It's time to close out the last weekend of October. Thanks to a earlier start time of 6 p.m. EDT, we have six NHL games on DraftKings' Sunday DFS slate. Here are my lineup recommendations.
SLATE PREVIEW
As will tend to be the norm during the season, Sunday features a few teams closing out back-to-backs. In fact, seven of the 12 on the slate will be doing that with some unsurprisingly playing each another. Those matchups see the Canucks hosting the Oilers and the Predators hosting the Stars. Beyond those four, the Wild host the Sharks, the Kings are in Chicago, and the Mammoth are in Winnipeg.
GOALIES
Spencer Knight, CHI vs. LOS ($7,200): There was a time not long ago when you wouldn't have rostered a Blackhawks goalie even with the opposing team visiting on their second straight day. Knight has changed that narrative with a .937 save percentage and 1.97 GAA, which is definitely enticing in this type of scenario.
Igor Shesterkin, NYR at CGY ($7,100): I can't figure out why Shesterkin's salary is so low. His last start didn't go well, but he's still posted a 1.86 GAA and .930 save percentage with a Vezina in his trophy case. If that wasn't enough, the matchup is also favorable as the Flames rank last in the NHL at 1.67 goals per game.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
J.T. Miller, NYR at CGY ($6,700): Miller has been inconsistent - similar to how the Rangers have fared - yet he's still managed six points through nine games even with a 9.5 shooting percentage. In addition to Calgary's scoring issues, they've been poor defensively with a 3.78 GAA.
Ryan Donato, CHI vs. LOS ($4,400): It was reasonable to view Donato's 31 goals last season with a bit of skepticism given his track record, though he's opened the campaign with five. The Kings are, as noted, closing out a back-to-back with Anton Forsberg now their backup netminder. He's registered an .880 save percentage over three starts, which isn't surprising based on a career .904.
FORWARD LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Jets vs. Mammoth
Vladislav Namestnikov (C - $3,100), Nino Niederreiter (W - $3,500), Gustav Nyquist (W - $2,700)
The Mammoth have been stingy defensively, but their schedule has been relatively easy and they'll have to play for a second straight night. And while the club tends to rely heavily on Karel Vejmelka, I don't imagine they'd use him on both sides of a back-to-back. That leaves Sunday's start to Vitek Vanecek, who holds a career .902 save percentage while on his fifth team in six seasons. The Jets' second line is a notable step down from the first one, though there's significant salary savings. Given the circumstances of this matchup, I decided that trio was worth stacking.
Namestnikov doesn't shoot that much and usually provides around 35 points a year. That being said, he does have three goals from his last five outings. Niederreiter hasn't managed to get to 20 goals in either of the last two seasons after doing so for the previous three, yet still tallied 18 and 17 and is current at two alongside four assists. In his debut with the Jets, Nyquist's three points are all helpers. 2024-25 was tough for him, but he went off for 23 goals and 52 assists for Nashville two seasons ago.
Sharks vs. Wild
Macklin Celebrini (C - $6,900), Tyler Toffoli (W - $5,300), Will Smith (W - $4,600)
Now here's a top line I'll recommend. It also helps that all three of these players are on San Jose's lead power play. The Wild are once again threatening to finish bottom-10 on the penalty kill, though of course it's early. Jesper Wallstedt is also early in his NHL career, where he's established an .886 save percentage. Throw in the Wild's back-to-back situation - even with both games at home - and I like this matchup.
Celebrini had a remarkable rookie campaign with 25 goals and 38 assists. He's still a teenager who's recorded five goals and seven assists with three multi-point outings. Toffoli is the veteran the Sharks pair with the franchise's two young cornerstones and he's contributed with two goals and an assist, but has been a 30-goal scorer in each of the last three campaigns. Smith notched 18 goals and 27 assists last year. In a larger role, he's already at eight points with an 11.8 shooting percentage that's somewhat low.
DEFENSEMEN
Josh Morrissey, WPG vs. UTA ($6,100): Morrissey is coming off an incredible effort on Friday when he posted three assists, two shots, and three blocked shots. While he hasn't yet found the back of the net, he's managed double-digit goals in each of the last four seasons. The matchup is also fairly favorable as the Mammoth are on the road for the second day of a back-to-back.
Sam Rinzel, CHI vs. LOS ($4,200): Alex Vlasic is the young defenseman the Blackhawks staff trusts the most, yet Rinzel is the one they see with the most offensive upside. He pairs with Vlasic at even-strength, but also quarterbacks the top power play. Rinzel has two assists in his last three games to go with six shots. The Kings have so far struggled while shorthanded. I doubt being on the road for the second straight day will help.
