Top NHL DFS Picks For January 31st
Build a winning NHL DFS lineup with top plays like Nathan MacKinnon and Filip Forsberg, plus budget-friendly picks for max value. Here’s who to target.
If you're looking to lock in a killer DFS lineup for tonight’s 4 game slate, these players offer a perfect mix of value and upside. Balancing a few high-priced stars with budget-friendly options means you maximize your fantasy point potential with the best NHL DFS picks.
Here's a breakdown of tonight's must-have players and why they belong in your lineup.
| Position | Name | Salary | Projected Fantasy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | Nathan MacKinnon | $9500 | 17.09 |
| C | Steven Stamkos | $6000 | 12.60 |
| W | Filip Forsberg | $8300 | 14.96 |
| W | Dylan Holloway | $5100 | 10.14 |
| W | Gustav Nyquist | $3200 | 8.69 |
| D | Brady Skjei | $3700 | 7.58 |
| D | Josh Manson | $2800 | 6.52 |
| G | Thatcher Demko | $7000 | 11.24 |
| UTIL | Josh Doan | $4000 | 9.32 |
Nathan MacKinnon — Colorado Avalanche — C
At $9500, Nathan MacKinnon comes with one of the highest price tags on the list, but he’s definitely worth every dollar.
He’s been on fire this season as he’s leading the league with 78 points spanning 19 goals and 59 assists in just 48 games. Over his last 5 games, MacKinnon has been a consistent threat even against some solid teams, averaging over 23 minutes of ice time and logging two multi-point games on his stat sheet.
His matchup against the St. Louis Blues is what is really nice. The Blues are struggling defensively, and MacKinnon thrives against weak defensive systems that he can exploit.
With his elite playmaking and scoring ability, a 17.09 fantasy point projection feels achievable considering he’s averaging 18.3 FP over his last 5 games.
We expect MacKinnon to deliver another dominant performance even with his higher salary.
Steven Stamkos — Nashville Predators — C
Priced at $6000, Steven Stamkos offers incredibly strong value for a player of his caliber.
While his 33 points across 17 goals and 16 assists in 49 games aren’t exactly eye-popping, he’s heating up with 12 points in January alone which includes 6 goals.
Stamkos has been a power-play force, and tonight’s matchup against Buffalo will undoubtedly allow him to take full advantage of the Sabres’ penalty-kill woes.
Buffalo allows plenty of high-danger scoring chances, and Stamkos’ shoot-first mentality puts him in a great spot to rack up some serious fantasy points.
With 12.6 projected fantasy points, Stamkos is a strong mid-range play with a solid upside for his moderate salary.
Filip Forsberg — Nashville Predators — W
Filip Forsberg is coming to the lineup at $8300 but he is a high-ceiling option for DFS lineups.
He’s been the Predators' most reliable offensive weapon this season and it’s easy to see why. He’s already racked up 18 goals and 31 assists on the season. Forsberg’s ability to produce both goals and helpers makes him an excellent play for any DFS lineup, especially in favorable matchups like tonight’s against the dismal Buffalo.
With 14.96 projected fantasy points, Forsberg's consistency (he’s already notched 49 points in 49 games) and high ice time (commanding a solid 18:49 per game) are some key factors to hone in on.
If you’re paying up at wing, Forsberg is a nice choice we wouldn’t pass up.
Dylan Holloway — St. Louis Blues — W
Looking for a budget-friendly winger? Dylan Holloway is your guy at just a meager $5100 salary.
The 23-year-old is having a breakout season with his 16 goals and 22 assists for 38 points. His recent form has also been impressive as he has notched 6 points in his last 5 games. Holloway also benefits from key power-play opportunities, which is a plus against a Colorado team that’s been looking somewhat undisciplined lately. On the PP1 line, he could easily find the back of the net or even get another helper.
Holloway’s 10.14 fantasy point projection is simply tremendous value for his salary. If you need a bit of cap relief, he’s the perfect choice to fill your lineup.
Gustav Nyquist — Nashville Predators — W
Gustav Nyquist might not be the flashiest name in the NHL, but at $3200, we think he’s a fantastic value pick.
He’s chipped in 9 goals and 11 assists this season and has seen increased usage in recent games. In January he’s seeing around 42 more seconds per game than his career average.
Nyquist is particularly appealing tonight because as we mentioned, Buffalo has struggled defensively, and Nyquist can capitalize on secondary opportunities created by Forsberg and Stamkos. It just looks like the perfect opportunity for some stacking.
With a 9.92 fantasy point projection, Nyquist is a sneaky play who can easily outperform his modest price tag.
Brady Skjei — Nashville Predators — D
At $3700, Brady Skjei is one of the most affordable defensemen who brings his own bit of offensive upside.
With 17 points on the season, Skjei has been active in joining the rush and firing shots on the net. He’s also seeing more and more power-play minutes, which we think could pay dividends against Buffalo’s below-average penalty kill.
His 7.58 projected fantasy points might not jump off the page, at least it didn’t to us, but his low salary allows you to spend up elsewhere while still getting a steady contributor to your NHL DFS lineup.
Josh Manson — Colorado Avalanche — D
If you’re looking to save even more on defense, you might even consider Josh Manson at just $2800.
Of course, he’s not a high scorer, with only 13 points this season, but his physical play and shot-blocking abilities give him a decent floor for DFS. Against the Blues, Manson just might see some increased minutes in a tight-checking game.
With a 6.52 fantasy point projection, Manson is a low-risk, high-reward option for those seeking cap flexibility. Going against the Blues, he might surprise us all with a blowout game.
Thatcher Demko — Vancouver Canucks — G
In goal, Thatcher Demko offers some serious upside for a $7000 netminder.
His 3.27 GAA and .877 save percentage aren’t what we’d call elite, but he’s coming off a stellar performance against the Stars, one of the best teams in the NHL, where he made 37 saves. Dallas is a dangerous opponent, but Demko’s ability to steal games makes him worth the gamble for tonight’s DFS picks.
His 11.24 fantasy point projection just goes to show his ability to deliver in high-shot-volume games. If Demko is on his game, he could really provide some excellent value at his salary.
Josh Doan — Utah Hockey Club — UTIL
Rounding out the lineup in the utility slot is Josh Doan at $4000.
The rookie winger has shown a few flashes of greatness with 5 points in 19 games which also includes 3 goals. He’s been more involved offensively in January, averaging over 14 minutes of ice time. As a rookie, there’s only upside to him.
Against the Blue Jackets, Doan could take advantage of a favorable matchup. His 9.32 fantasy point projection gives him a sneaky upside that we don’t typically see for a rookie, especially for a utility spot.
This is the Best NHL DFS Picks for Today
This lineup blends a few high-salary elite stars like MacKinnon and Forsberg with some of the more value-picks like Nyquist and Manson to help you stay under the salary cap while maxing out your point potential.
Whether you’re gunning for a big prize or just aiming to cash a few games, this lineup has all the tools to succeed tonight.
