NHL DFS & Fantasy Projections
NHL DFS Projections for DraftKings and FanDuel
Use the table above to compare NHL fantasy projections for every skater and goalie on the slate before you set a daily fantasy lineup. Each row combines a player's projected fantasy points, salary and value rating with matchup data, so you can see who is likely to deliver the most production for the price. Switch between DraftKings and FanDuel to see projections under each scoring format, and filter by forwards, defensemen or goalies to narrow the list quickly.
Projections work best as a starting point, not a final answer. Before you lock anything in, confirm each player's role on the NHL line combinations page and check who is in net on the NHL starting goalies page. For more hockey content, browse our full NHL coverage.
How to Read the NHL Player Projections
The table is split into player, game, opposing team and performance sections. Here is what each column tells you and why it matters when you build a lineup.
| Column | What It Shows | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Projected Points and Salary | Expected fantasy points for the selected site, next to the player's salary. | Sets the baseline for every pick and shows what a player costs against your cap. |
| Value | Projected fantasy points per $1,000 of salary. | Helps you find players who return more than their price suggests. |
| Team | The player's team and opponent for the slate. | Lets you group players by game when you plan stacks. |
| ML, O/U and TM TOT | Game environment indicators tied to the moneyline, game total and team total. | Team totals help identify expected scoring environments, while moneylines add context on win probability, particularly for goalies. |
| GA/G, SA/G and PK% | The opposing team's goals allowed per game, shots allowed per game and penalty kill rate. | Helps assess the opponent's defensive matchup and penalty-killing effectiveness. Power-play opportunity also depends on how often the opponent takes penalties. |
| PTS/G and TOI | Points per game (goals plus assists) and time on ice. | Ice time is one of the clearest signs of opportunity for any skater. |
| SH% and PPP | Shooting percentage and power-play points (goals plus assists on the power play). | Adds context on scoring efficiency and power-play output. Assess them alongside shot volume, ice time and power-play deployment. |
| Floor L10 and Ceil L10 | A player's recent floor and ceiling fantasy outcomes, based on the last 10 games. | Gives historical context on how steady or volatile a player has been. It does not guarantee the next game. |
| Colors | A toggle that shades the cells from favorable to unfavorable. | Makes strong and weak spots easy to spot at a glance. |
What Drives an NHL Fantasy Projection
NHL fantasy projections commonly consider player opportunity, recent performance and matchup. Useful factors to review alongside a projection include:
- Role and ice time: Top-line deployment and first-unit power-play time can increase scoring opportunity, but actual usage varies by player and team.
- Shots and blocks: Shots on goal and blocked shots both earn fantasy points on DraftKings and FanDuel, so players who log them regularly can score without finding the net.
- Game environment: Team totals point to expected scoring environments, and moneylines add win-probability context.
- Opponent quality: Teams that allow plenty of shots or goals can lift the outlook for the skaters facing them.
- Goalie performance: For netminders, win probability, expected saves and goals allowed shape the projection.
To see how teams stack up before you dig into individual players, check the NHL offense rankings and the NHL defense rankings.
How to Use NHL DFS Projections to Build a Lineup
One possible routine for each slate:
- Check the starting goalies. Confirm who is starting, then compare goalie projections against the opponent's shot volume and scoring.
- Sort by value. Rank skaters by value to find players whose projections are high relative to salary, keeping in mind that value is only as reliable as the projection behind it.
- Check the matchup columns. Look for opponents that allow plenty of shots or goals, and consider weaker penalty kills when evaluating power-play skaters.
- Match floor and ceiling to the contest. Recent floors and ceilings are historical context, not a guarantee. Steadier floors may suit head-to-head and 50/50 style contests, while high ceilings fit large tournaments.
- Build around lines. Linemates and power-play partners can score together, so stacking them can raise upside through correlation, but it also concentrates risk.
Daily fantasy contests should be treated as entertainment, so set an entry budget you are comfortable with before the slate starts. Availability and age rules vary by state, and you can compare platforms on our DFS sites page.
DraftKings vs. FanDuel NHL Projections
The same player can project differently on DraftKings and FanDuel because scoring weights, salaries and roster requirements differ. Both platforms award points for shots on goal and blocked shots. DraftKings also offers bonuses for reaching shot and block thresholds, while goals and assists carry more weight relative to those categories on FanDuel. Select the platform you plan to use and review the rules for your specific contest.
NHL DFS Projections FAQ
NHL DFS projections are estimates of how many fantasy points each player is expected to score in a given game. They are based on factors such as ice time, role, shot volume and matchup, and they are shown alongside salary so you can judge value.
No. Hockey has a lot of variance, and a single goal or a goalie injury can change a night. Projections show expected output, not certain results, so use them to compare options rather than to predict exact scores.
Value is a player’s projected fantasy points divided by salary in thousands. A higher number means more expected production for each $1,000 spent.
Each platform uses different scoring weights and salaries. Both reward shots on goal and blocked shots, but DraftKings adds threshold bonuses, while FanDuel places greater relative weight on goals and assists.
Confirm line assignments, power-play units, injuries and the starting goalies close to lock. Late news can change a player’s role and make an earlier projection outdated.
The table is built for daily fantasy slates, so it focuses on single-game matchups and salaries. You can still use the matchup, ice time and recent floor and ceiling data as extra context for lineup decisions in season-long leagues.