NHL DFS Value Picks: 5-Game Slate Breakdown
Maximize your NHL DFS lineup with these top value picks for tonight’s 5-game slate. These underpriced players offer strong roles and solid projections to help you stay under budget and rack up points.
With a smaller 5-game slate tonight, finding value is going to be the key for your DFS lineups and the only way you’re going to take out the competition.
To max out the upside while staying under the cap, targeting underpriced players like these with strong roles or even recent momentum is crucial to grab the win in your DFS contest.
We’ve rounded up the top value plays for tonight's NHL action. Each of these players offers a bit of salary relief without sacrificing potential production for your lineup.
| Player | Team | Salary | Projected FP | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robertson | TOR | $2.5k | 6.7 | 2.68 |
| Domi | TOR | $2.6k | 6.8 | 2.62 |
| Perfetti | WPG | $3.6k | 9.1 | 2.53 |
| Tarasenko | DET | $3.2k | 7.9 | 2.47 |
| Luostarinen | FLA | $2.6k | 6.3 | 2.42 |
Nicholas Robertson, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Position: Left Wing
- Salary: $2,500
- Expected FP: 6.7
- Value: 2.68
At just $2.5k, Nicholas Robertson is as close to a free square as it gets for tonight's NHL slate.
Despite his extremely low salary, he’s producing a pretty solid shot volume (36 SOG in 16 games), which, as you probably know, always adds a fairly reliable floor in DFS.
Over his last game, Robertson notched a goal and an assist for 2 points against Buffalo (we get it, it’s Buffalo), playing just over 13 minutes.
The matchup against Dallas may not be as easy as it was against the Sabres, but Toronto’s offense can thrive even against the best competition in the league.
Robertson’s top-six upside, combined with his offensive role on a notable scoring line, makes him a bargain pick for the night. His 6.7-point projection gives him excellent value for a near-minimum price tag. Gobble up the big players and toss Robertson as a salary relief.
Max Domi, Toronto Maple Leafs
- Position: Center
- Salary: $2,600
- Expected FP: 6.8
- Value: 2.62
Max Domi’s salary sits at an affordable $2.6k. His recent production tells us that he can easily exceed that value tonight, even against the Stars.
Over the past 4 games, Domi has 4 points (1G, 3A), including a goal against Buffalo in their last game. He’s centering Toronto’s bottom-six line but overall he remains involved in many offensive situations, averaging just over 14 minutes of ice time. Basically, he’s efficient with his TOI.
Domi is projected for 6.8 DK FP, meaning he doesn’t need to do much to return the value on this DFS pick. Domi has also contributed to secondary scoring and even gives you some assist potential alongside capable wingers.
At his price point, Domi frees up tons of cap space for your studs while still contributing to your lineup’s total points. He won’t bum out, but we don’t think he’ll deliver Crosby-like numbers by any stretch.
Cole Perfetti, Winnipeg Jets
- Position: Center
- Salary: $3,600
- Expected FP: 9.1
- Value: 2.53
Cole Perfetti comes in at $3.6k and offers a good mix of upside and a bit of consistency.
The young forward has been in a groove as of late. He has scored 7 points (3G, 4A) over his last 7 games which just goes to show his consistency, which is something we love with value players.
Perfetti also plays meaningful minutes. Including his power-play time, he’s coming off a stretch where he’s recorded at least 1 point in 5 of his last 7 games.
Tonight, Winnipeg faces Anaheim — a team that unquestionably struggles defensively and allows plenty of opportunities for opposing centers. Even if he doesn’t notch a goal for his stat sheet tonight, he’ll at least be in the mix and rack up points in other areas.
Perfetti’s 9.1 fantasy point projection is the highest among today’s top values. That just goes to show this guy has quite a ceiling. At a reasonable mid-range salary, Perfetti can give you a tournament-winning upside you won’t find with anyone else.
Vladimir Tarasenko, Detroit Red Wings
- Position: Right Wing
- Salary: $3,200
- Expected FP: 7.9
- Value: 2.47
Vladimir Tarasenko at $3.2k feels like a steal given his track record as a veteran.
While his production has been somewhat inconsistent this season, which is very unlike him, Tarasenko remains a key part of Detroit’s offense. He’s still playing over 16 minutes per game on the top line with studs like Raymond and Larkin.
Over his last 4 games, he’s recorded 2 goals and 2 assists, showing a few glimpses of his scoring ability and old habits of finding the back of the net.
The Red Wings face Philadelphia tonight. The Flyers are a team that has struggled to contain opposing top lines at times. With the combination that Detroit is bringing, we’re confident Tarasenko will load up some FP.
Tarasenko’s 7.9-point projection makes him a strong mid-priced play for the night, especially for GPPs.
If he can capitalize on his scoring chances, which he just might, he could easily hit value and more.
Eetu Luostarinen, Florida Panthers
- Position: Center
- Salary: $2,600
- Expected FP: 6.3
- Value: 2.42
At just $2.6k, Eetu Luostarinen provides steady value for a bottom-6 forward for the reigning Stanley Cup champs.
While not as flashy as some of the others, Luostarinen has managed 3 goals and 9 assists this season, proving his ability to contribute offensively in several ways when given the opportunity.
He’s coming off a strong game against a dominant Edmonton, where he tallied an assist, a block, and 2 shots in over 17 minutes of ice time. If he can get even some of that tonight, he’ll easily exceed his cheap salary.
Tonight’s matchup against Minnesota gives Luostarinen a better chance to contribute in a close, hard-fought game.
His 6.3 fantasy point projection reflects his solid floor, which really comes from his ice minutes and ability to pick up points in multiple categories.
At his bargain-priced salary, he helps balance your lineup and fit higher-priced studs.
How These Players Add Up
Together, these value plays allow you to load up on studs like Auston Matthews or even Kirill Kaprizov, giving your lineup a combination of safe floors and decently high ceilings.
Take, for example, adding Nicholas Robertson, Max Domi, and Eetu Luostarinen to your lineup. That will cost you a combined $7.7k, freeing up over $10k per slot for your remaining players. That lets you get after some of the bigger names that consistently deliver FP.
The key to winning on tonight’s slate is finding cheap players who can outperform their lower price tags. With consistent roles and some solid ice time, these 5 position skaters check all the boxes.
