Welcome to another season of NHL DFS! We have a small 3-game slate featuring names like Connor McDavid, Auston Matthews, and Alex DeBrincat. Building your lineup around McDavid does take some skill. We can’t fade him, so let’s dive into the slate and see who we can pair alongside him.
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.
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- 2026-27 Season Record: 9-12
- 2026-27 Season Bankroll: -1.98 Units
🏒NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/26
🔥 Detroit Red Wings vs Edmonton Oilers Prediction
The Edmonton Oilers are coming off a rare home loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The offense struggled to deliver, and unfortunately, the goaltending did not meet expectations either. Overall, it wasn’t a strong performance, so we can anticipate a much better effort tonight.
The Detroit Red Wings have below-average goaltending and an even worse penalty kill. This means the Oilers should get plenty of power-play opportunities and convert them. We can expect a high-scoring game from the Oilers, so we’ll take them to cover the team total.
- Oilers Team Total OVER 3.5 Goals (-135 on DraftKings Sportsbook)
🔥 Toronto Maple Leafs vs Calgary Flames Prediction
Don’t look now, but the Calgary Flames have won three consecutive games, and much of their success can be attributed to Devin Cooley. We’re not sure if his streak is due to his pet bunny, his pre-game diet, or perhaps a carefree attitude, but whatever the reason, we hope he keeps it up.
On the other hand, the Toronto Maple Leafs have won four in a row by consistently finding the back of the net, though their goaltending remains a concern. Sergei Bobrovsky is confirmed to start, but his performance this season has been disappointing. The Flames are undervalued in this matchup, so we're taking the chance and hoping they can secure another win at home.
- Calgary Flames Money Line (+120 on Pinnacle)
🏒Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks
🏅Goalie of the Day: Tristan Jarry - EDM
Tonight's goalie options are the worst I've ever seen. If you're looking to secure a win, you might as well go with Tristan Jarry, who is likely to start. I dislike his price tag, but his matchup looks above average on paper. We just need him to keep the goals against under three and help us secure the victory. Please don't let us down, Tristan!
🏅Honourable Mention: Darcy Kuemper - LA
Darcy Kuemper may not be regarded as a top-tier goalie, but he has secured victories in his last two starts and is facing a considerable number of shots. His price tag is particularly appealing; at $7,200 on DraftKings, he offers significant value. Meanwhile, the Rangers are turning to James Reimer, who many assumed had retired, highlighting the precarious state of the Rangers' goaltending situation. We shouldn't expect a high-scoring game, which means Kuemper has a chance to deliver value even without securing a win.
🏅Skater of the Day: Connor McDavid - EDM
I know it may seem repetitive to see Connor McDavid in this section again, but it would be unwise to fade him against a team with a penalty kill efficiency of just 65.8%. While he does need to record multiple points to meet his value, that hasn't been a challenge for the best player in the world. I’m going with the popular choice and moving forward.
🏅Honourable Mention: Artemi Panarin - LAK
Guess who’s back in New York for the first time since being traded! Artemi Panarin is back in town, and given how last season unfolded, you can bet he’s entering this matchup with a chip on his shoulder. He also has the chance to shoot at James Reimer, who has struggled with stopping pucks. Panarin is an affordable option and can definitely be utilized effectively.
🏅Value Play of the Day: Joel Farabee - CGY
Watch Joel Farabee, who is averaging a point per game this season and has recorded seven points in his last five outings. He’s bringing much-needed stability to a team that is in dire need of offense. Farabee has an excellent matchup against a Toronto team that allows 30 shots on goal and is backed by a below-average goalie. He doesn’t need to do much to reach his value.
🏅Top Stack of the Day: EDM PP1
Do I really need to explain this one? Just pick three Edmonton skaters on the power play and stack them. Use the time saved to hang out with the kids or tell your wife that the parlay you built is going to hit; you can feel it.
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Player Pool
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