This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Curtis McElhinney, CAR vs. EDM ($8,100): We'll forgo the extra $100 it costs to pick Devan Dubnyk for McElhinney, who has won three straight games and faces one of the league's most dysfunctional teams. The 35-year-old veteran goalie is like fine wine, playing the best hockey of his career over the past two seasons, and he's 7-2-1 with a .927 save percentage at home this season. Other than Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, there's no real scoring threat on the Oilers.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR at BUF ($6,700): He's scored four goals in his past four games, bringing his season total to 56 points in 56 games for a team that doesn't score a whole lot. The Sabres, meanwhile, are expected to start Carter Hutton, loser of four of his past five games and has been on the verge of losing the No. 1 job to Linus Ullmark. Zibanejad has 15 points in 21 career games against them.
Evan Rodrigues, BUF vs. NYR ($4,200): If Casey Mittelstadt can't play, Rodrigues will fill in on the second line with Sam Reinhart and Conor Sheary. It's definitely a small line, but also one that can beat you in a variety of ways on offense. Rodrigues is a shooter, averaging at least two shots per game. Who knows what kind of performance Alexander Georgiev will turn in, but he's laid stinkers in the past and the Sabres have been very good at home.
WING
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at CAR ($7,300): If there's an elite winger to bank on it's Draisaitl. He's the only Oiler not named McDavid who's been consistently scoring and the only winger who deserves to play on the top line. He has six goals in his past five games, and with Taylor Hall and David Pastrnak on injured reserve, he's the best option for those prices over $7,000.
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR vs. EDM ($6,000): "Turbo" has kicked into another gear with five goals in four games and 22 points in his past 19. The theme so far is that the Oilers-Hurricanes game isn't expected to be low-scoring since both teams still rely heavily on their offense to win games. Teravainen is the focal point on the second line with Lucas Wallmark shooting blanks and Michael Ferland scoring only in spurts.
Danton Heinen, BOS at ANA ($5,400): He scored three points taking David Pastrnak's spot on the top line and he'll stay there for the second straight game. Rookie Kevin Boyle shut out the Canucks for his first win, joining the parade of young goalies who have taken the league by storm, but the Bruins offense is much more potent overall and Boyle had won in spite of the defense in front of him. Odds are the Bruins are going to score at least a couple goals and leave Anaheim with a win.
DEFENSE
Jared Spurgeon, MIN vs. NJ ($5,500): He's a little expensive but there's no elite defenseman available Friday, and among the names at the top of the list he presents quite a bit of upside. His role has increased since Matt Dumba's injury, and other than maybe Torey Krug nobody else has been as effective as Spurgeon at generating offense. He scored three points against the Flyers and 16 shots in his past five games.
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF vs. NYR ($4,800): The Sabres will play Dahlin and Rasmus Ristolainen ($5,700) on the same power play, so if the potential output is negligible then the cheaper option might be better. Dahlin has two assists in his past three games, one of which came on the man advantage, and has progressed since the beginning of the season. The Rangers penalty killing ranks 25th and they've taken the seventh most penalties in the league, so there should be plenty of opportunities.
