NHL DFS Playbook October 30: Top DraftKings and FanDuel Picks
Published: Oct 30, 2023
Monday's 9-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 30th
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
With there being 9 games today there is going to be a lot of variety in lineups. The Bookies like Vegas, Pittsburgh, and Dallas to score the most goals today, so we should certainly pay attention to those teams with Jack Eichel, Sidney Crosby, and Jason Robertson being the most notable high-end plays from those teams. I would also keep an eye on the Lightning. They have no shortage of star power with Nikita Kucherov, Steven Stamkos, and Brayden Point, and they will be facing a Seattle team that is in the bottom five in the NHL over the last two weeks in goals allowed. I also don't mind spending up for Detroit's top players Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat. They are facing an Islanders team that has been giving up nearly 38 shots per game on average in their six games. and that could lead to some Detroit goals.
Recommended DFS Starting Goalies
Top Options for Saves
Carter Hart vs Carolina Hurricanes
Jake Oettinger vs Columbus Blue Jackets
John Gibson vs Pittsburgh Penguins
Best Odds for a Win
Jake Oettinger vs Columbus Blue Jackets
Adin Hill vs Montreal Canadiens
Tristan Jarry vs Anaheim Ducks
Favorite Goalies to Use for DFS Lineups
Jake Oettinger G, Dallas Stars
While Oettinger is the most expensive goalie on the slate tonight, he falls perfectly into the cross-section of good chances to get the win and a good chance he faces a lot of shots. That really is DFS dreamland, and on top of that Oettinger is one of the better goalies in the league. He is worth consideration in all game types today.
Jonas Johansson G, Tampa Bay Lightning
I continue to be impressed by the play of Johansson. He is coming off back-to-back shutouts, and he has a 0.940 save percentage over the last two weeks. He will face a Seattle team that has only scored 3 goals per game on average, and in the last two weeks has been terrible on the powerplay converting just 16.7% of their chances.
Carter Hart G, Philadelphia Flyers
Hart is likely to see a lot of shots today, and that on its own will always have some value. Add to that, Hart's 3-0 record at home this season, and a 0.961 save percentage in those games (mind you in just 3 games), but you could have high upside value goalie in Hart today.
Ville Husso, G, Detroit Red Wings
Looking at Husso's splits, he has been much better on the road this season for Detroit. He is just 1-2, but he has a 0.915 save percentage which is respectable. the Islanders will likely never be an offensive juggernaut, so I would expect Husso to have a solid floor and at a very reasonable price.
Recommended DFS Skaters
Highest Expected Goal Totals
Vegas Golden Knights vs Jake Allen (4.1)
Pittsburgh Penguins vs John Gibson (4.1)
Dallas Stars vs Elvis Merzlikins (3.8)
Favorite Skaters to Use for DFS Lineups
Roope Hintz C, Dallas Stars
Whenever Hintz is healthy he is a threat. He has points in four of his last five games, he has been shooting the puck, and he also gets a really nice matchup today facing a woeful Columbus team. Look for him to have a big night!
Leo Carlsson, C, Anaheim Ducks
It has been a nice start to Carlsson's NHL career. He is playing more than 20 minutes per night, and he has three points in his first four games. He should be a solid value choice especially with the Ducks playing a Penguins team that has been really inconsistent so far this season.
Artemi Panarin W, New York Rangers
We are yet to have a game this season where Panarin hasn't gotten a point. Almost more importantly though is that we are seeing him shoot the puck more often. He has at least four shots in four of his last five games, which really helps his floor. Also, it's his birthday today, so maybe he will have a bit of luck on his side as well.
Mason Appleton W, Winnipeg Jets
Appleton looks like he could be a solid value play today. He has five points in his last three games and he is playing second-line minutes for the Jets so there continue to be opportunities for him to continue to ride his hot streak out.
Charlie McAvoy D, Boston Bruins
I'm not usually in on McAvoy, but he has been blocking shots, and he has points in three of his last four games as well, so tonight looks like a night where he could be worth buying back in.
