DraftKings DFS Cheat Sheet: Top NBA and NHL Fantasy Plays for January 22, 2026

With a full slate of games across the NBA and NHL on Thursday, January 22, 2026, DraftKings daily fantasy sports (DFS) players have a prime opportunity to maximize their lineups. By synthesizing the latest recommendations from expert sources, we present key picks, value plays, and roster-building strategies for both basketball and hockey contests, ensuring you’re well-equipped to compete in Thursday’s DFS tournaments.

NBA DFS: Top Plays and Key Strategies

The NBA schedule for Thursday features several matchups with high fantasy potential. DFS experts highlight the importance of targeting players in games with high projected totals and monitoring injury news for late value opportunities.

• Star Power: Building around high-usage superstars is a staple strategy. Targeting elite guards or forwards with heavy minutes and scoring responsibility can anchor your lineup.
• Value Picks: Injury replacements and bench players seeing upticks in playing time offer salary relief. Identifying these value gems allows for rostering multiple stars.
• Game Stacking: Focusing on matchups with fast pace or weak defenses can yield high fantasy scores. Stacking multiple players from the same game is a popular GPP (guaranteed prize pool) strategy.

For example, if a key starter is ruled out closer to tip-off, be ready to pivot to their backup or other teammates who stand to benefit from increased usage. Monitoring late-breaking news up until lineup lock is crucial for NBA DFS success.

NHL DFS: Top Skaters and Goalie Targets

On the ice, NHL DFS contests on DraftKings emphasize multi-point upside and favorable matchups. According to hockey analysts, constructing winning lineups often involves a blend of high-volume shooters, power play specialists, and value defensemen.

• First-Line Forwards: Skaters on top lines, especially those seeing power play time, are prime targets for stacking. Correlating centers with their wingers can pay off if the line connects for multiple goals.
• Value Defensemen: Affordable blue-liners who block shots, log big minutes, or play on the power play offer salary cap flexibility.
• Goalie Selection: Opt for goaltenders with strong win probability and shot volume. Facing weaker offensive teams or playing at home can be tiebreakers in close decisions.

Like NBA DFS, late-breaking lineup confirmations and starting goalie news are essential to monitor. Lock in your goalie after confirming their starting status to avoid zeroes in your lineup.

Cross-Sport Strategies and Final Tips

Whether building NBA or NHL lineups, several universal DFS principles apply:

• Track Injury News: Late scratches and injury updates can drastically change value on the slate.
• Leverage Ownership: In large-field tournaments, consider differentiating your lineup with lower-owned plays for higher upside.
• Correlate Your Lineups: Pairing teammates in high-scoring environments boosts your ceiling.
• Manage Bankroll: Diversify contest types and entry sizes to balance upside and risk.

With Thursday’s NBA and NHL action, the edge goes to DFS managers who stay informed, react to news, and build lineups that balance star power with value. For deeper statistical breakdowns and real-time updates, check out the official Basketball-Reference DFS and Hockey-Reference DFS pages.

Looking Ahead

As the NBA and NHL seasons intensify, staying up to date on injury news, player performance trends, and matchup analysis is vital for ongoing DFS success. Thursday’s slate offers a robust set of options for both casual and experienced players. Good luck building your winning DraftKings lineups!