Studs and Stacks – October 19
As the 2025–26 NHL season kicks off, daily fantasy hockey enthusiasts are gearing up for the action on DraftKings and FanDuel. In this article, we spotlight today’s top NHL DFS studs and stack recommendations, focusing on high-upside players and synergistic line combinations that can elevate your lineups. Whether you’re targeting cash games or GPPs, these picks are designed to maximize value and exposure. Let’s dive into the matchups and identify the key players to target.
FORWARDS
The Stud: David Pastrnak
Pasta continues to be elite even if (at least perception-wise) the Bruins’ offense is supposed to have taken a step back. He’s still got a great floor, and the matchup against Utah should be fairly decent. On the small slate, I like the floor/ceiling combo he’s got.
The Pivot: Nick Schmaltz
Out of all the Mammoth forwards, Schmaltz is the hottest: he’s coming off of a hat trick Friday night (his first three goals of the season) and he’s averaging four and a half shots per game while nabbing another four helpers through five games.
Sep 22, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Utah Mammoth center Nick Schmaltz (8) shoots on goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Low-Owned: Tyler Bertuzzi
Five points in six games while averaging three shots per game, and he’s part of the Blackhawks’ best line (L2).
The Value: Cutter Gauthier
It’s a small slate, but having a player who’s got three goals in four games while taking 22 shots is a great play either as a one-off or as part of a stack, and Anaheim’s got a great matchup today.
STACKS
The Full: ANA (McTavish-Sennecke-Gauthier)
The Ducks’s second line is a nice and fairly inexpensive stack, and they’re producing nearly as well as the top line, so it’s a good way to get a little different on this small slate while staying solid.
The Mini: CHI (Nazar-Teravainen)
Love this duo as a mini-stack as they’ve got good chemistry and production, and this game could be an offensive bonanza on both sides.
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