NHL DFS Hot Shot for DraftKings and FanDuel (Feb. 24)

This article focuses on 2/24 NHL Picks for both DraftKings Sportsbook and DraftKings Daily Fantasy. We analyze tournament tactics, statistics, pricing, and attempt to tackle this highly variable Daily Fantasy format so that we can gain an edge on the field at large. Full rankings for each position for both sites are available below.

NHL Slate and DFS Gameplan

Welcome back to the Hot Shot for an eight-game Thursday slate!

Full Game Odds/Totals and DraftKings Rankings can be found below as well as cash game considerations for each site.

2/24 NHL Favorite Lines Per Dollar

Top Line – Pittsburgh One “Sidney Crosby, Jake Guentzel, Bryan Rust”

They will be the chalk de jour of the night. but popularity be damned, this line is certainly necessary to mention all things considered. Pittsburgh stands out along with the Panthers as the slates’ biggest favorites by a wide margin. The Pens host the Devils and as of the time of writing are -330 money line favorites and this is one of three 6.5 total games on the night. This line is tied for fifth in the NHL over the span of the last ten games with 135 shot attempts for “SATF”, which includes all shot attempts, and six goals tying them for tenth among all lines. Jon Gillies should start in net for the Devils and his .893 save % and 3.50 GAA are worth targeting. As far as each skater individually, Sidney Crosby looks like a “Kid” again, has been the most consistent of the three, and fills a center spot; so he would be my choice at the moment of the three.

Secondary Line – Florida Three “Mason Marchment, Anton Lundell, Sam Reinhart”

It is rare that I write up a team’s third line but there are certainly exceptions to the rule. Florida, much like Pittsburgh above, is a huge home favorite (-370) in one of the three 6.5 total games. The Panther’s third line has been on fire recently to the tune of eleven full-line goals over their last ten games, good for a three-way tie for second-best in the NHL “tied with two lines mentioned below” over that sample size. Now keep in mind they have been doing some exceptional shooting, as their 51 SATF is super low and feels more indicative of what you might normally see from a third line. However, neither of Florida’s top two lines falls anywhere on the top 30, so the assumption is this is the line that will somehow find a way to do some damage. Given the paltry SATF and lack of top power-play time aside from Sam Reinhart’s exposure, I’d normally fade, but here between price and matchup, I think you hope that the hot shooting continues.

Honorable Mention: Calgary One “Elias Lindholm, Johnny Gaudreau, Matthew Tkachuk”

Tonight’s matchup for the Flames in Vancouver is not optimal with Thatcher Demko set up to man the opposing net and the low 5.5 total as of the time of writing reflects. However, this line has been nothing short of fire with a league-high “by a wide margin” 200 SATF over their last ten games “as well as the league’s best SATF for any line over this entire season”. Right now, it is Elias Lindholm with the hottest hand of the bunch with goals in a whopping eight straight games over Calgary’s ten-game win streak. The Flames’ second line is certainly a viable option as well as their 11 goals over their last ten games ties the top line and the Panthers’ third line mentioned above, for the second-best in the NHL within this timeframe. These are more contrarian picks but can certainly pay off if the earlier games bust.

2/24 NHL Game Odds and Totals

Main Slate of Games – Beginning 7 p.m. ET

Washington Capitals (+105) at New York Rangers (-125) – 6 Projected Goal Total

Columbus Blue Jackets (+285) at Florida Panthers (-370) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Minnesota Wild (+135) at Toronto Maple Leafs (-155) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

New Jersey Devils (+260) at Pittsburgh Penguins (-330) – 6.5 Projected Goal Total

Dallas Stars (+130) at Nashville Predators (-150) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

Calgary Flames (-170) at Vancouver Canucks (+150) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

Boston Bruins (-230) at Seattle Kraken (+185) – 6 Projected Goal Total

New York Islanders (-120) at San Jose Sharks (+100) – 5.5 Projected Goal Total

2/24 NHL DraftKings Individual Rankings

Centers

1. Auston Matthews – Toronto – $9,300
2. Aleksander Barkov – Florida – $8,100
3. Sidney Crosby – Pittsburgh – $7,500
4. Elias Lindholm – Calgary – $6,900
5. Sam Bennett – Florida – $5,200

Wingers

1. Sam Reinhart – Florida – $5,000
2. David Pastrnak – Boston – $8,400
3. Jonathan Huberdeau – Florida – $7,200
4. Filip Forsberg – Nashville – $6,500
5. Patrik Laine – Columbus – $6,200

Defense

1. Aaron Ekblad – Florida – $6,800
2. Brandon Montour – Florida – $2,800
3. Roman Josi – Nashville – $7,500
4. Alexandre Carrier – Nashville – $3,500
5. Zach Werenski – Columbus – $6,900

Goalies

1. Ilya Sorokin – New York Islanders – $7,300
2. Jacob Markstrom – Calgary – $8,200

Cash Considerations

Auston Matthews, Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, David Pastrnak, Brandon Montour, Ilya Sorokin

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