NHL DFS: NHL DFS Picks Today

What is Daily Fantasy NHL?

The history of NHL DFS picks traces back to the inception of fantasy sports itself, which has been around for over two decades. Unlike traditional fantasy leagues that run for an entire season, daily fantasy sports for hockey allows players to draft new NHL DFS lineups each day. This format gained popularity with the rise of internet-based platforms, making it easier for fans to engage with stats and player performances in real time.

Today, NHL DFS has become a sophisticated blend of strategy and sports knowledge, with platforms like DraftKings and FanDuel leading the charge. Players can assess a wide variety of metrics from player stats to game conditions and historical performances to make their picks.

The allure of DFS isn’t just in the money winnings but also in the thrill of acting like an owner in a competitive setting. These matchups offer a fresh slate every day and so many possibilities to win. Playing NHL DFS at hockey betting sites is a no-brainer.

Is Playing NHL DFS the Same as Making Prop Bets?

NHL DFS picks today might seem similar to making prop bets. Both formats involve predicting player performances, but in reality, they’re totally different.

In DFS, you’re building a lineup under a salary cap, aiming to outscore others by getting points based on players’ statistical outputs. Prop bets focus on specific outcomes like whether a player will score a goal or how many shots they’ll take in a game. For example, betting on Connor McDavid to score over 0.5 goals is a prop bet, but selecting him for your DFS lineup involves considering his overall game stats.

NHL DFS Tips

Getting into making an NHL DFS lineup isn’t just about who’s hot and who’s not. It’s not just about choosing the players on top of the stats sheet. It’s way more strategic than that and requires real-time decision-making.

These tips will help sharpen your approach to building lineups that can outperform the competition if you’re in a legal DFS state.

Nathan MacKinnon Stats

Nathan MacKinnon, a center for the Colorado Avalanche, consistently ranks as a top pick in DFS NHL leagues. This is because of his high-scoring ability and playmaking skills. MacKinnon racks up tons of goals and assists, contributing significantly to both power play points and game-winning goals.

His agility and ice presence make him a formidable opponent in faceoffs as well for any DFS sites that award points in that category. Plus, his higher than average ice time generally means more fantasy points.

There are only a handful of players like MacKinnon, but these stats reflect how one core player can be an essential pick for any fantasy manager looking to dominate in daily matchups.

David Pastrnak Stats

David Pastrnak of the Boston Bruins is one of the most dynamic wingers in the league. Pastrnak, and other wingers like him, are a standout choice for NHL DFS today.

Pastrnak is always a prolific goal scorer, nearly hitting 50 goals during the 2023/2024 season. Sure, he can score, but he’s also great at creating opportunities, amassing 47 assists. Those 97 regular season points means way more points for you, if he becomes a core player for your team.

His sharpshooting is evident from his high shots on goal count as well, proving it’s not a fluke. Like Pastrnak, look for players who are a part of the power play unit which heightens their potential for even more scoring, and sometimes bonus.

Choosing Pastrnak means betting on a player who can turn the tide of a fantasy matchup with his consistently explosive performances from the wing.

Alex Ovechkin Stats

Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals remains a powerhouse in any NHL DFS strategy, even as his age gets up there. Ovechkin still seems to score 50 goals per season, reinforcing his reputation as one of the NHL’s most formidable goal scorers. He also gets tons of points with high assists and power play contributions.

Ovechkin’s knack for landing shots on goal – averaging over 300 shots per season – makes him a fantasy goldmine. His consistent performance is legendary. There may come a time when he’s no longer a smart choice, but it hasn’t come yet.

Cale Makar Stats

Cale Makar is the second player from the Colorado Avalanche we suggest, but it’s for good reason. The defenseman has quickly become a staple in NHL DFS picks thanks to his offensive capabilities.

In the 2023/2024 season, Makar tallied 21 goals and 69 assists, numbers uncommonly high for a defenseman. His participation on the Avalanche’s top power-play unit significantly boosts his fantasy value as well. Makar’s position, allowing him to block shots and see more ice time per game makes him an undeniable DFS threat.

Andrei Vasilevskiy Stats

Choosing a goalie might be the most important step in choosing a lineup for NHL DFS tonight. You want the shutout, but in the NHL, it’s not uncommon for even good goalies to have five or more pucks fly past them. Our choice for a goalie? Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In 2022/2023, Vasilevskiy led the league with 39 wins, clearly showcasing his importance to the team’s success and for fantasy lineups. Last season, his goals against average (GAA) of 2.90 and a save percentage (SV%) of .900 reflect his consistency in the net. Vasilevskiy is also known for racking up shutouts, adding big bonus points for DFS players.

