The NHL DraftKings Stack Strategy: How to Combine Lines, Power Plays, and Correlated Players

If you've played NHL DFS for any length of time, you've probably heard the word "stacking" more times than you can count.

For good reason.

Hockey is one of the best sports for using correlated players in daily fantasy. When one player scores a goal, another player can receive an assist. If the goal happens on the power play, several players on the same unit can benefit from the same scoring sequence.

That's what makes NHL stacking so interesting.

Instead of selecting nine players who have nothing to do with each other, you're trying to create combinations where one successful event can potentially produce fantasy points for several players in your lineup.

But stacking isn't simply a matter of picking three players from the same team.

The right stack depends on the matchup, player roles, salary, contest type and the amount of risk you're willing to take.

Let's take a closer look.

What Is an NHL DFS Stack?

An NHL DFS stack is simply a group of players from the same team or game whose fantasy production is connected.

The most obvious example is an even-strength line stack.

You might select a center and two wingers who regularly play together at five-on-five. If they combine for a goal, you could potentially receive points from the goal scorer and one or both players who record assists.

You can also stack players based on power-play units.

For example, a forward and defenseman who play together on the first power-play unit have the potential to benefit from the same special-teams scoring opportunities.

The idea is straightforward:

One event can potentially help multiple players in your lineup.

Even-Strength Line Stacks

The traditional NHL stack starts with an even-strength line.

Three players who regularly skate together can provide excellent correlation because they're on the ice together for a significant portion of the game.

When evaluating a line stack, don't simply look at the names.

Look at the opportunity.

Are all three players receiving strong ice time?

Are they generating shots?

Are they involved offensively?

Do they play together consistently?

Is the matchup favorable?

A famous line isn't automatically a great DFS stack.

Sometimes a less expensive second line can provide excellent value if it has a strong matchup and enough offensive opportunity.

That's particularly useful when you're trying to fit an expensive superstar or goaltender into your lineup.

Power-Play Stacks

Power-play correlation can be extremely valuable in NHL DFS.

The power play gives talented offensive players additional opportunities to create scoring chances, and multiple players can benefit from the same goal.

One common approach is combining a top power-play forward with a defenseman from the same unit.

For example, if the forward scores on the power play and the defenseman records an assist, both players can benefit from the same event.

This type of correlation is particularly attractive in tournaments because one successful power-play sequence can generate a significant fantasy boost.

But don't assume every power play is equally valuable.

Look at the opponent's penalty-killing performance, expected penalty opportunities and the quality of the offensive unit.

Full Stacks vs. Mini-Stacks

You don't always need three players from the same line.

A mini-stack can give you some correlation without committing too much of your salary or lineup to one team.

A two-player combination can be as simple as a center and winger from the same line.

You could also combine a forward with a defenseman from the same power-play unit.

Mini-stacks are especially useful when you want some correlation while maintaining flexibility throughout the rest of your lineup.

They're also useful when a full three-player stack is too expensive.

Instead of forcing three players together, you can take two players you believe have the strongest individual and correlated upside.

Stacking in Double-Ups

Stacking isn't exclusively a tournament strategy.

It can work in Double-Ups, but I would generally approach it more cautiously.

The objective in a Double-Up is to finish above the cash line rather than beat the entire field.

That means you don't necessarily need maximum correlation.

A smaller stack can provide some upside while allowing you to fill the rest of your lineup with high-floor players.

For example, you might use a two-player stack from a strong offensive team and then surround those players with reliable shooters, defensemen and a solid goalie.

The important thing is not to make your entire lineup dependent on one game.

If your stack fails, you still want the rest of your lineup to have enough ways to generate fantasy points.

Stacking in Head-to-Head Contests

Head-to-Head contests require a similar mindset.

You're only trying to beat one opponent.

Because of that, there's little reason to become overly aggressive simply because you want your lineup to look different.

A small stack can provide useful correlation without introducing excessive volatility.

A center and winger from the same line can make sense if they're both getting strong ice time and facing a favorable opponent.

You don't necessarily need a three- or four-player stack.

In Head-to-Head, I would generally favor quality correlation over maximum correlation.

