With eight games on tonight’s NHL schedule, there’s no shortage of ways to get in on the action. I’m heading the DFS route in this article, where I’ve narrowed in on these nine players to excel tonight.

This roster is playable in the classic $50,000 salary format at DraftKings. I’ve also listed each player’s price at FanDuel.

Here’s who I anticipate having a big night on the ice!

Today’s NHL DFS Picks & Analysis

The lineup below is based on DraftKings, but FanDuel prices are also listed.

C1: Sam Bennett (FLA) | $5,200 DK, $6,100 FD

I have four Panthers in my lineup tonight as they host the Senators in a “Battle of the Tkachuks.” I’ll take Matthew Tkachuk’s linemate, Sam Bennett, as my top centerman. He’s coming off a monster performance against the Lightning, where he amassed four points on two goals and two assists. He’s up to 27 points (13G, 14A) on the year, which is good enough for seventh on Florida’s roster.

C2: Erik Haula (NJ) | $4,000 DK, $5,200 FD

The Devils make the trip to Washington to take on the Capitals tonight, and I think we should see a lot of scoring in this game. Washington’s defense has completely fallen off, allowing 46 goals over a current 2-6-2 run (4.6 GAA). Meanwhile, Erik Haula is going through a great stretch of hockey, adding five points (1G, 4A) over his last seven games. Look for the second-line center to register at least another point tonight. I like his chances, especially playing alongside Jack Hughes and Tyler Toffoli.

W1: Alex Ovechkin (WAS) | $6,300 DK, $6,600 FD

Keeping it in the same game, I’ll lock in “The Great Eight” as my top winger. Alex Ovechkin is finally finding his footing this season. He’s riding an eight-game scoring streak, where he has racked up six goals and four assists. “Ovi” is back to leading the team in scoring with 38 points (14G, 24A), and he’s also leading the way in SOG (173). Ovechkin will have an excellent chance to light the lamp against the 24th-ranked New Jersey defense (3.13 GAA).

W2: Quinton Byfield (LA) | $4,400 DK, $5,600 FD

The Blue Jackets are a consistent fade for me, so I have to lock in someone from the Kings tonight. I’ll go with Quinton Byfield, who is sneakily compiling a solid resumé this year. The winger is fourth on Los Angeles in scoring (17G, 23A). He has been hot recently, recording 10 points (5G, 5A) over his last nine games. Los Angeles should light up this Columbus side that is 30th in overall defense (3.43 GAA) and 26th on the penalty kill (76.13%).

W3: Evan Rodrigues (FLA) | $4,100 DK, $4,600 FD

Evan Rodrigues makes a solid depth option at wing tonight. He’s putting together a respectable season, adding 33 points on eight goals and 25 helpers. This is a great matchup for Rodrigues, considering Ottawa is one of the worst defenses in the league. They’re conceding 3.44 goals per game, which is 31st in the NHL. Look for Rodrigues to make his way onto the scoresheet tonight.

D1: Quinn Hughes (VAN) | $6,700 DK, $7,300 FD

The marquee matchup of the night pits the Canucks against the Avalanche. This game also features the two frontrunners in the Norris Trophy race, Quinn Hughes (-200 via FanDuel Sportsbook) and Cale Makar (+250 at DraftKings Sportsbook). I’ll back Hughes tonight, who holds the league lead in scoring (12G, 56A) among defensemen this season. He’s coming off of a two-point (2A) night in that 10-7 barnburning loss to Minnesota last night. This is a great matchup against likely goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, who owns a .898 SV% (37th). I like Hughes to get in on the scoring action tonight.

D2: Gustav Forsling (FLA) | $4,600 DK, $5,300 FD

Florida boasts a fierce stable of defensemen, but it has been Gustav Forsling who has risen above the rest… at least recently. The Swede is on a tear right now, adding six points (1G, 5A) over six games this month. Fifteen (4G, 11A) of his 27 total points (8G, 19A) have come over the last 18 games. Forsling has emerged as the top D-man in Sunrise, Fla., and he’s taking advantage of his ice time. Look for him to have a solid night against this lousy Sens defense.

G: Ilya Sorokin (NYI) | $7,300 DK, $7,500 FD

I’m going way down the list to pick up Ilya Sorokin as my netminder tonight. The 28-year-old has taken a step back this season, considering he’s 16-12-11 with a 3.12 GAA (40th) and .910 SV% (20th). However, it’s all about the matchup tonight for Sorokin. He’ll take on a slumping Penguins offense that’s just 26th offensively (2.9 GPG) and 30th on the power play (13.71%). Pittsburgh is just 1-4-0 in its last five games, averaging 2.0 goals per game over the five-game sample size. Sorokin makes a great value play tonight in-net.

UTIL: Matthew Tkachuk (FLA) | $7,400 DK, $9,000 FD

I’ll round out my roster with Matthew Tkachuk. The winger’s currently second on the Panthers in scoring with 64 points (20G, 44A). It was a slow start for Tkachuk, but he has really turned it on recently. Over the last 21 games, Tkachuk has recorded at least one point in 19 of them. He has had 11 multi-point games over the 21-game sample size, amassing 15 goals and 25 apples in total. He’s on a tear, and there’s no doubt that he elevates his game tonight in the “Battle of the Tkachuks.”

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