NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Top Plays and Strategy for Thursday, February 26

We have 12 video games on the docket tonight, however FanDuel will probably be doing issues a little bit in another way tonight. Rather than have a single slate that features all of the video games, the primary slate covers the ten with begins from 7:00 pm ET to 9:00 pm If you need to type a roster with the 2 later video games — San Jose will host Calgary, starting at 10:00, and the Kings will host Edmonton, beginning at 10:30 — then the After Hours slate is an possibility.

SLATE PREVIEW

Colorado, Los Angeles, Edmonton, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Toronto, Tampa Bay and Seattle are all enjoying within the second half of a back-to-back set, so there are many groups that is likely to be battling by means of fatigue. Meanwhile, Florida and Minnesota are rested however set to play once more Friday, which could affect these squads’ lineup choices tonight.

GOALIES

Juuse SarosNAS vs. CHI ($8,000): Saros was improbable for Team Finland throughout the 2026 Winter Games, posting a 1.66 GAA and a .940 save share in six appearances. He capped his run within the event by stopping 30 of 31 photographs en path to a 6-1 victory over Slovakia on Saturday. He’ll try to hold that momentum now that he is again with the Predators towards Chicago, which ranks twenty sixth in objectives per recreation this yr.

Stuart SkinnerPIT vs. NJD ($7,600): Skinner has been a blended bag this marketing campaign with a 19-12-5 document, 2.79 GAA and .890 save share in 36 appearances between Edmonton and Pittsburgh. However, he is nonetheless price contemplating as a result of the Devils rank final in objectives per recreation with 2.48 in 2025-26. The Devils suffered a 2-1 loss Wednesday — they’ve managed simply three objectives of their previous 4 video games — so that they’re additionally fatigued going into tonight’s motion.

Philipp GrubauerSEA at STL ($7,300): Grubauer is having a robust season with an 11-6-3 document, 2.43 GAA and .916 save share in 22 appearances with Seattle. The Blues are a good opponent who rank twenty eighth in objectives per recreation with 2.56.

VALUE PLAYS

Jonathan MarchessaultNAS vs. CHI ($4,800): Marchessault has left lots to be desired this marketing campaign with 10 objectives and 17 factors in 38 outings in 2025-26. However, he appeared to show a nook earlier than the break, recording three objectives and seven factors throughout his previous eight appearances. He’s enjoying within the prime six and on the primary power-play unit, so Marchessault is properly positioned to hold this momentum down the stretch.

Gabriel LandeskogCOL vs. MIN ($4,700): Landeskog collected two objectives and 4 factors in 5 outings whereas serving because the captain for Team Sweden throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics. The event gave him a chance to get again up to the mark after Colorado’s last 14 video games earlier than the break due to an upper-body damage. He made his Avalanche return Wednesday and registered an help in a 4-2 win over Utah.

Thomas NovakPIT vs. NJD ($4,600): Novak has been pretty stable this marketing campaign with 11 objectives and 31 factors in 56 outings whereas averaging 13:37 of ice time. He may see a major improve in his function whereas Sidney Crosby (decrease physique) is unavailable.

FORWARD LINE STACKS

Panthers vs. Maple Leafs

Sam Bennett (C – $6,000), Matthew Tkachuk (W – $6,400), Carter Verhaeghe (W – $6,000)

Tkachuk missed the beginning of the marketing campaign on account of a groin damage, however he has three objectives and eight factors in 10 appearances with Florida since returning, and he additionally recorded six helpers with Team USA throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics. He ought to proceed to be very productive offensively for the remainder of the season.

Meanwhile, Bennett and Verhaeghe have been stable, with every of them recording 42 factors throughout 56 and 57 outings, respectively, this marketing campaign. This is an effective line towards a drained Leafs squad that ranks twenty seventh in objectives allowed per recreation with 3.40.

Red Wings at Senators

Dylan Larkin (C – $7,100), Lucas Raymond (W – $6,300), Marco Kasper (W – $4,400)

Raymond was improbable with Sweden within the 2026 Winter Olympics, supplying a aim and 9 factors in 5 outings. He’ll intention to proceed that momentum after rejoining the Red Wings as he seems to surpass his profession excessive of 80 factors in 82 regular-season outings, which was set in 2024-25. He’s at 60 factors in 56 appearances with Detroit this season.

It helps that he is enjoying alongside Larkin, who has 26 objectives and 51 factors in 58 outings this season. You may need to skip Kasper, although. He’s reasonably priced, however Kasper has simply six objectives and 13 factors by means of 57 appearances. If you’ll be able to work it into your price range, Alex DeBrincat (W – $7,300) is ready to play alongside Larkin and Raymond on the ability play. DeBrincat has 30 objectives and 57 factors in 58 outings this season.

DEFENSE

Quinn HughesMIN at COL ($7,100): Hughes was on a 10-game scoring streak (two objectives, 18 factors) with Minnesota going into the Olympic break. He was additionally robust for Team USA throughout the Olympics, recording a aim and eight factors throughout six appearances.

Roman JosiNAS vs. CHI ($7,000): Josi contributed two objectives and 4 factors in 5 outings for Switzerland throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics. He’s been nice for Nashville as properly, supplying 11 objectives and 39 factors throughout 45 appearances this season.

The creator(s) of this text could play in each day fantasy contests together with – however not restricted to – video games that they’ve offered suggestions or recommendation on on this article. In the course of enjoying in these video games utilizing their private accounts, it is potential that they are going to use gamers of their lineups or different methods that differ from the suggestions they’ve offered above. The suggestions on this article don’t essentially replicate the views of RotoWire. Ryan Dadoun performs in each day fantasy contests utilizing the next accounts: FanDuel: Terakai, DraftKings: BTerran, Yahoo: Ryan-SPJ9H.