NHL Building Blocks for October 23
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.
SKATERS
Center: Nathan Mackinnon
MacKinnon has 16 points through 10 games, but he’s coming off back-to-back scoreless outings after erupting for four points against Pittsburgh. I still like the shot volume and offensive ceiling against Tampa Bay. His floor is always high, averaging four-plus shots per game.
Other: Connor Bedard, Brayden Point
Winger: Cole Caufield
Caufield has eight points (six goals and two assists) through nine games, including a goal and an assist against San Jose on Tuesday. He’s scored in three of his last four games, and I like his shooting upside against Chicago. He has a good floor and is a nice alternative to some of the bigger names in the other game.
Other: Nikita Kucherov, Martin Necas
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
Defense: Lane Hutson
Hutson’s offensive involvement is hard to ignore, with nine points through nine games and a power-play role that keeps him involved in Montreal’s best scoring chances. He’s averaging over 26 minutes a night, giving him plenty of opportunity against Chicago. He’s a pivot off of Makar and is in a better matchup.
Other: Cale Makar, Bowen Byram
Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy is 5-2 with a 2.46 GAA and .898 save percentage through seven games. He stopped 32 of 34 shots against Vegas last time out, but Colorado’s high-powered offense makes this a challenging matchup. It’s a two-gamer, so he’s in play just because of that, but we do know his ceiling (and the floor should be there as they’ll throw a lot of shots on net).
Other: Mackenzie Blackwood, Jakub Dobes
Value: Oliver Kapanen
Kapanen has yet to record a point through two games since returning from injury, averaging just over 11 minutes of ice time. He had 37 points last season, including 22 goals, so there’s some scoring upside, especially as he is now centering L1/PP1 in Suzuki’s absence.
Other: Frank Nazar, Devon Toews
Oct 20, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (8) warms up on the ice before the game between the San Jose Sharks and the Colorado Avalanche at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
STACKS
Full: COL (Necas-Makar-Lehkohen-Schwartz)
I like this as a way to get Colorado exposure without simply defaulting to MacKinnon. Necas and Lehkonen give you the forward upside while Makar brings the blue-line scoring and power-play ceiling; Schwartz adds a less obvious angle to the construction. You can absolutely include MacKinnon if you’re looking to maximize Colorado’s upside, but this version gives you a different way to build around the Avalanche offense.
Other: TB (Kucherov-Point-Carlson): MTL (Caufield-Kapanen-Slafkovsky)
Mini: MTL (Caufield-Kapanen)
With Nick Suzuki out for the next two to four weeks, Kapanen gets a major opportunity centering Caufield and Slafkovsky. Caufield already has eight points through nine games and the duo is together on PP1, giving Kapanen a chance to benefit from Montreal’s top offensive talent. I like the salary-saving angle here, although Kapanen’s own production is less established
Other: CHI (Bedard-Kane); COL (Nelson-Kadri)
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