Ilya Lyubushkin, D, Anaheim Ducks
Lyubushkin has blocked 13 shots in these last three games, and he will be facing a Penguins team that is putting 35 shots per game on average on goal right so, so there should be lots of shots out there for him to block.
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Player Pool
| $ Tier | C | W | G | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| High |  Sidney Crosby  $8,300 |  Nikita Kucherov $9,700 | Jonas Johansson $8,300 | |
 Roope Hintz $8,200 |  Alex DeBrincat $9,400 | |||
| Medium |  Chandler Stephenson $6,100 |  Artemi Panarin $7,700 | Jake Oettinger $8,000 |  Charlie McAvoy $6,400 |
| Low |  Leo Carlsson $4,900 | Mason Appleton $4,000 |  Carter Hart $7,900 |
Stacks
| Stars | Roope Hintz | Joe Pavelski | Miro Heiskanen |
 DraftKings | 6900 | 6000 | 5500 |
| Fanduel | 8200 | 8100 | 6500 |
| Ducks | Ilya Lyubushkin | Leo Carlsson | Troy Terry |
| DraftKings | 2900 | 3100 | 5200 |
| Fanduel | 3700 | 4900 | 6000 |
| Rangers | Artemi Panarin | Mika Zibanejad | Jacob Trouba |
| DraftKings | 6500 | 6700 | 5000 |
| Fanduel | 7700 | 7000 | 4900 |
Player News
Jacob Wilson has been diagnosed with a left hand contusion after X-rays came back negative for any fractures.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay told reporters Wilson will continue to undergo further evaluation after being hit on the left hand by Atlanta starter Didier Fuentes in the first inning of Tuesday’s series opener. The 23-year-old rookie sensation, who is slated to start next week’s Midsummer Classic for the American League isn’t completely out of the woods yet, but it’s an encouraging initial update. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now. It seems highly likely that he’s going to sit out at least a couple games moving forward.
Patrick Bailey went 2-for-4 with a three-run, inside-the-park homer to lead the Giants to a 4-3 win over the Phillies on Tuesday.
Bailey knocked a base hit in the fifth inning, then stepped in to bat with two runners on in the ninth with the Giants down by two runs. He took the first pitch from Jordan Romano high off the wall in right-center that caromed away from the outfielders as he raced home to walk it off with an inside-the-park homer. The hit would have been a traditional home run in all 29 other parks.
Kyle Schwarber went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer and a stolen base against the Giants on Tuesday.
Schwarber was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth and stole second before he was caught stealing third. He then gave the Phillies the lead in the seventh with a two-run blast off Spencer Bivens and added a double in the ninth. The 32-year-old slugger is up to 28 homers and nine steals while slashing .254/.384/.549 with 64 runs scored and 65 RBI across 406 plate appearances.
Jordan Romano gave up three runs to blow the save against the Giants on Tuesday.
Romano recorded the final two outs in the eighth to preserve a two-run lead for the Phillies. He returned for the ninth and put two runners on with one out before Patrick Bailey launched a ball that caromed off the top of the wall in right-center as he raced home for an inside-the-park home run to walk it off. Romano hasn’t recorded a save since May 29, with Matt Strahm and Orion Kerkering mostly working in a committee for saves.
Robbie Ray allowed one run with five strikeouts over 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Tuesday.
Ray held the Phillies off the board through five frames before giving up a run on a walk, base hit, and a double in the sixth. He was relieved with two outs in the inning at 99 pitches. He scattered four hits and three walks while collecting five strikeouts. The 33-year-old left-hander will take a 2.63 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and a 122/42 K/BB ratio into the All-Star break.
Taijuan Walker allowed one run with three strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Tuesday.
Walker rejoined the Phillies rotation on Tuesday, making his first start since May 30. He gave up a run in the second inning on a walk and two base hits, then tossed two more scoreless innings, ending his day with three strikeouts over four innings. The 32-year-old right-hander will take a 3.55 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and a 49/24 K/BB ratio across 58 1/3 innings (nine starts) into the All-Star break.