Welcome to another season of NHL DFS! We have a loaded 12-game slate featuring Connor McDavid, Macklin Celebrini, Kirill Kaprizov, and many more elite names. We can’t play them all, so we will need to make choices. That’s where the FA team comes in!

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: 8-9
  • 2026-27 Season Bankroll: -0.38 Units

 🏒NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/22

🔥 Los Angeles Kings vs New York Islanders Prediction

The LA Kings win one game, and suddenly they’re favoured on the road? Did they really become a good team overnight? Am I missing something? While the Islanders aren’t an elite hockey team, they are solid defensively, and their goaltending has been reliable. The Kings struggle with a poor penalty kill and don’t shoot the puck enough. I’m not sure why the Islanders are considered underdogs, but we’ll take advantage of this free value and move on.

🔥 Florida Panthers vs Pittsburgh Penguins Prediction

The Florida Panthers are playing their second game in consecutive nights and are turning to a rookie goalie. Cooper Black is making his first career NHL start, and I'm uncertain if we can trust him. While he hasn't performed poorly in the AHL, facing Sidney Crosby and the Penguins in his debut game is a real challenge. The Penguins have lost four straight games and have shown little effort in keeping the puck out of their net. Both teams possess enough offensive talent to make this a high-scoring match, so I’ll bet on the Over and hope neither goalie decides to channel their inner Martin Brodeur.

 

 

 

🏒Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks

🏅Goalie of the Day: Jesper Wallstedt - MIN

Targeting a goalie facing the Calgary Flames is always a wise strategy. Although the Flames average nearly 30 shots per game, they struggle to convert those opportunities into goals. Their offensive performance is mediocre at best, and their goaltending has been subpar. Since Wallstedt isn't the most expensive goalie on the slate, it feels like a good deal to select him.

🏅Honourable Mention: Semyon Varlamov - NYI

We won't have the pleasure of starting Ilya Sorokin tonight, but Semyon Varlamov is a solid alternative. As mentioned earlier, the Kings are struggling this season, so there's no reason to favour them. Varlamov is still looking for his first win of the season, but he's performed well in the two games he's started. His price is reasonable, making him a viable option in all formats.

🏅Skater of the Day: Connor McDavid - EDM

I’ve been sitting here for five minutes trying to find a reason to fade Connor McDavid, and I just can’t. The best player in the world already has 26 points this season, with 13 of those coming in just the last four games. While I’d prefer to avoid the chalk, it’s hard to do so in cash games. Even in a tough matchup, McDavid is talented enough to reach value.

🏅Honourable Mention: Alex DeBrincat - DET

It’s hard to overlook Alex DeBrincat when he faces the Vancouver Canucks, a team that allows nearly five goals per game. While the Red Wings aren’t considered an elite offence, they would be significantly weaker without DeBrincat. He plays a vital role in driving their attack, and he should easily meet his performance expectations in this matchup.

🏅Value Play of the Day: Arseny Gritsyuk - NJ

The Devils currently lead the league in average shots per game and will face Ville Husso and the Anaheim Ducks. Arseny Gritsyuk has scored in his last three games and has accumulated six points this season. He plays on the top line and has a strong shot. Although his ice time has varied, at $3,300 on DraftKings, he doesn't need to do much to provide good value.

🏅Top Stack of the Day: MIN L1

The Minnesota Wild have been relying heavily on their top line, and this trio has exceeded expectations. Kirill Kaprizov, Matt Boldy, and Joel Eriksson Ek boast a 72% expected goals (xGoal) percentage this season, and they reached an impressive 80% in their most recent game. When these three players are on the ice, they consistently generate offence. The Flames will struggle to contain this formidable trio. Although they come with a high price tag, they're worth the investment.

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Now that you’re locked and loaded with some prime targets for your fantasy lineups, here’s the ultimate way to enjoy the NHL best bets today, which started off with a guaranteed Novig promo code bonus:

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Player Pool

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