NHL Building Blocks for October 19
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.
Feb 27, 2026; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;Utah Mammoth right wing Clayton Keller (9) celebrates scoring a goal against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at Delta Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
CASH
Forward: Nathan MacKinnon
MacKinnon is coming off a monster four-point night against Pittsburgh, scoring once and adding three assists while firing nine shots on goal. He now has 16 points through eight games, and Colorado continues to give him every opportunity to drive the offense. Philadelphia is a favorable spot to keep riding him, and I like his combination of shot volume, power-play production and multi-point upside for cash.
Defense: Cale Makar
Makar returned Friday and immediately made an impact, recording two assists in Colorado’s 5-2 win over Pittsburgh. Even after missing a couple of games, his offensive role remains one of the most valuable among defensemen, with the ability to rack up points without needing to score a goal himself. Philadelphia is a matchup I’m definitely comfortable targeting, and I like pairing Makar with MacKinnon when investing in Colorado’s high-powered offense.
Goalie: Mackenzie Blackwood
Sensing a theme here? Blackwood has bounced back nicely from a rough outing against Toronto, allowing two goals in each of his last two starts while making 24 saves against Dallas and 29 against Pittsburgh. Colorado’s offense AND the matchup gives him a strong chance at the win bonus. His season-long numbers aren’t spotless, but the recent improvement and team context make him my preferred cash goalie here.
Oct 1, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during the second period against the Utah Hockey Club at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
SINGLE ENTRY
Forward: Macklin Celebrini
Celebrini just delivered another three-point performance against Detroit, scoring once and assisting on two more goals while firing seven shots in nearly 27 minutes. That’s an enormous workload, and it shows how much of San Jose’s offense runs through him. The Sharks have lost three of their last four, but Celebrini’s individual production has held up. Against a Toronto team that has allowed at least three goals in seven straight games, I like his ability to deliver even if San Jose doesn’t win.
Defense: Adam Fox
Fox is an appealing way to get exposure to the Rangers’ offense against Anaheim. His value comes from his ability to quarterback possessions, create chances and contribute on the power play, giving him several paths to a strong fantasy outing. New York’s recent results have been disappointing, including a 7-1 loss to New Jersey, but Fox’s role gives him a chance to bounce back even if the Rangers aren’t completely dominant. I’m comfortable with him in single-entry for the workload and offensive upside.
Goalie: Karel Vejmelka
Vejmelka has already shown he can deliver wins this season, including a 22-save performance against Toronto earlier in the week. The concern is his most recent outing: Edmonton chased him after he allowed five goals on 17 shots in a 6-2 loss. Pittsburgh is a more manageable matchup on paper, especially after the Penguins have struggled to string together wins, but Vejmelka needs a response after that rough start. I still see the upside for single-entry, though he’s not as comfortable a play as the Colorado goalie options.
Stack: TOR (Matthews-Nylander-Roslovic)
Toronto has enough scoring talent to make this stack work, particularly with Matthews and Nylander leading the way. Nylander has been productive early, with 11 points through six games, and Matthews remains a threat to break a slate with multiple goals. The Maple Leafs have struggled defensively and are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Islanders, but San Jose has also been vulnerable. I like this as a single-entry stack because Toronto can generate offense through its top stars, with Roslovic offering another way to benefit if the group gets rolling.
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 is a strong tournament target because his goal-scoring ability can turn a quiet stretch into a multi-goal performance quickly. Toronto has lost three straight, and the offense managed just one goal against the Islanders on Saturday, so there’s a clear bounce-back angle here. San Jose has been inconsistent defensively, and Matthews has the shooting talent to take advantage if Toronto starts converting its chances. I prefer him as a large-field play because the ceiling is substantial, even if the Leafs’ recent team form makes the floor less comfortable.
Defense: Mikhail Sergachev
Sergachev scored against Edmonton on Saturday, although Utah still lost 6-2. He also produced a goal and two assists in the Mammoth’s 5-4 win over Toronto earlier in the week, showing the kind of offensive ceiling that makes him attractive in tournaments. Pittsburgh is the next opponent, and Utah’s defensive volatility could create a game with chances at both ends. I like him as a large-field defenseman who can return value through points and power-play involvement if the Mammoth’s offense has a better night.
Goalie: Dylan Garand
Garand made 28 saves in a 1-0 overtime loss to Columbus on Saturday, a major improvement after being pulled against New Jersey. He gave up four goals on 13 shots in that earlier outing, so the latest performance was an encouraging response. Anaheim gives him an opportunity to build on that stronger showing, and the save volume is useful for tournament upside as the Ducks do shoot the puck. The Rangers have dropped two straight, but his ability to keep a game close could make him a difference-maker if New York finds enough offense to get him the win.
Stack: UTA (Guenther-Schmaltz-Keller)
Utah’s top offensive group is worth a tournament look despite the ugly loss to Edmonton. Keller scored twice and Schmaltz added two assists in the Mammoth’s 4-2 win over the Oilers on October 15, showing how productive this group can be when the offense clicks. Their latest game was a different story, with Utah held to two goals in a six-goal defeat, but that volatility is part of the appeal in large fields. They’ve combined for 31 points (13 goals) through nine games.
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