Welcome to the Fantasy Alarm NHL Playbook. This is your one-stop shop for everything DFS related for tonight’s 10-game slate. There are a handful of big matchups for some select offenses tonight so those will be the targets in daily fantasy of course. We have some very good matchups to cover, so let’s get into the action.

For the NHL Bets, we are going to start off very slowly. It’s a new year, and things around the league are going to be different. We don’t have stats yet to work with, so most recommendations are going to be educated guesses. Don’t blow your (bankroll) load in the first week of action. We got a whole year together, so let’s get to work and stick to half unit wagers. You can get every expect pick, including mine, right here.

Season Record: 8-7-0

Season Bankroll: -0.01 Units

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NHL Picks, Predictions & Best Bets Today, 10/18

 

Tampa Bay vs. Blue Jackets Prediction

One thing is for sure in this early NHL season, the Lightning are having issues on defense! Through 5 games they are allowing 3.6 goals per game and over 31 shots to opposing offenses and in addition to that they rank 10th in the NHL in expected goals against. They've only scored 14 goals through 5 games but a date with the Blue Jackets may help them break out of the slump. 

The Blue Jackets haven't played good defense is what seems like a decade and this season hasn't been much different with them allowing 3.25 goals per game and ranking 7th in expected goals against. The offense will get to play against Jonas Johansson who is straight booty though and that should push the goals total high enough to wager on the over today. 

Pick: Lightning & Blue Jackets Over 6.5 Goals (-105 on FanDuel)

Penguins vs. Sharks Prediction

Another game that figures to be higher scoring is this matchup between the Penguins and Sharks out in Silicon Valley. The Sharks defense is predictably one of the worst units in all of hockey so far this season giving up 22 goals over just 4 games. They are also allowing 38 shots per game so there are a lot of areas to pursue for this Penguins team.

The Pittsburgh offense as a whole deserves the first bet as they've scored 15 goals over 5 games and should be able to exploit the Sharks mistakes for their own gain. Not sure who the Sharks will be starting between the pipes but safe to say the Penguins team total of 3.5 goals is going to be a smash bet tonight. 

Pick: Penguins Team Total Over 3.5 Goals (-105 on DraftKings)

Other Best Bets/Props

  • Golden Knights Puck Line -1.5 (+105 on DraftKings)
  • Kyle Connor (WPG) Over 3.5 Shots On Goal (+135 on DraftKings)
  • Hurricanes Money Line (-140 on DraftKings)
 

 

Today's NHL DFS Cheat Sheet & Stacks

Goalie of The Day: Frederik Andersen - CAR

Not only is Carolina on a roll to start their season but they get to play a team tonight that is really struggling on offense and seems to lack chemistry and creativity! The Kings expected goals per 60 mins right now is just 2.71 which is the 4th lowest in the NHL and against Carolina and their staunch defense I just don't see a change coming today. Andersen has been good not great this season but he's in an awesome spot tonight. 

Player of The Day: Jack Eichel - VGK

Vegas on home ice the last few seasons just carries some weight to it and especially when they play a team that isn't all that good. The Flames are league average when it comes to expected goals against per game but their offense has no means of keeping possession. Vegas ranks 4th in Corsi For % right now at 55.23% so they will have a big leg up. Jack Eichel is on fire too with 5 goals in 5 games and the Flames allow the most DFS points per game to centers this season, easy pick here. 

Value Play of The Day: Rickard Rakell - PIT

The Penguins as a whole carry tremendous value tonight against the Sharks but Rakell is a cut above as he plays with Sidney Crosby and is on the Pittsburgh power play. At 5.6k his production is a steal as he has 4 points in 5 games along with 11 shots on goal. Sharks also allow the most DFS points per game to left wingers this NHL season. 

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

Stacks

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