Welcome to another season of NHL DFS! For those of you who are new, thank you for being here! You won’t find a better community. If you’re returning, you already know the routine. Nothing has changed from last season, so get ready for another year of Best Bets, DFS recommendations, and the unpredictable nature of goalies.

Before we dive into the fun, I want to remind everyone that the start of the season is often very volatile. We’ll be using last season's data, and not everything will translate perfectly to the 2026-27 season. Be cautious with your bankroll in the first week of action. We have an entire year ahead of us, so let’s take it slow and build up to something great, like prom night. Keep units small so your wins can grow as the season progresses.

If you’re looking for wagers from everyone on the NHL team, you can find them here, on the NHL Bet Tracker.

Dominate your NHL DFS contests today with our DFS Playbook,  Player Projections, & Lineup Generator .

Follow me on Twitter @fuzzychris91

 

2026-27 Season Record: 8-7

2026-27 Season Bankroll: +1.25 Units

Follow me on Twitter @fuzzychris91

 

 🏒NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/17

 

🔥 St. Louis Blues vs Nashville Predators Prediction

I don't understand why Mason McTavish isn't getting the respect he deserves. The Blues forward has recorded more than three shots on goal in each of his last four games, yet many sportsbooks are still offering him at plus-money odds. He’s creating plenty of scoring opportunities, which has resulted in more shots on goal. The Predators tend to give up a lot of shots, particularly to center positions. Until the betting market adjusts, we should keep taking advantage of this opportunity and earn easy profits.

 

🔥 San Jose Sharks vs Detroit Red Wings Prediction

The San Jose Sharks are a young team still working on how to win hockey games consistently. Aside from Macklin Celebrini, their offence has been subpar, as shown by their goal totals. However, they have a chance to build momentum tonight.

The Detroit Red Wings are averaging over 31 shots per game but are only scoring 2.29 goals. This disparity stems from their lack of offensive depth. John Gibson is confirmed to start tonight, but he has struggled, posting a 1-3-1 record with an .863 save percentage. On the other hand, Alex Nedeljkovic has a .933 save percentage. While he has only played in two games, if he can deliver a solid performance, the Sharks could walk away with a road victory. We will take them straight up on the Money Line.

  • San Jose Money Line (+130 on DraftKings Sportsbook)

 

🏒Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks

 

🏅Goalie of the Day: Linus Ullmark - OTT

Linus Ullmark was outstanding for us on Thursday, and he continues to impress tonight. The Senators’ goalie has a perfect 6-0-0 record, with an impressive .949 save percentage. He faces the Philadelphia Flyers, a team still searching for their first win of the season and averaging just 1.22 goals per game. Ullmark is expected to be a popular choice in cash games, and if you're looking for a solid chance at a win, this matchup is as good as it gets.

🏅Honourable Mention: Ilya Sorokin - NYI

You won't often find Ilya Sorokin at a discount, so when you do, it's wise to take advantage. Although Toronto can score goals, their task becomes more challenging tonight with John Tavares out for a couple of weeks. This absence leaves a significant gap in their lineup. The Islanders typically struggle to score, so it may be difficult for Sorokin to deliver value without securing a win. However, his price is reasonable, and New York could grab a road win, especially given Sergei Bobrovsky's recent struggles.

🏅Skater of the Day: Macklin Celebrini - SJ

I want to see all of Macklin Celebrini’s action tonight! Although the kid has only scored eight points in five games, he has a chance to shoot against John Gibson, who we know has struggled to stop the puck. Celebrini will need to score a couple of points and take at least five shots on goal to live up to his value. If anyone can pull it off, it's him!

🏅Honourable Mention: Cole Caufield - MTL

No Saturday night is complete without Cole Caufield scoring. The Habs forward found the back of the net against the Sabres earlier this week, and he’s hoping to do it again tonight. While Buffalo doesn’t allow many shots, opposing teams have still managed to score. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has the seventh-worst Goals Saved Above Expected (xGSA) at -7.00 and is expected to be in goal for his team. Caufield should be able to create enough quality chances, which will hopefully lead to at least one puck finding the net.

🏅Value Play of the Day: Stephen Halliday - OTT

Most of you may not know who Stephen Halliday is, and that’s perfectly fine. I just learned about him a few minutes ago. The 24-year-old has played 38 career NHL games and has recorded only three points this season. So, why should we pay attention to him tonight? He is skating on the top line and is part of the top power-play unit, getting over 16 minutes of ice time against the Islanders. This significant playing time makes him a viable option in GPPs (Guaranteed Prize Pools). Could he disappoint? Absolutely, but at his current price, the risk is worth taking. He just needs to register one point to meet value.

🏅Top Stack of the Day: BOS PP1

The Boston Bruins currently have the fifth-best power play in the league, while the Kings rank last in penalty killing. This is a matchup that we should aim to take advantage of. The main focus should be on the top power-play unit, which includes David Pastrnak, Morgan Geekie, and Charlie McAvoy—a strong trio. However, if you're looking for less expensive options for the second unit, keep an eye on James Hagens, Fraser Minten, and JJ Peterka.

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Player Pool

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Stacks

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