This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
2026 Olympics Men's Hockey DFS Strategy: Value Picks & Lineup Tips for Feb 12 Slate
Thursday has four Olympic games scheduled, including one at 6:10 a.m. ET, one at 10:40 a.m. ET and two at 3:10 p.m. ET. The two early starts, consisting of Switzerland against France and Czechia against Canada, are only available in Showdown formats. However, you can play Latvia against the United States and Germany against Denmark in a Classic contest, which is where our attention will go.
Slate Preview
The United States is heavily favored over Latvia, with the Over/Under at 6.5 goals. Germany is favored over Denmark, and the matchup is expected to yield 5.5 goals.
Optimal Goalie Strategy for Germany vs Denmark DFS
Philipp Grubauer, Germany vs. Denmark ($7,900): Entering the Olympic break, Grubauer made 97 saves on 106 shots en route to winning two of four outings. He has played well for Seattle this season, going 11-6-3 with a 2.43 GAA and a .916 save percentage across 22 appearances.
High Upside Value Plays in Men's Olympic Hockey DFS
Tim Stutzle, Germany vs. Denmark ($6,200): Stutzle registered six goals on 21 shots and added four assists across a seven-game point streak before the Olympic break. He leads the Senators with 28 goals and 61 points this season. Stutzle will be an integral offensive contributor for Germany at the Olympics.
Brock Nelson, United States vs. Latvia ($4,900): Since Jan. 1, Nelson is tied for the NHL lead with 13 goals in 16 games. Despite occupying a reduced role with Team USA, he could make an impact on the scoresheet as a potential value play if he remains red-hot offensively.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Denmark vs. Germany ($4,400): Going into the Olympic break, Bjorkstrand lit the lamp in three straight games while posting one assist and nine shots. He possesses plenty of upside as a value play for Thursday's slate.
Lukas Reichel, Germany vs. Denmark ($3,700): Reichel has struggled offensively in the NHL this season, but he has performed well on the international stage. He could provide plenty of bang for your buck upside alongside Leon Draisaitl during the Olympics.
Elite Line Stack Combinations for Thursday Olympic Men's Hockey
USA vs. Latvia
Auston Matthews (C - $8,500), Jake Guentzel (W - $6,300), Matt Boldy (W - $6,500)
Matthews notched one goal, 16 shots and six points in five games going into the Olympic break. Guentzel had two goals, three assists and five shots on net during a three-game point streak before heading to Italy for the Olympics. Boldy had five goals on 16 shots on target and six helpers during a six-game point spree ahead of the NHL's pause to the 2025-26 campaign.
The trio offers considerable offensive upside for Thursday's slate and won't break the bank from a salary-cap perspective.
Undervalued Defensemen to Consider in Classic Contests
Quinn Hughes, United States vs. Latvia ($5,800): Hughes picked up a pair of goals, 16 assists, 26 shots on net and 10 blocked shots during a 10-game point streak before heading to the 2026 Winter Olympics. His high offensive ceiling and affordable cap hit make him an intriguing option for Thursday's slate.
Uvis Balinskis, Latvia vs. United States ($3,700): Going into the Olympic break, Balinskis generated two goals, four points, 15 shots and four blocks in his last five games. He has plenty of upside as a value play if he can carry over that success while occupying a key role for Latvia.
