NHL Building Blocks for October 15
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.
Mar 29, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) looks on against the New York Islanders during the first period at Amalie Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
CASH
Forward: Jack Eichel
Eichel has been piling up points early with 12 through seven games, including nine assists. The recent production is encouraging even though he was held off the scoresheet in Vegas’ last two games. Calgary has opened the season 0-5, and this is a good spot to go back to a high-volume offensive centerpiece. Eichel is playing a major role in Vegas’ attack, and I’m comfortable going back to him in cash against a team that has struggled to keep pucks out of its net.
Defense: Evan Bouchard
Bouchard has been on a tear, posting six goals early in the season and following up his three-point game against Anaheim with two assists against Los Angeles. He’s playing heavy minutes and remains a key piece of Edmonton’s power play, giving him several ways to get there even if he doesn’t score a goal. Utah has been competitive, so I’m not treating this as a cakewalk, but Bouchard’s offensive role and recent production make him one of my favorite cash defensemen.
Goalie: Carter Hart
Hart allowed three goals on 27 shots against Minnesota on Monday and Vegas lost 4-2, so the latest outing wasn’t ideal. For me, though, it doesn’t matter as the matchup against Calgary is appealing given the Flames’ winless start. Vegas is the stronger team in this matchup, and the win potential is there, so I don’t have an issue going to him here.
Jan 5, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) warms up prior to the game against the Los Angeles Kings at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
SINGLE ENTRY
Forward:Niikita Kucherov
Kucherov is the kind of player I’m willing to pay for in single-entry because he can produce through assists just as easily as goals. Tampa gets Seattle at home, and I like the opportunity for the Lightning’s top-end skill to drive the offense. The concern is whether the game gives Tampa enough sustained offensive-zone time, but Kucherov’s playmaking and power-play involvement give him a strong ceiling without requiring him to score himself. He’s a high-end option rather than a bargain play.
Defense: Quinn Hughes
Hughes has been a huge part of Minnesota’s offense, with 10 points (two goals and eight assists) through seven games while logging nearly 27 minutes a night. He’s recorded at least one point in every game so far, including two assists against Vegas and another helper against Winnipeg on Tuesday. I like the combination of workload, power-play involvement and consistent production.
Goalie: Jesper Wallstedt
Wallstedt has been solid to open the year, with four wins and a .933 save percentage through six appearances. He stopped 29 of 30 shots against Florida and followed that up with 21 saves in a win over Vegas. The St. Louis matchup is appealing, and Minnesota has given him a chance to build confidence with consistent starts. I like him in single-entry, though I’d verify the starter and keep in mind that his 23-save workload against Vegas shows his recent floor can depend on how much pressure the opponent generates.
Stack: Tampa Bay (Kucherov-Point-Carlson)
Florida’s top-end group has plenty of upside, and I like the idea of attacking a game where the Panthers can create offense through multiple playmakers. Sam Reinhart, Matthew Tkachuk, Brady Tkachuk and Sam Bennett are all listed together in Florida’s current forward groupings. This is an aggressive four-man stack, so you’ll need to make sure you mix and match; regardless, I like it for single-entry given the matchup against a bad Vancouver team (and Florida is close to a -300 favorite in this one as well).
Oct 26, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) celebrates with teammates on the bench after his goal tied the game against the Boston Bruins late in the third period at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-Imagn Images
LARGE FIELD
Forward: Auston Matthews
Matthews has the kind of multi-goal ceiling that can separate a large-field lineup, and his recent results show it: he had four points against Colorado and followed that up with two points against Utah. Buffalo is a divisional opponent, so I’m not expecting an effortless matchup, but Matthews’ shot volume and ability to turn a few chances into multiple goals make him worth targeting in tournaments. I prefer him as a ceiling play rather than a safe-floor anchor.
Defense: Adam Fox
Fox has been productive early with two assists against Tampa on Tuesday and a role that keeps him involved in the Rangers’ offensive attack. He’s also playing heavy minutes, which gives him opportunities to accumulate points and peripherals. New Jersey is a tougher divisional matchup and I’m not expecting Fox to be a free square at defense. That’s why I prefer him for large-field tournaments: he has the skill and workload to post a big score, but the matchup adds enough uncertainty that I’m not forcing him into every build.
Goalie: Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov is an interesting tournament option if he gets the start against Philadelphia. He blanked Montreal with 30 saves in his most recent appearance, giving him a shutout and a .974 save percentage across two appearances this season. That’s obviously a tiny sample, so I’m not treating those numbers as his new baseline. The appeal is the ceiling and potential differentiation at goalie as well as the matchup.
Stack: NJ (Hughes-Hischier-Bratt)
New Jersey has the offensive talent to put up a big number, and Jack Hughes is coming off a three-point performance against Detroit, including the overtime winner. Jesper Bratt added a goal and two assists in that game while Nico Hischier brings another scoring threat after recording a three-point outing against Vancouver. I like the upside here for large-field tournaments, especially if the Devils can get their top players rolling offensively. It’s an aggressive stack with multi-point potential across the group.
Unlock the Ultimate NHL DFS Edge!
Want access to the most advanced Daily Fantasy NHL content in the industry? Join DFS Army VIP and chat player picks and lineups with our DFS pros and a community of savvy players. Get exclusive projections, optimizer tools, and insider insights that give you the edge every slate.
Sign up today with promo code DARTH to grab 10% off your monthly membership. Don’t miss out — this is the best deal and the strongest DFS team you’ll find anywhere!
