It’s Saturday, and that means some big NHL DFS contests on DraftKings, FanDuel and Yahoo. This evening’s main slate has a lot of traps but some risky rewards, too. Let’s get into some top NHL DFS picks for Saturday, Aug. 29, including Elias Pettersson, Jacob Markstrom, and Sean Couturier.
There are two games on this slate which locks at 7:00 p.m. ET. Also, please keep in mind Eastern Conference games are being played in Toronto and Western Conference games in Edmonton.
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Here is tonight’s schedule. Once again, the home team just has the luxury of last line change
NHL Schedule for Saturday, Aug. 29
| AWAY – Opening Line | O/U | HOME | TIME – EDT |
| Philadelphia | 5.0 | NY Islanders -115 | 7:00 p.m. |
| Vegas  -200 | 5.0 | Vancouver | 9:45 p.m. |
NHL DFS Picks: Centers
Sean Couturier — PHI vs NYI — ($5,800 DraftKings, $6,900 FanDuel)
This is going to be a different slate so taking risks is welcome here. Couturier had been a case of frustration throughout most of the playoffs for Philadelphia but that top line finally did some things in Game 2. Yes, the Flyers blew a three-goal lead but Couturier’s line looked better from a scoring chance standpoint. The power play is still a grave concern but if that gets going, players like Couturier benefit immensely.
Pivoting to some of the middle-six centers could be prudent but my advice is this. It will be interesting to see what players like Kevin Hayes and Brock Nelson may do.Â
Elias Pettersson — VAN vs. VGK — ($6,600 DraftKings, $7,300 FanDuel)
Pettersson is the highest priced center on the slate and for good reason. He has the most upside even if he does not shoot as much as some other top-flight pivots. He flexed his muscles in Game 2 with three points (goal and two assists) and has been a threat every time the center is on the ice. His chance rates are the best on this slate by far and his ability to generate only goes up even more on the man advantage. The Vegas penalty kill and transition has been a bit problematic early in the series. Vancouver can exploit that with their top six.
Some have asked about going too far down and the answer there is honestly, punt plays do not exist on this slate. There are only two games so looking for mid-tier options like the ones mentioned above are a more solid plan. Keep it simple until some of the line shifts are fully confirmed. There is time.
NHL DFS Picks: Wingers
Anthony Beauvillier — NYI vs PHI — ($5,000 DraftKings, $6,300 FanDuel)
It is a slight risk to look at Beauvillier here (especially on FanDuel) but this may be worth that danger anyway. The Philadelphia defense has been gouged in the early going of this series by the Islanders top nine. The Beauvillier line has created some dangerous chances in bunches. As the Islanders were coming back from down three goals in Game 2, the second line led the way as they were caving in the top Philadelphia defensive lines and pairings. New York has the last line change this evening so expect NYI 2 to get some more advantageous situations.
Keep an eye on this game. Scoring volatility could go bonkers here or fall flat. The first ten minutes should give one an idea how this may go. See if Joel Farabee plays as he could be a way down value option on Saturday.
Tyler Toffoli — VAN vs VGK — ($4,700 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel)
Lost in the crazy is the fact that Toffoli returned right to Pettersson’s side and did not miss a single beat. Toffoli was limited to 14 minutes in Game 2 but had a goal and two assists along with Pettersson. The expectation is that Toffoli might play 15 or 16 minutes tonight as they ease him into things. Again, the extra two nights rest may help things but keep in mind that Vancouver and Vegas will now have two back-to-backs as well. Watch for some minor tweaks and changes.
To save a few more bucks, look at value options like Jake Virtanen. Among the higher priced wingers there are the usual suspects like JT Miller and Travis Konecny.
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NHL DFS Picks: Defensemen
Alexander Edler — VAN vs. VGK — ($5,300 DraftKings, $5,600 FanDuel)
This is a play to keep plugging in until he gets some points. Edler keeps exceeding value in three straight games and the shots and blocks bonuses are too much to ignore. Edler provides a bit more offensive upside than most give him credit for. He gives as good as he gets so expect some fun and points from both sides of the equation here. Edler has 15 blocks and ten shots on goal in just his last three contests alone.
Also, consider Shea Theodore but one will spend a bit more. It should be interesting to see how Vegas comes out for Game 3 after being dusted in Game 2.
Philippe Myers — PHI vs. NYI — ($2,800 DraftKings, $3,700 FanDuel)
This is an extreme risk play on Saturday, as Myers can be a little inconsistent. He has exceeded value in two of his last three starts and has developed a bit more of a floor against New York than usual. At his price, it may be worth to try and plug him in anyway. He had the game winning goal and hit a post along with a couple prime chances. If any of those shots went in, his price would be a good bit higher right now.
Also, consider  Chris Tanev from Vancouver or perhaps even Adam Pelech from New York or Nick Leddy even. This is going to be a night where there should be little excuse for exhaustion.
NHL DFS Picks: Stacks
PHI PP1 — Joel Farabee – Claude Giroux – Sean Couturier – Jakub Voracek
This is more expensive than any power play on the night. However, they are in a good matchup. New York’s penalty kill numbers are inconsistent and have shown vulnerability in this series. They rank near or at the bottom half in every single penalty kill metric. There is a way to look at Philadelphia’s second unit but it is the first that monopolizes the ice time and scoring chances. Staying away from Giroux helps alleviate some of the price as well along with employing Farabee who is a nice punt here.
VAN 1 — Elias Pettersson – Tanner Pearson – Tyler Toffoli
This is a solid trio that has generated chances well against the Vegas top defensive pairing. At some point though, Vegas will adjust but it is again that speed and transition game which hurt Vegas often in Game 2. It is why Toffoli and Pettersson had three points each. There were so many chances generated as the two former Los Angeles Kings’ wingers complement Pettersson’s game very well. It is a matchup that Vegas frets.
Looking for more NHL DFS picks content? We’ve got loads of articles, data, cheatsheets and more on the Awesemo NHL home page, just click HERE. Finally, goalies will be updated in Slack and on social media as confirmations will be tougher with the staggered schedule.
