we are. He is expected to continue to see time on the top power play unit with Aaron Ekblad out of the lineup and he’s $2600 on DK. I don’t know why he’s on the top unit, but I like that Detroit is ranked 31st on the penalty kill and the Panthers are top 10 on the man advantage. If you need to really save some salary, this is one way to do it.
Stack Of The Day - FLA PP1 (Matthew Tkachuk - Aleksander Barkov - Sam Reinhart)
Oh, you thought I was done with Florida? Nah, we are going to stack that top unit and hope for a lot of goals. The Red Wings are playing better, but they are still a hot mess killing penalties. I’m also not buying the 5.5 total.
Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks
Player Pool
Stacks
| Avalanche | Cale Makar | Mikko Rantanen | Nathan MacKinnon |
 DraftKings | - | - | - |
 Fanduel | - | - | - |
| Avalanche | Cale Makar | Mikko Rantanen | Nathan MacKinnon |
| DraftKings | - | - | - |
| Fanduel | - | - | - |
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.