The NHL Playoffs are closer than you think, meaning every game matters now for those teams on the outside looking in. This is the ideal time to be playing Daily Fantasy or Pick’em at sites like Underdog Fantasy. FantasyData has player projections and an NHL Optimizer to help you win!
NHL DFS Tips
Here are some players who can be great NHL adds to your DFS lineups and a couple of players you may want to avoid, but players I could see trending up to end the year.
A player you can get deep in drafts and a cheaper DFS option is Sam Reinhart. The Florida Panthers C/RW has had a very good season with an average of 1 point per game (PPG%). What gives Reinhart his value is his powerplay opportunities. The Panthers average over 4 goals per game and being able to get a forward who plays on the first powerplay unit with Barkov and Huberdeau offers immense value in DFS formats.
Jake Guentzel, of the Pittsburgh Penguins, has the privilege of playing with one of the best players of all time, Sidney Crosby, and he is taking advantage. Guentzel averages a goal just about every other game (53%) and over a point a game (1.12 PPG). He may be a little pricier than other players on this list, but he has been great this season and I do not see him slowing down. 1st line minutes and powerplay opportunities make him a great play in your DFS Lineups.
Patrik Laine has really taken a step up since last season. Columbus seems to find themselves in a high-scoring game most nights. As they rank top 10 in goals per game (3.3) and 2nd in goals against per game (3.48). Laine benefits from this as the Blue Jackets have to keep up with other teams and they seem to on most nights. Laine has missed many games this season and he still averages 1.1 PPG and is close to being the point leader on this Blue Jackets team. When on the ice he is a game-changer and an integral piece to the Blue Jackets offense.
Timo Meier has been playing well and with injuries that the Sharks have had to endure, he has taken a step forward. Even though the Sharks are not having a great season, Meier is. He is averaging over a point a game (1.1) and in DFS consistency is key. Having a player that can score and assist is huge for DFS. Meier is top 5 in the league in shots taken and is a great choice for your lineup.
Zach Werenski is just coming back from injury and he is a great player. He averages more than 26 minutes a game of ice time (one of the highest averages for ice time in the league). The Blue Jackets also rank top 10 in goals per game. He is great offensively going forward for a defenseman. His offensive and playmaking ability combined with his ice time is a great formula for him to have a good game in your DFS lineup.
Troy Terry has had a great season for the Ducks. The Ducks are battling to make the playoffs and Terry is a huge reason they have a chance to make the playoffs. Terry has a point percentage of .92 and an amazing shooting percentage of 23%, one of the highest in the league.
A player that gets overshadowed on this Tampa Bay team is Alex Killorn. A player that is not going early in Underdog drafts or DFS but he has had a good season. He has such great opportunity because of who he plays with, his linemates being Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos. Killorn is also on the first powerplay unit which offers even more opportunity. Any player who has the opportunity to play with linemates of that quality is worth taking a shot on in DFS formats. He is averaging .82 points per game.
Jesper Bratt, the point a game forward for the New Jersey Devils, is a great pick for your hockey lineups. On a team that is not going to make the playoffs this year, Bratt has put together a great season. Playing with Nico Hischier has surely improved his game and Bratt has stepped up this season. Bratt is averaging 1 PPG.
Two players that have not had the most impressive seasons so far but could have a great finish to the regular season and won’t cost too much in DFS formats:
Avoid Players
Alexis Lafreniere is the first player I could see finishing the season strong. The Rangers forward has not had the most impressive season but the 1st overall pick in the 2020 draft could take that next step up for the playoff push. He is playing with one of the league’s top goal scorers, Chris Kreider and that opens up a path to him having more assists. What’s holding Lafreniere back is his shot attempts. He is only averaging 1.3 shots per game. The playmaking forward needs to become more involved and he will flourish on this Rangers team.
With the injury to Jake Muzzin, Rasmus Sandin has stepped up and played on the first defensive pairing for the Toronto Maple Leafs. He recently missed a few games with a non-covid illness but he has a great opportunity to thrive playing alongside Morgan Rielly. Sandin is an aggressive defenseman who has the ability to jump in on the rush. He is a player who you could get late in drafts or cheap in DFS and could provide good upside for the cost.
Underdog Fantasy Picks
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