NHL Building Blocks for October 17
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.
Oct 14, 2025; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars left wing Jason Robertson (21) skates during the game between the Dallas Stars and the Minnesota Wild at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
CASH
Forward: Jack Eichel
Eichel is coming off a monster performance against Calgary, finishing with a shorthanded goal and two assists in Vegas’ 6-2 win. He now has 13 points through eight games, and the recent production gives him a strong case as a cash anchor. Pittsburgh is a more competitive opponent than Calgary, but Eichel’s role in the Vegas offense and ability to contribute in multiple ways make him difficult to pass up.
Defense: Evan Bouchard
Bouchard has been ridiculous to start the season, with 14 points through six games and a role that puts him on the ice for virtually every important offensive opportunity. He’s averaging more than 25 minutes per game and is producing at an elite rate from the blue line. Utah is a tougher matchup than some of Edmonton’s recent opponents, but Bouchard’s power-play involvement and ability to pile up assists give him an excellent floor for cash.
Goalie: Linus Ullmark
Ullmark has been one of the league’s most effective goalies early, sitting among the NHL leaders with a 1.27 goals-against average. He made 20 saves in Ottawa’s shootout win over the Islanders on Thursday, and Philadelphia’s struggles make this an appealing spot for the Senators netminder. The Flyers have had trouble turning their chances into wins, giving Ullmark a path to both a strong save total and the victory bonus.
Oct 19, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) skates against Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (77) in the third period at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images
SINGLE ENTRY
Forward: Connor McDavid
McDavid has been nearly unstoppable, piling up 17 points in Edmonton’s first six games. He just put together a four-point night against Los Angeles, scoring once and assisting on three others, and he’s now riding a six-game point streak to open the season. Utah is a more challenging opponent than the winless Kings, but McDavid’s ceiling is as high as anyone’s on the slate. I’m comfortable building around him in single-entry, even if his salary forces some compromises elsewhere.
Defense: Lane Hutson
Hutson has been a steady source of offense from the blue line, recording eight points through the first several games while taking on a major role in Montreal’s attack. His value comes from his ability to create chances and rack up assists, rather than relying on goals to make his night. Buffalo can make this competitive, but Hutson’s puck-moving ability and offensive responsibility give him a strong path to another productive outing. He’s a good single-entry option if you want a defenseman with real multi-point upside.
Goalie: Carter Hart
Hart is coming off a solid outing against Calgary, stopping 28 shots in Vegas’ 6-2 victory. The win was encouraging, and he’s now part of a Vegas team that has won six of its last seven games. Pittsburgh presents a more difficult test, but the Golden Knights should give him a reasonable chance to earn another win. I like Hart for single-entry because he combines a strong team environment with the potential to make enough saves to deliver a useful fantasy score.
Stack: DAL (Robertson-Rantanen-Hintz)
Dallas has the offensive talent to put up a big number, and this trio gives you several ways to capture the scoring if the Stars get rolling against Chicago. Rantanen has led the team’s early production while Robertson and Hintz offer finishing ability and multi-point upside. The Stars have been inconsistent offensively, so I’m not treating this as a safe stack, but Chicago’s recent defensive issues give Dallas room to produce. For single-entry, I like the concentration of high-end talent without needing to stack the entire top line.
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 12 points through eight games and has been involved in Toronto’s offense consistently, including scoring in Thursday’s overtime loss to Buffalo. He’s a strong tournament target because his goal-scoring ability gives him a path to a slate-changing performance, especially if Toronto’s offense converts more of its chances. The Maple Leafs did surrender five goals to Buffalo, so this game could turn into another high-scoring affair. I like Matthews’ ceiling in large fields, where a multi-goal night can make a real difference.
Defense: Mikhail Sergachev
Sergachev has produced nine points early in the season, putting him among the league’s more productive defensemen. He’s an appealing tournament option because he can contribute through assists, power-play production and shots, with enough offensive involvement to deliver a big score when Utah gets going. Edmonton is a challenging opponent, particularly with McDavid and the Oilers producing at an elite rate, but that could also create a game with plenty of scoring chances on both sides. I like Sergachev as a high-upside play rather than a safe-floor defenseman.
Goalie: Jake Oettinger
Oettinger has been excellent to open the season, with a 1.20 goals-against average that puts him among the league leaders. He’s a strong goalie in his own right, and the matchup against Chicago offers a chance to turn that early form into another win. The Blackhawks have shown they can generate offense, so there’s some risk here, but Oettinger has the talent to handle a decent workload and deliver a tournament-winning score if Dallas controls the game.
Stack: TOR (Matthews-Nylander-Marchenko)
Toronto’s offense has shown plenty of potential, and this stack gets especially interesting after the team’s wild 5-4 overtime loss to Buffalo. Matthews scored, while Marchenko erupted for a hat trick, giving the group some immediate scoring momentum. Nylander adds another high-end offensive threat, making this a stack with the potential to generate points across multiple players. The concern is that Toronto’s defense has been giving up too many goals, but for large-field tournaments, I’m happy to target a game that could produce another shootout.
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