This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CGY ($7,800): Vasilevskiy wasn't particularly sharp in his last start against the Penguins with four goals allowed, but his ability to bounce back after a bad game is what makes him a top goalie. Not counting the Penguins game, of the eight games in which Vasilevskiy has allowed four or more goals this season, his record in the following game is 8-0-0 with four shutouts. Of the goalies under $8,000, Devan Dubnyk ($7,800) and Anders Nilsson ($7,300) are also decent options.
CENTER
Matt Duchene, OTT vs. CAR ($6,300): Home-ice advantage? Check. Elite scoring stats at home? Check. Hot streak? Check. With 53 points in 46 games and averaging nearly three shots on goal, Duchene ticks every box for a potential big game. At 4.4 fantasy points per game, Duchene is one of the better value plays tonight.
Dylan Strome, CHI at BOS ($5,100): That's now 30 points in 32 games with the Blackhawks for Strome, who is carrying a four-game point streak into Boston and coming off back-to-back three-point performances against the Wings and Canucks. His chemistry with Alex DeBrincat is evident, and the Blackhawks power play has vaulted them back into the thick of the playoff race. The Bruins are healthy and tough so it'll be a good test for Strome, but his recent performance makes him a good bet at this price.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. CGY ($6,900): He's coming off a three-point performance against the Panthers and leads the league in both assists (60) and points (84), so any time he's not the most expensive winger available, he's a pretty solid choice. David Rittich is expected to start for the Flames even though he allowed four goals on 36 shots the last time he faced the Lightning.
Frank Vatrano, FLA vs. DAL ($5,200): He's caught fire of late with nine goals and 14 points in his past 16 games, taking advantage of a juicy assignment playing with Vincent Trocheck and Jonathan Huberdeau. He's always had a reputation for being able to score goals, scoring 18 in 36 games with UMass-Amherst and 36 in 36 games with AHL Providence, and now in his fourth full season the 24-year-old is breaking out. He has a very good opportunity against a team that's really fallen apart.
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. NJ ($4,300): Injuries have robbed him of his effectiveness, but at this price it's hard to pass up a player as talented as he is, and one who remains a fixture in the top six because of the team's lack of scoring wingers. He's been good against the Devils in his career with eight points in seven games and Cory Schneider, who hasn't won a game since April 16, 2018, is expected to get the start in net.
DEFENSE
Josh Morrissey, WPG vs. NYR ($4,900): With a plethora of good defensemen available, Morrissey is a great deal because of his four-game assist streak and the big role he plays on the Jets. His ice time has been cut since Dustin Byfuglien's return, but relative to Jacob Trouba ($5,800), who has the same amount of points as Morrissey but in three more games played, Morrisey can provide pretty good value. He's scored 21 points in his past 29 games.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS vs. CHI ($4,400): He's scoring at a 42-point pace this season, which means he's about $1,000 cheaper than he should be. When Zdeno Chara retires, McAvoy's going to be the de facto alpha dog on the blue line if he isn't already, leading all Bruins defensemen in ice time per game. He doesn't have the same power-play upside as Torey Krug ($5,700), but the second power-play unit he quarterbacks isn't bad with David Krejci and Peter Cehlarik. McAvoy has three points in his past five games.
