NHL DFS Playbook October 11: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Published: Oct 11, 2023
Wednesday’s six-game NHL DFS slate is loaded with top-tier scorers as the 2023-24 NHL season starts up. There are elite players to choose from like Connor McDavid, David Pastrnak and Auston Matthews, but we also can find some very good value. There are lots of different ways to build your perfect lineup, but remember that it’s early in the year, so don’t go all out. This is a marathon and not a sprint. We are in it for the long haul. Be sure to check in with our NHL DFS Tools, NHL daily projections, and our NHL DFS lineup generator when building those daily fantasy hockey lineups today to help you decide on which players you should be targeting! As you enjoy tonight's NHL slate, check out these NHL DFS top plays and NHL daily picks on DraftKings and FanDuel for Tuesday, October 11th. Also, if you're looking to make NHL betting picks or hockey best bets, check out our friends at Bettor Sports Network for some NHL predictions today.
NHL DFS Playbook October 11
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
There’s no question that some of the elite players are going to be chalk, which means we need to find value. There’s also the question of deciding which elite superstar to pay up for. It could be a smart strategy to fade the chalk in a GPP, but you’ll need some exposure to Boston, Edmonton and Toronto in cash games.
Recommended DFS Starting Goalies
Top Options for Saves
Alex Georgiev Vs. Los Angeles Kings
Frederik Andersen Vs. Ottawa Senators
Jacob Markstrom Vs. Winnipeg Jets
Joonas Korpisalo Vs. Carolina
Best Odds for a Win
Ilya Samsonov Vs. Montreal Canadiens
Linus Ullmark Vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Stuart Skinner Vs. Vancouver Canucks
Fredrik Andersen Vs. Ottawa Senators
Favorite Goalies to Use for DFS Lineups
Linus Ullmark, G, Boston Bruins
The Bruins won’t be as good as they were last season, but they have an elite matchup on paper. Linus Ullmark put up record numbers last year and he could have himself a really strong game tonight against a Chicago team that is playing on back-to-back nights. The shot volume might not be there, but he has the best chance of picking up the win.
Frederik Andersen, G, Carolina Hurricanes
We still don’t know what the Ottawa Senators are going to be like as a team this season, but we do know that the Carolina Hurricanes are going to be good. They are a great overall team, which gives Frederik Andersen a boost. The veteran netminder is in a good spot to see a healthy amount of shots but still win the game.
Ilya Samsonov, G, Montreal Canadiens
I don’t know how much Ilya Samsonov I’ll have tonight, but we should expect the Leafs to win this game on home ice. Montreal has some elite forwards in their lineup, but their goaltending is just not good and they could get exploited tonight. Samsonov needs to play well enough to get the win.
Alexandar Georgiev, G, Colorado Avalanche
This might feel like a tough spot for Alexandar Georgiev, but the upside is TO THE MOON! Los Angeles is capable of firing the puck at a high level, but will that translate to goals? Colorado is also a pretty decent defensive team, so if anything, this game ends up being a low-scoring affair. His $7800 price on DraftKings is also very reasonable.
Recommended DFS Skaters
Highest Expected Goal Totals
Boston Bruins vs Arvid Soderblom (4.3)
Edmonton Oilers vs. Thatcher Demko (4.0)
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Jake Allen (4.2)
Carolina Hurricanes vs. Joonas Korpisalo (3.9)
Favorite Skaters to Use for DFS Lineups
Connor McDavid, C, Edmonton Oilers
There has been a lot of hype around Connor Bedard, but don’t let that distract form the fact that Connor McDavid is still the best hockey player on the planet. Edmonton is expected to score goals tonight and you know McDvaid is going to be part of the action. Fade if you dare.
David Pastrnak, W, Boston Bruins
The NHL schedule makers really hate the Chicago Blackhawks. There’s no reason to open their season with back-to-back games, but here we are. The Bruins may struggle to score goals, but David Pastrnak will not. He’s going to see more than enough scoring chances to flirt with value.
Cole Caufield, W, Montreal Canadiens
The disrespect here is just too much for me. Cole Caufield is an elite goalscorer who is $4200 tonight on DK. Did I miss something? I get that the Habs might not win the game, but no one is going to be shooting the puck more than Cole tonight. One assist and 5 shots on goal is more than enough for him to hit value.
Zach Hyman, W, Edmonton Oilers
Can’t afford to pay up for McDavid? That’s fine, Zach Hyman is on the top line and top power play unit and he’s a cool $5800. What a gift that is! Don’t make this more complicated than it needs to be.
Seth Jones, D, Chicago Blackhawks
I don’t love paying $5200 for Seth Jones tonight, but I do like that he can hit value without having to register a point. He’s going to shoot the puck, but he’s also going to be on the ice a ton and that could lead to him hitting the blocked shots bonus. It’s a fair price for a player who also has offensive upside.
David Savard, D, Montreal Canadiens
We are chasing the blocked shots bonus with David Savard tonight. He’s $3100 and is going to be tasked with trying to slow down Matthews and company. He has very little offensive upside, which in this case, works out well for us. Montreal also might get into some penalty trouble, so that just gives Savard more quality minutes for him to block shots. He could hit the bonus before the second period is even over.
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Player Pool
| $ Tier | C | D | W |
|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Connor McDavid  $10,300 |  Cale Makar $7,400 |  David Pastrnak $9,800 |
 Auston Matthews $9,800 |  Mikko Rantanen $9,500 | ||
 Elias Pettersson $8,100 | |||
| Medium | John Tavares $7,200 | Devon Toews $5,800 | William Nylander $7,500 |
 Connor Bedard $7,000 |  Seth Jones $5,700 | Zach Hyman $7,000 | |
| Pavel Zacha $5,900 | Ryan Nugent-Hopkins $7,100 | ||
| Low |  Nick Suzuki $5,100 |  Jake Sanderson $4,300 | Cole Caufield $4,900 |
| David Savard $4,200 | |||
| Evan Bouchard $5,500 |
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.