This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The featured contests at DraftKings consist of the five evening games beginning with the two 6 p.m. ET tilts. The Rangers, Blue Jackets, Lightning, Islanders and Coyotes are also all playing the second leg of a back-to-back set, so expect plenty of backup netminders to tend net.
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA at VAN ($7,500): Vancouver has lost consecutive games with Elias Pettersson (knee) out of the lineup and generated just three goals and 13 high-danger chances at five-on-five during this stretch. Luongo should be comfortable against the Canucks after spending eight years with the franchise. The veteran is also ripe for a bounce-back showing considering he's sporting an .832 save percentage through his past five appearances.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. ANA ($7,300): The go-to center enters in solid form with a four-game point streak consisting of two goals, four assists and nine shots while logging 23:18 of ice time – including 4:16 with the man advantage. It's also a soft matchup with the Ducks allowing the second most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes on the road at 13.47.
Alexander Wennberg, CLS vs. NYR ($2,500): After a career-best 59 points during the 2016-17 campaign, things have gone south for Wennberg as he's recorded just nine goals and 45 assists through 110 games since. Still, at minimum price, he's worth considering. The Swede skates in a top-six role and receives power-play time, while the Rangers have surrendered the most goals per hour in the league since Dec. 1 at 3.76.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. ARI ($7,600): The pintsized winger is scorching hot, and the Coyotes are playing their second road game in consecutive nights. Gaudreau has marked the scoresheet in 10 of his past 11 outings with 11 goals, 11 assists, five power-play points and 39 shots. He's also combined with linemates Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm for a dominant 6.1 goals per 60 minutes this season, including a 6.82 mark at home.
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at VAN ($6,100): As noted, there are some struggles in Vancouver, and Huberdeau has hit top stride over his past 25 games with eight tallies and 24 helpers. He's also been reunited with Aleksander Barkov in all situations, and the duo has connected for a rock-solid 4.84 goals and 13.82 high-danger scoring chances per hour over the past three seasons.
Ondrej Palat, TB at NYI ($4,200): This is a screaming value for Palat. After all, he's locked into a top-six role and skating with the No. 1 power-play unit. The 27-year-old winger has also scored in consecutive games, and there's still statistical correction ahead of the Islanders' fourth-ranked .932 five-on-five team save percentage.
DEFENSE
Jacob Trouba, WPG vs. ANA ($5,100): Over the six games Dustin Byfuglien has missed with an ankle injury, Trouba's posted seven points while logging 24:35 of ice time per contests – including 2:42 on the power play. As highlighted, the Ducks check out as a favorable opponent, and Trouba also offers a respectable floor through his shot volume and willingness to block shots.
Keith Yandle, FLA at VAN ($5,000): While the veteran has cooled off of late with just eight points – including one goal – through his past 15 contests, it's been baked into his reasonable salary. Additionally, he sports a seventh-ranked 2.24 points per 60 minutes among all regular defenseman this season, so there's a lot to like about the power-play quarterback.
