FREE 05/09 NHL Cheat Sheet: Top DFS Plays

It’s a short but intriguing 2-game NHL DFS slate tonight, starting with the Maple Leafs visiting the Panthers (7:00 PM ET). This matchup carries a 6.0 total, and both teams have plenty of offensive firepower to make it a key focus for stacking. Joseph Woll will start for Toronto against Sergei Bobrovsky for Florida, giving the Panthers a slight edge in net. Expect plenty of ownership on players like Auston Matthews and Matthew Tkachuk, as this game has the potential to be the higher-scoring contest of the night.

The later game features Dallas taking on Winnipeg (9:30 PM ET) in what could be more of a defensive battle with its 5.5 total. Jake Oettinger and Connor Hellebuyck are two of the league’s top goaltenders, which might limit offensive upside here. That said, both teams have concentrated scoring lines worth targeting in GPPs, especially if you’re looking to pivot off chalk from the earlier game. With only two games on the slate, finding the right mix of chalk and contrarian plays will be critical tonight.

Top Stacks

FLA PP1 ($20,100)

Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov

The FLA PP1 stack consisting of Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk, and Aleksander Barkov presents a solid projected value at 1.83 points per $1000 of salary, indicating efficient scoring potential relative to cost. With a total salary of $20,100, the stack occupies a significant portion of the lineup budget but delivers above-average point production efficiency. Ownership is moderately high at 28.6%, reflecting notable popularity among DFS players, while the optimal lineup inclusion rate sits slightly lower at 26.0%, suggesting it is selected in just over a quarter of lineups considered ideal by projection models. Overall, this stack combines strong value with substantial usage in both public and optimal builds based on the available data.

TOR PP1 ($22,500)

Auston Matthews, William Nylander, Mitch Marner

The TOR PP1 stack featuring Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner carries a total salary of $22,500 with a projected value of 1.62 points per $1000, indicating strong efficiency relative to cost. The average ownership sits at 19.3%, suggesting moderate popularity among DFS players, while the optimal lineup rate is slightly higher at 22.8%, reflecting its frequent inclusion in top-performing lineups. This data positions the stack as a high-value option with balanced exposure in the player pool and consistent representation in optimal builds.

DAL PP1 ($18,000)

Mikko Rantanen, Thomas Harley, Roope Hintz

The DAL PP1 stack featuring Mikko Rantanen, Thomas Harley, and Roope Hintz offers a solid projected value of 1.74 points per $1000, indicating efficient point production relative to salary. With a total salary of $18,000, this stack balances cost and output effectively within the slate. The average ownership sits at 24.3%, reflecting moderate popularity among players, while the optimal lineup inclusion rate is slightly lower at 21.5%, suggesting that while commonly selected, it is not overwhelmingly favored in top-line builds. Overall, this stack presents a competitive value proposition with balanced usage across player pools.

C Plays

Top Play: Auston Matthews ($9,000)

Auston Matthews offers solid value at $9,000 against Florida, especially given his role on Toronto’s top power play unit. He’s consistently generating shots and chances, with 21 shots through six games in the first round and strong production in key moments. The Panthers have a middle-of-the-pack penalty kill but have struggled to contain elite centers, which suits Matthews’ skill set well.

Ownership sits around 25%, which is reasonable for a player of his caliber and salary. His presence in over a third of optimal lineups signals confidence from models, reflecting his combination of floor and upside. This isn’t a chalk play but also not low-owned leverage—Matthews fits nicely as a core GPP option where you want exposure to top-tier talent without overspending.

Honorable Mentions

• Aleksander Barkov ($6,200)
• Sam Bennett ($5,900)

W Plays

Top Play: Carter Verhaeghe ($5,700)

Carter Verhaeghe offers strong value at $5,700 against Toronto, a team that has struggled to contain versatile wingers this season. His role on Florida’s top line and power play unit gives him consistent scoring opportunities, and his 2.0x value reflects that upside. Verhaeghe’s recent playoff performance shows he can contribute across the board with shots, hits, and occasional goals, which supports a solid floor in tournaments.

The ownership around 29% is high but justified given his role and pricing relative to other options. This level of chalk makes sense since he appears in over 30% of optimal lineups and provides a reliable combo of volume and scoring potential. While the matchup isn’t elite, the Panthers have an edge in puck possession that should lead to chances for Verhaeghe to produce value in this contest.

Honorable Mentions

• Sam Reinhart ($6,700)
• Kyle Connor ($7,300)

D Plays

Top Play: Seth Jones ($4,800)

Seth Jones offers strong value at $4,800 against Toronto, a team that typically allows moderate shot volume from the blue line. His 2.1x value and top-tier tournament rank reflect his consistent contributions on both ends of the ice. Jones has seen steady usage in a top-four role and provides upside through shots, blocks, and occasional points. The Panthers’ game script could favor defensemen opportunities given their balanced roster and potential for controlled play.

Jones is projected for 27% ownership, which aligns with his profile as a reliable DFS option rather than an outright chalk play. This level of ownership makes him a solid pivot off more expensive defensemen while maintaining upside in tournaments. Considering his recent playoff form and potential increased responsibility if Ekblad faces discipline, Jones remains a balanced choice with a safe floor and enough ceiling to pay off his salary.

Honorable Mentions

• Thomas Harley ($5,200)
• Josh Morrissey ($5,600)

G Plays

Top Play: Connor Hellebuyck ($7,800)

Connor Hellebuyck presents solid value at $7,800 against Dallas, especially considering his 1.59x value and top tournament rank. The Stars managed to score three times in a short stretch last game, but Hellebuyck still stopped 21 of 24 shots overall, showing he can handle volume even in a tough matchup. Winnipeg’s defense will need to tighten up, but Hellebuyck’s floor is supported by steady shot volume and his ability to rack up saves in playoff intensity.

His ownership sits at a moderate 20.3%, which aligns well with his profile as a reliable goalie in a challenging spot. With the Jets playing at home and needing to rebound after Game 1, there’s upside if Dallas struggles to find consistent chances again. The price isn’t cheap, but the combination of solid baseline production and potential for save bonuses makes him an attractive GPP option with reasonable leverage.

Honorable Mentions

• Jake Oettinger ($7,600)
• Joseph Woll ($7,200)

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