Get Started on the Best DFS NHL Sites

Are you new to NHL DFS? Choosing the right platform is the first step on the journey, and obviously, a very important one. From user-friendly interfaces to expansive contest selections, the best DFS hockey picks today are found on sites that cater specifically to NHL fans.

Below are a few of our favorites. All of these sites offer both DFS promo codes and DFS apps to their users.

FanDuel

FanDuel stands out as one of the best DFS sites for NHL fans. Its daily contests, interesting game formats, and generous promos make it a top pick. FanDuel’s detailed NHL-specific guidelines and hockey obsessed community makes for an incredible fantasy sports experience.

DraftKings

DraftKings is also a top choice for NHL DFS, offering a wide array of contests and game options that cater to every type of fan. The site features real-time scoring updates, extensive player stats, and generous promos that make the challenge of daily fantasy hockey very exciting.

Underdog Fantasy

Underdog Fantasy simplifies the DFS experience, making it perfect for newcomers. Their daily fantasy hockey offers easy entry, intuitive play, and transparent promos. It’s a fantastic platform if you’re looking to dive into NHL contests without the hassle of complex rules.

Yahoo Fantasy

Yahoo Fantasy, one of the most popular platforms across all fantasy sports, excels with its suite of NHL contests. It’s known for having contests aimed at simplicity, intricate depth, and everything in between. Detailed player projections let you feel like your lineups have been scouted just for you, giving you that competitive edge that makes all the difference.

PrizePicks

There’s so much lineup building in DFS, and PrizePicks offers a fresh take on NHL daily fantasy picks by focusing on player performance predictions instead. They simplify the fantasy process with a straightforward over/under on player stats, making it much easier to figure out for any players that might not be seasoned DFS veterans yet. Basically, it’s a great option for quick, exciting game day wagers.

Jock MKT

Jock MKT turns NHL DFS into a real-time market, where player shares are bought and sold like stocks on Wall Street. This innovative approach can feel more engaging because it changes things up by adding this financial twist to fantasy sports. If you love the idea of fantasy leagues and understanding the buy and sell nature of stock trading, then Jock MKT will be a great place to start.

ThriveFantasy

ThriveFantasy is another platform that changes the general format. Here, NHL DFS has more of a prop-based approach, where you bet on player performances relative to projected stats. It’s not just about who wins; it’s how they perform. Engage in Thrive Fantasy contests if you’re a true data head.

SuperDraft

If you’re tired of being tethered by salary cap restrictions, SuperDraft frees you from that with its unique Multiplier mode. This format is a total game-changer in NHL DFS. This feature allows for flexibility in lineup building where you can really just try to create the perfect lineup.

Boom Fantasy

Boom Fantasy integrates the community dynamics of social media into the traditional NHL DFS format. It’s about picking players, sure, but it’s also so much more than that. It’s about sharing and competing in a community-driven environment. This makes Boom a great choice for those who enjoy the social aspect of fantasy sports as much as the competition.

Fliff

Fliff blends NHL DFS with standard sports betting elements, creating a unique NHL pick’em style format. For fans who want a straightforward, engaging experience without complex lineup decisions, then Fliff is perfect.

Betr

Betr raises the stakes of NHL DFS with its microbetting innovation. Here, players can bet on individual plays and player performances. This means less lineups and more specific choices. have a feeling about a certain player? Go ahead and go all in on them. This platform is engaging because it’s not just every game that matters, but every puck drop and power play.

NHL DFS Optimizers

Optimizers can be very important when playing NHL DFS, they aren’t essential for playing. If you’re not entirely sure what an optimizer is, it’s a tool players use to fine-tune their lineup selections based on complex algorithms created by player performance projections. These can enhance your strategy, but shouldn’t decide on your entire lineup based on them.

NHL DFS: the Bottom Line

NHL DFS requires more than just passion for hockey, even though that’s a great place to start. It also demands strategy, timely decision-making, and ongoing learning of the league and its teams.

Whether you’re drafting goalies or forwards, staying informed ensures that every pick you make is done so with all of the information you can get. Maybe the coach has a grudge against the other team. Maybe the top scorer’s line mate is out with an injury. The more you know, the better you’ll do against the odds.