DraftKings NHL: Wednesday Picks

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Updated on October 17, 2018 11:43AM EST

GOALIE

John Gibson, ANA vs. NYR ($8,300): The Ducks will thank the lucky stars all season for Gibson, who is 3-1-1 with a .944 save percentage and making a strong, early case for the Vezina. Braden Holtby is $100 more even though Gibson may have the easier matchup against a lackluster Rangers offense and Alexandar Georgiev likely at the other end of the ice. With Ryan Kesler back, the Ducks should have enough to beat the Rangers.

CENTER

Patrice Bergeron, BOS at CGY ($7,700): Bergeron has 11 points in his past four games and the B's top line is red-hot. The Flames, meanwhile, are committed (or stuck) with Mike Smith in net, who is 3-12-0 with a .887 save percentage in his career against the Bruins. Bergeron and his linemates have combined for 30 points, one ahead of Auston Matthews' line for the league lead.

Brayden Schenn, STL at MON ($6,500): It must've been unnerving for the Blues to see Schenn start off slowly, but since then he's scored five points in his past three games. The Habs aren't very big down the middle so that's a good matchup for Schenn, who isn't a power forward but plays a very physical game. Schenn has 17 points in 19 games against the Habs.

WING

David Pastrnak, BOS at CGY ($8,000): By all means, stack the Bruins top line and enjoy the show, but if you could only pick one, Pastrnak's the guy. He comes with a big price tag but it's for good reason; he is the best finisher and most offensively gifted player on that line. Scoring plays will either start or end with the puck on his stick and the Flames defense doesn't scare anyone.

Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. BOS ($6,300): Watching his line against Bergeron's will be very interesting because both are among the best in the league. Gaudreau's ability is so elite there's no defense in the world that can really shut him down, and it'll be good for them if Tuukka Rask has a meltdown, which is always possible. Gaudreau has five goals in seven career games against the Bruins.

Jonathan Drouin, MON vs. STL ($4,600): We all agreed to give up the idea of him as a No. 1 center, but even at this price Drouin's value seems comically low. He is talented player getting lots of opportunities on a line he doesn't always have to carry, and lately he's provided a lot of offensive spark with three points in three games. The Blues rank in the bottom 10 in both goals against per game and shots against per game.

DEFENSE

John Carlson, WAS vs. NYR ($6,400): There aren't any elite defensemen on the ice Wednesday so it's not a bad idea to go with the best available option. Carlson has six points in five games and continues to do it all for the Caps. He is averaging nearly five more minutes of ice time than anyone else on the team, and if the undisciplined Rangers start taking penalties, Carlson can make them pay.

Hampus Lindholm, ANA vs. NYI ($5,600): Lindholm has six points in six games, which is second on the team and puts him on pace for a breakout season after he put up 31 in 69 last year. The Ducks still operate by committee on the back end, but Lindholm has been excellent so far and the only one to register power-play points. His shot-blocking ability also gives him a very high floor, so he's just as dependable in fantasy as he is on the ice.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.