This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are 11 games in the NHL on Tuesday, so it's a deep player pool that presents many paths to differentiating your selections for tournaments. Here are a handful of options across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. DET ($8,500): The Red Wings enter on the wrong end of back-to-back games and travel to Montreal for this contest after scoring a single goal against the Sabres on Monday. With a .943 save percentage and 1.56 GAA through his past 12 games, even at this hefty salary, Price is a high-floor, high-ceiling investment.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. CGY ($6,800): While Backstrom has missed the scoresheet in three of his past six outings, he also has piled up 12 goals and 45 points over his past 34 games. His salary is kept in check because of his modest goals total (21) and shot volume (1.99 shots per game), but with 19 multi-point showings for the season, there's no denying his upside. Speculating that Calgary's hot stretch hits a road block against the Capitals as a contrarian play could also provide low ownership.
Sean Couturier, PHI at WPG ($3,800): As he's currently enjoying a significant uptick in offensive production, Couturier's salary presents nice value. The pivot has collected two goals, nine points and 22 shots with an average of 17:55 of ice time (2:25 on the power play) over his past eight outings. Additionally, Winnipeg allowing the third-most goals per game (3.18) and sporting the fourth-worst team save percentage (.898) helps.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. ARI ($8,000): With six multi-point showings for 12 goals, 22 points and 53 shots through his past 13 games, Kucherov is in elite form. He also owns a fourth-ranked 3.4 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with 1,250 minutes this season. Arizona allowing the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.1) only strengthens the case for Kucherov.
Mats Zuccarello, NYR at NJD ($5,500): While more of a high-floor option, Zuccarello has scored two goals and three assists over a four-game point streak while averaging 19:06 of ice time (2:24). The Devils have lost 10 consecutive games and have allowed 3.09 goals with an .890 save percentage during that slump. The 29-year-old Norwegian also boasts an impressive -- and 19th-ranked -- 2.03 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five among skaters with at least 3,000 minutes over the past three seasons.
John Hayden, CHI vs. VAN ($3,000): The Ivy League product has transitioned seamlessly into a top-line role on Jonathan Toews' flank. Hayden has a goal and two helpers through his first three professional games, and he's also brought a physical presence with 15 hits. While strictly a low-priced flier, the Canucks have dropped six consecutive games and allowed 21 goals during the skid, so Hayden's a low-risk investment.
DEFENSE
Alex Pietrangelo, STL at COL ($5,800): The Avalanche have allowed the most goals per game (3.28) and own the third-worst team save percentage (.897) in the league, so the matchup is ripe for Pietrangelo. He's also stepped up his fantasy production with seven points, 21 shots and 18 blocked shots through his past eight games. The 27-year-old defenseman boasts an attractive floor with upside.
Duncan Keith, CHI vs. VAN ($5,600): In addition to the previously noted perks of a date with Vancouver, the Canucks have also allowed the third-most scoring chances per 60 minutes (31.25 over their past 25 games. Keith continues to provide solid cross-category production with 18 points, 57 shots and 35 blocked shots while averaging 25:20 of ice time (2:28 with the man advantage) over his past 23 outings. He checks out as another reliable contributor with upside.
