NHL Building Blocks for October 13
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.
Nov 14, 2024; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger (29) makes a save on a shot by the Boston Bruins during the third period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
CASH
Forward: Connor McDavid
McDavid is off to another ridiculous start with 13 points (three goals and 10 assists) through five games, and he’s coming off a 24-minute outing against San Jose where he added another assist. He also had a goal and two assists in Edmonton’s 5-2 win over Anaheim, so the production isn’t coming from one big outlier. I like the matchup against Los Angeles, especially with the Oilers riding a four-game winning streak and scoring 25 goals through five games. The Kings are at home, so this isn’t a completely free spot, but McDavid’s role and early-season production make him a strong cash option. The salary will be substantial, so I’d make sure the rest of the lineup has enough stability rather than forcing in too many cheap plays just to fit him.
Defense: Evan Bouchard
Bouchard has been on an absolute tear to open the season with six goals and six assists through five games. He’s coming off a three-point performance against Anaheim and has already put up 17 shots, so this isn’t just a case of getting lucky with assists. He’s averaging nearly 25 minutes of ice time per game and remains a major part of Edmonton’s offense, which makes him especially appealing alongside Connor McDavid in a matchup against Los Angeles. The Kings have won two of their last three, but Edmonton has scored 25 goals in five games and is riding a four-game winning streak.
Goalie: Ilya Sorokin
Sorokin should be popular against Vancouver, which has been struggling badly in net. The Canucks have allowed five goals per game and more than 30 shots per contest. Sorokin, meanwhile, has a 1.77 goals-against average and .937 save percentage through four decisions. That’s a significant contrast, and it gives the Islanders a good opportunity to control the game. The one thing keeping me from treating Sorokin as an automatic play is Vancouver’s ability to score—its 3.43 goals per game is respectable despite the poor record. Still, I like Sorokin’s form and the matchup enough to consider him here.
Oct 23, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby (87) looks ok against the Florida Panthers during the first period at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
SINGLE ENTRY
Forward: Sidney Crosby
Crosby has yet to score a goal in regulation through six games, so we’re definitely buying low here. He’s coming off a quiet game against Dallas with just one shot, and his recent shot volume hasn’t been where we’d like it for a cash play. Still, I like the matchup against Chicago, which has struggled defensively and entered the slate with a 1-5 record. Crosby has the talent to break out of this early slump, and a multi-point game is still within his range of outcomes if Pittsburgh can take advantage of Chicago’s defensive issues. He’s a little riskier than I’d normally want for single-entry, but I like the bounce-back potential if his salary reflects the slow start.
Defense: Cale Makar
Makar has been producing at his usual level, notching seven points (three goals and four assists) through five games, including two goals and an assist in Colorado’s 7-3 win over Calgary. He’s averaging more than 21 minutes per game and remains one of the best defensemen in fantasy because he can put up a big score through goals, assists, and shots. Dallas is a tougher matchup than Calgary, though, and Jake Oettinger has been excellent early, with a .963 save percentage in the stats available before this game. I’m still comfortable using Makar in single-entry because his offensive role is difficult to ignore, but I wouldn’t treat this as an easy matchup or force him in at any price.
Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy is an interesting single-entry option, but there is some history to account for here. Tampa Bay lost 5-1 to the Rangers in the season opener, with Vasilevskiy allowing four goals on 24 shots. He has looked better in his other starts, and New York’s early scoring rate isn’t especially intimidating, but his current .898 save percentage leaves some room for concern. I like the possibility of a bounce-back performance, particularly if Tampa can control more of the game this time around. Still, this isn’t a goalie I’d label safe based on recent form alone. I’d want to confirm he’s starting and make sure his salary doesn’t require us to overlook better options.
Stack: Tampa Bay (Kucherov-Point-Carlson)
Tampa Bay gets a rematch with the Rangers after losing 5-1 in the season opener, and I like the opportunity to target the Lightning if their offense can respond. Nikita Kucherov scored Tampa’s lone goal in that first meeting, and he remains the kind of playmaker who can turn a couple of good chances into a multi-point night. The Lightning are averaging 2.67 goals per game in the current matchup data, so this hasn’t been an explosive offense yet, but they have enough high-end talent to produce a much better result. The attractiveness goes up with Shesty being out for the season and unavailable to reign in this high-upside offense.
May 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (88) carries the puck against the Florida Panthers during the second period of the second round of the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
LARGE FIELD
Forward: William Nylander
Nylander is coming off a five-point game against Colorado with two goals and three assists, and he now has 11 points through six games. That kind of ceiling is exactly what I want access to in a large-field tournament, even though I wouldn’t expect him to keep producing at that pace. Utah is a tougher matchup than the box score from his last game might make it seem, especially after the Mammoth beat Buffalo 4-1. That’s why I prefer Nylander as a tournament play rather than a cash priority. If Toronto’s offense gets going again, he has the ability to be at the center of it.
Defense: Miro Heiskanen
Heiskanen is a good GPP option if you want exposure to the Colorado–Dallas game without spending all the way up for Makar. Colorado has been scoring at an incredible rate early with 23 goals in four games, but Dallas has allowed just six goals in its first four. That makes this an interesting matchup rather than an automatic stack spot: the Avalanche can push the pace, while the Stars have shown they can limit opponents’ scoring. I like Heiskanen because he gives us a way into the game through a defenseman who can contribute on both ends of the ice. I’d still check his salary against the other top defensemen before committing, since this is more about his role and roster fit than a particularly soft matchup.
Goalie: Jake Oettinger
Oettinger is the goalie I’d look at for a large-field option, even with Colorado on the other side. He’s been outstanding to open the season, allowing just three goals on 82 shots over his last four appearances with a .963 save percentage and two shutouts. He also stopped 20 shots against Pittsburgh on Saturday, although Dallas ultimately lost 2-1 in a shootout. Colorado has the offensive firepower to make this a difficult matchup, but that’s also why I like Oettinger’s save upside more here than I would against a team that barely tests the goalie. I’m not expecting another shutout, and the win isn’t guaranteed against an Avalanche team that can score in bunches. I’m comfortable using him here because his recent form gives him a strong foundation even in a tougher spot, which may take the field off of him.
Stack: BOS (Pastrnak-Peterka-Lindholm-McAvoy)
Boston is worth a look as a large-field stack against San Jose. The Bruins have scored 20 goals through six games, including five in their most recent win over Philadelphia and six against Utah earlier in the week. That gives them a credible scoring ceiling, and I like the opportunity to target a team that can spread production across its top offensive options. San Jose has been competitive early, so I’m not treating this as a free matchup, but that could help keep Boston from becoming the obvious stack everyone wants. I’d rather use the Bruins as a tournament option than force them into cash lineups, especially if the other high-end scoring spots on the slate attract more attention.
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