NHL DFS Playbook October 21: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Published: Oct 21, 2023
Saturday's 13-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 21st
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
With there being 13 games today there is going to be a lot of variety in lineups. The bookies like Vegas, Minnesota, Toronto and Dallas to score the most goals today, so we should certainly pay attention to those teams with Kirill Kaprizov, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews and Jason Robertson being the most notable high-end plays from those teams. I would also keep an eye on the Oilers, as Leon Draisaitl and Connor McDavid need no introduction, and they are facing a Jets team that has really struggled to keep the puck out of their net in the last week. I also don't mind spending up for Colorado's top players Nathan MacKinnon, Mikko Rantanen, and Cale Makar. Usually, I would avoid matchups against Carolina, but the Canes have been giving up more than 5 goals on average in their last four games.
Recommended DFS Starting Goalies
Top Options for Saves
Pyotr Kochetkov vs Colorado Avalanche
Mackenzie Blackwood vs Nashville Predators
Igor Shesterkin vs Seattle Kraken
Best Odds for a Win
Scott Wedgewood vs Philadelphia Flyers
Juuse Saros vs San Jose Sharks
Adin Hill vs Chicago Blackhawks
Favorite Goalies to Use for DFS Lineups
Tristan Jarry, G, Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are big favorites in this game which is saying something with them being on the road. Jarry will face a Blues team that has scored a league-low 1.5 goals per game on average so far this season so this should be a good matchup for Jarry and the Penguins.
Igor Shesterkin, G, New York Rangers
Shesterkin continues to struggle which has helped keep his price low, but there is lots of upside for him today with Seattle putting 35 shots on goal on average each game,
Juuse Saros, G, Nashville Predators
Saros is going to be facing what might be the worst team in the league today the Sharks. He will be more of a cash game play as the Sharks have only averaged 21 shots per game so far this season, but this is definitely a game the Preds should win.
Elvis Merzlikins, G, Columbus Blue Jackets
It has only been two games, but Merzlikins has played very well in both of his starts this season. He has only given up three goals in two games while stopping 95 percent of the shots he has faced. Columbus isn't the favorite to get the win, but with Merlikins keeps playing this well they will be in the game and have a chance to win.
Recommended DFS Skaters
Highest Expected Goal Totals
Vegas Golden Knights vs Arvid Soderblom (4.0)
Minnesota Wild vs Elvis Merzlikins (4.0)
Dallas Stars vs Samuel Ersson (3.9)
Favorite Skaters to Use for DFS Lineups
Leon Draisaitl, C, Edmonton Oilers
The Oilers are hard to predict, but Draisaitl has been as consistent as any player in the league. He typically plays 21 minutes each night, he has scored in three of his four games this year and he should continue to be a stud. Add to that the Oilers will face the Jets at home today and the Jets have given up 4.67 goals per game on average so far this year, so look for the Draisaitl and the Oilers to light the lamp often today.
Auston Matthews C, Toronto Maple Leafs
While Matthews didn't score in his last game, he still got you five shots on goal and three blocked shots. You shouldn't expect him to block that many shots, but with his shots and his ability to score, he should be worth his high price today.
Kirill Kaprizov W, Minnesota Wild
With a good matchup, it is hard to bet against Kaprizov. He has six points in four games, he has scored in each of his last two games, and he has no less than four shots on goal in three of those games. He has all the upside, and a solid floor as well.
Sam Reinhart W, Florida Panthers
Reinhart has scored in three straight games, and he also has blocked three shots in back-to-back games as well. He gets lots of ice time and he should continue to be in a position to have big nights for the Panthers.
Jacob Trouba, D, New York Rangers
At his price, I think you can get a lot of value out of Trouba. He has blocked three shots or more in three of his four games, and he will still shoot the puck and get you points some nights as well.
Jamie Oleksiak, D, Seattle Kraken
Oleksiak is a straight blocked shots player, but he is near minimum priced, and he has blocked three shots or more in three of his five games.
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Player Pool
| $ Tier | C | W | D | G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Auston Matthews  $10,300 |  Kirill Kaprizov $8,700 |  Cale Makar $7,600 |  Adin Hill $8,700 |
| Nathan MacKinnon $10,400 | ||||
| Medium |  Mark Scheifele $6,200 |  Sam Reinhart $6,600 |  Jacob Trouba $4,700 |  Igor Shesterkin $8,400 |
| Low |  Evgeny Kuznetsov $4,400 | Juuso Parssinen $4,300 |  Justin Schultz $3,700 |  Juuse Saros $7,000 |
Stacks
| Avalanche | Devon Toews | Mikko Rantanen | Nathan MacKinnon |
 DraftKings | 4600 | 8200 | 9700 |
| Fanduel | 5900 | 9800 | 10400 |
| Jets | Mark Scheifele | Kyle Connor | Josh Morrissey |
| DraftKings | 6100 | 7200 | 6400 |
| Fanduel | 6200 | 6500 | 6300 |
| Panthers | Aleksander Barkov | Oliver Ekman-Larsson | Sam Reinhart |
| DraftKings | 7300 | 4200 | 6400 |
| Fanduel | 6800 | 4800 | 6600 |
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.