You're looking for players who are good individually and become even more attractive because they play together.

Stacking in Single-Entry Tournaments

This is where stacking becomes much more interesting.

In a Single-Entry tournament, you have one lineup and need enough upside to compete with the entire field.

Correlation becomes a major weapon.

A three-player line stack can give your lineup a path toward a major score if that line has a breakout performance.

You can then add a power-play correlation piece or a mini-stack from another game.

The goal isn't necessarily to stack as many players as possible.

The goal is to build a lineup where several players can benefit from the same successful game environment.

Don't Automatically Stack the Favorite

One of the biggest stacking mistakes is assuming the most heavily favored team is always the best stack.

It isn't.

DFS is about fantasy scoring, not simply winning hockey games.

A team can win 3-1 without producing a huge fantasy score for your stack.

Meanwhile, a team that is slightly less favored could score five goals and create a tournament-winning stack.

Look at the offensive environment.

Consider expected scoring, shot volume, power-play opportunities and the opposing goalie.

Sometimes the best stack is obvious.

Other times, finding the less popular team in a favorable situation can provide the ownership leverage you're looking for.

Ownership and Stack Leverage

Ownership becomes particularly important in tournaments.

Suppose everyone is stacking Team A.

If Team A scores five goals, you're going to need that stack simply to keep pace.

But if Team A struggles and your lower-owned Team B stack explodes, you can potentially gain significant ground.

This is where ownership leverage comes into play.

However, don't select a stack solely because it is unpopular.

Low ownership doesn't make a bad stack good.

You still need a legitimate reason to believe the players can produce.

Look for the combination of:

Opportunity + matchup + correlation + reasonable ownership.

That's a much stronger foundation than simply trying to be different.

Watch for Line Changes

NHL line combinations can change quickly.

An injury can move a player from the third line to the top line. A coaching decision can change a player's power-play role. A returning player can push another skater down the lineup.

These changes can dramatically affect DFS value.

That's why checking the latest line combinations before submitting your lineup is so important.

A player who looked like an average value earlier in the day can become an excellent DFS option after receiving a promotion.

Likewise, a player who was part of your planned stack may lose value if his role changes.

Don't Overstack One Team

There is such a thing as too much correlation.

Imagine putting four or five players from one offense into your lineup.

If that team scores six goals, you might be celebrating.

If they score one goal, you're probably finished.

That's a lot of risk.

Even in tournaments, I don't believe every lineup needs to be built around one team scoring a ridiculous number of goals.

A more balanced approach can be to use a three-player primary stack, a smaller correlated combination from another game and individual players with strong roles.

This gives you multiple paths to a strong score.

A Simple Stacking Framework

When I'm evaluating an NHL DFS stack, I like to ask a few basic questions:

1. Do these players actually play together?

Correlation isn't very useful if the players rarely share the ice.

2. Are they receiving quality ice time?

Opportunity is essential.

3. Do they share a power-play unit?

This can add another layer of correlation.

4. Is the matchup favorable?

Look beyond the team's overall record.

5. What is the salary cost?

A great stack can still be difficult to use if it prevents you from filling the rest of your lineup.

6. How popular will the stack be?

This matters more in tournaments than cash games.

7. What happens if the stack fails?

Consider how much of your lineup is dependent on it.

If you can answer these questions, you'll have a much better idea of whether a stack belongs in your lineup.

The Bottom Line

NHL DraftKings stacking isn't about putting as many players from one team as possible into your lineup.

It's about creating relationships between players that can turn one successful hockey play into multiple fantasy scoring opportunities.

Use even-strength lines for natural correlation. Add power-play combinations when the opportunity makes sense. Use mini-stacks when you want correlation without committing too much salary or risk.

For Double-Ups and Head-to-Head contests, keep the emphasis on strong individual players and controlled correlation. In Single-Entry and larger tournaments, you can become more aggressive with full stacks, ownership leverage and lower-owned combinations.

Most importantly, don't stack just for the sake of stacking.

Look for a reason.

When the matchup, player roles, power-play opportunities, salary and ownership all line up, that's when a stack can become more than a group of players.

It becomes a strategy.

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