Top 5 DFS Value Picks for NHL Tonight (January 26)

DFS is all about getting the most bang for your buck, so you really want players who are underpriced for what they bring to the table. That might be recent hot streaks, favorable matchups, or even increased roles and TOI due to injuries. Tonight’s NHL slate is delivering some sneaky value, and we’ve got 5 picks that look set to outproduce their price tags.

Mikael Granlund

• Position: Center
• Team: Anaheim Ducks
• Price: $4.5K

Granlund is quietly heating up at the right time. He’s coming off a strong stretch where he’s put up 4 points in his last 3 games, which also includes a 2-assist night against Calgary just last night to seal the win. Sure, he’s not flashy like Cutter Gauthier, but his minutes are steady and productive. In that Calgary game, he logged 18:18 and chipped in a block and a takeaway. This all adds to his potential.

What really sets him apart in DFS is consistency and affordability. At just $4.5K, he is averaging 9.5 DK fantasy points over the past 5 games and comes in with a strong 1.98 value rating. That’s top-tier for his salary range. He’s averaging 9.2 DK points per game on the season and has been solid across all recent splits.

He’s playing top-6 minutes and is also on the power play unit. Against an Edmonton team that plays fast and can be leaky defensively, Granlund’s price-to-performance ratio makes him a high-floor, low-risk play for tonight’s NHL slate.

Evan Bouchard

• Position: Defense
• Team: Edmonton Oilers
• Price: $7.4K

Yes, Bouchard is the priciest of the group, but his value is still nonetheless excellent. In Saturday’s game against Washington, he exploded for a hatty and added 3 helpers, finishing with 6 points and 8 shots in 29 minutes of ice time. Those are insane numbers. His season average for fantasy points is a healthy 12.4.

Over his last 5 games, he’s averaging 19.6 DK points — a number that crazy enough most forwards can’t touch. What’s even more impressive is that he hasn’t dipped below 18 DK points per game over his last 10. That kind of consistency from a defenseman is absolute gold in DFS.

Edmonton faces Anaheim tonight, a team ranked near the bottom of most defensive metrics, so this is a prime spot for a quarterback like Bouchard to rack up some power play time and generate high shot volume from the blue line. Of course, he’s expensive, but when you factor in recent production, he’s worth every penny — and then some. He’s an easy anchor on a lineup.

Kevin Fiala

• Position: Winger
• Team: LA Kings
• Price: $5.8K

Fiala might be one of the most underappreciated DFS wingers in his price range, but when you look at how he’s playing right now, you’re not going to want to skip on him. He’s fresh off a multi-point night against the Rangers, where he had a goal and an assist with a 100% shooting percentage in a 4-3 win. That game came with only 17:43 TOI, and he generally enjoys 22+ minutes TOI.

Over the last 5 games, Fiala is averaging 11.1 DK points and matching that pace over his last 10. That’s rock-solid production for a mid-tier price. His season average is solid as well at 11.1, which tells us that he’s not just on a streak — this is who he is.

Fiala is part of LA’s top-6 and sees power play time nearly every game. The Kings are up against Columbus tonight, a team that’s struggled to contain skilled forwards. At an affordable $5.8K, he’s a well-rounded pick who brings upside without breaking your DFS budget.

Alex Laferriere

• Position: Center
• Team: LA Kings
• Price: $5.0K

This kid is starting to look more and more comfortable in the NHL. Laferriere racked up a goal and an assist in Saturday’s game for 2 points and is logging solid minutes in the Kings’ top 6. 

He’s averaging 9.5 DK points per game over the last 5 games and offers decent value at a $5.0K salary. His 1.86 value rating simply confirms he’s doing more than expected at his price.

His ice time is trending up, and he’s been efficient when on the ice. The matchup against Columbus presents more opportunity, as the Blue Jackets are in the bottom 10 of the NHL in GAA. Laferriere isn’t just a filler; he has the potential to break out at any time, and his growing role puts him firmly on the radar for tonight’s showdown.

J.T. Miller

• Position: Winger
• Team: NY Rangers
• Price: $5.7K

Miller is absolutely dominating right now and still somehow underpriced. That’s why you need to take advantage of him. He’s tallied 8 points in his last 5 games, which includes back-to-back multi-point nights against Anaheim, Philadelphia, and LA. Over the last 5 games, he’s averaging 15.2 DK points — far above his season average of 10.1. He’s definitely trending upward.

He plays heavy minutes and handles a big power play role. Even when the Rangers take a loss, Miller finds a way to get on the stat sheet and often with multiple points. He racked up 10.47 DK points in a loss to LA, 11.20 against Anaheim, and 9.29 in a close win over Philly. He’s delivering across different game scripts and knows how to inject himself into the mix.

Tonight, the Rangers face Boston, which definitely isn’t an easy matchup. But with Miller on the Rangers’ top power play unit and Boston having the most PIM in the NHL, there’s a solid chance he finds the back of the net with the man advantage. At $5.7K, you’re getting a top-line producer who’s trending up at just the right time.

Load Up Your DFS Lineup with These Gems

Winning at DFS is more about recent form, opportunity, and finding inefficiencies in pricing. Every player on our list of value picks checks those boxes. Granlund gives you stability and cap relief, Bouchard is producing like a star, Fiala and Laferriere bring strong mid-tier upside in a plus matchup, and Miller’s recent tear makes him an easy value at his current salary. This is how you win.

These 5 aren’t just cheap for the sake of being cheap — they’re producing like guys priced $1K+ higher. That’s how you win in DFS — by stacking value and not just names.