NHL Building Blocks for October 5
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 24, 2025; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) looks on prior to a face off against the Calgary Flames in the second period at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn Images
CASH
Forward: Nikita Kucherov
Kucherov already has a goal and an assist through two games, including 22:46 and three shots in his last outing. Tampa’s matchup with a Philadelphia team outscored 13-4 through three games makes him the safest elite forward spend.
Defense: Erik Karlsson
Karlsson has two assists through Pittsburgh’s first two games and now gets Winnipeg on the second half of a back-to-back. With the Penguins starting off the year hot, his offensive role gives him plenty of paths to another strong outing.
Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy
Vasilevskiy is the clear cash option with Tampa sitting around -210 and Philadelphia averaging only 1.33 goals per game. He stopped 20 of 21 Washington shots Saturday and now draws a Flyers team that has struggled badly to start the year.
Oct 16, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Boston Bruins right wing David Pastrnak (88) before the game against the Colorado Avalanche at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
SINGLE ENTRY
Forward: Kyle Connor
Connor is already up to three goals and two assists in two games after exploding for two power-play goals and an assist Sunday. Pittsburgh has allowed 11 goals in two games, making Connor one of the slate’s best ceiling plays.
Defense: John Carlson
Carlson gets an excellent combination of opportunity and matchup with PP1 exposure in Tampa’s most attractive offensive spot. The Flyers have allowed 13 goals through three games, making Carlson’s multi-point upside particularly appealing at defense.
Goalie: Jeremy Swayman
Swayman has been excellent to start the season, going 2-0 with a 1.47 GAA and .947 SV%. Back home against Ottawa, he has both the form and win equity to make sense as an SE option.
Stack: BOS (Pastrnak-Lindholm-Peterka)
Boston’s top line has been productive to start the year, with Peterka scoring in each of the Bruins’ first two games and Pastrnak providing plenty of shot and scoring upside. Ottawa’s blue line is already shorthanded with Jake Sanderson questionable and Artem Zub out, making this a strong SE pivot in a game that could stay relatively low-owned.
Oct 14, 2025; San Jose, California, USA; San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (71) during the third period against the Carolina Hurricanes at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-Imagn Images
LARGE FIELD
Forward: Macklin Celebrini
Five assists through two games is a great start, and Celebrini has already established himself as the engine of San Jose’s offense. Dallas has scored just once in two games, but its 0-2 start creates an interesting spot to attack the game from the underdog side.
Defense: Miro Heiskanen
Heiskanen already has a goal through two games and gets a sneaky-good matchup against San Jose. Dallas hasn’t generated much offense yet, but that also keeps Heiskanen away from the obvious ownership while giving him plenty of upside if the Stars finally break out.
Goalie: Yaroslav Askarov
This is strictly a leverage play. San Jose is 2-0 and Dallas has managed only one goal through two games, but we know what they’re capable of once they get going, so Askarov has a realistic path to a big save total even without strong win equity.
Stack: DAL (Johnston-Rantanen-Hintz-Robertson)
Dallas is an easy team to overlook after scoring just once in two games, but that’s exactly what makes them interesting in a large-field build. The Stars averaged 3.33 goals per game last season and now get a San Jose team that has allowed seven goals through two games. Rantanen already has two assists and three shots in his last game, while Dallas’ top power-play unit gives this group plenty of upside if the offense finally clicks. Can’t afford them all likely, so mix and match your favorites.
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