NHL DFS Expert Survey: Thursday, April 9th

by Justin Bailey (Jbails26) Last Updated 2026-04-09 17:42:36 Premium Content Part of the product RotoGrinders NHL Premium

Panarin of the Kings

Our panel of experts is here to give you their insights on NHL DFS today for the 4/9 main slate on DraftKings. They’re ready to answer key questions that will assist you in making those crucial lineup-building decisions. Curious who Moneyball16 has as his top overall line stack? Or perhaps you’re wondering about TastefulTides’ favorite play for large-field tournaments? Read their thoughts below!

NHL DFS Picks: DraftKings Expert Survey for Thursday, April 9

Who is your favorite skater to spend up for in cash games?

TastefulTides: Artemi Panarin
boggslite: Artemi Panarin
Joda: Artemi Panarin

What is your preferred tournament format (e.g. large-field, single-entry) to play on this slate? How do you plan to beat that field of opponents? What tactic or strategy will set you apart?

TastefulTides: Single entry is my preferred format. I am narrowing my pool quite a bit. I will be focusing heavily on the Kings. If I were playing more lineups, I would be stacking all 3 of their top-3 lines. In my single lineup, I will be focusing on the top power-play unit and perhaps pieces of the 2nd power-play unit in an onslaught stack. Other teams I like are the Islanders and the Mammoth.

boggslite: Large-field tournaments – There’s no shortage of top talent to pay up for, but I’m leaning towards a balanced build around the Kings and Senators. Both have excellent matchups on home ice and have plenty to play for at this point in the season. I prefer the relative safety of Ilya Sorokin in net, but if I can’t afford him, I will carry some risk with a cheaper option with upside like Yaroslav Askarov.

Joda: Large-field GPPs – As much as we like Nathan MacKinnon, the Avalanche have clinched the division and conference, so I will be looking elsewhere as we could see his minutes dialed back in order to stay healthy. Some teams I like with plenty to play for in cupcake matchups are the Islanders, Senators, and Kings. I also like the look of Utah’s top 6, as they have a chance to clinch a playoff spot on home ice. There are some nice prices on the Mammoth skaters once again.

Who is your favorite play (when considering price, matchup, roster construction, etc.) on the board and why?

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