This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Semyon Varlamov, COL vs. WPG ($7,400): It's a tough group to choose from, but what makes Varlamov intriguing has been his strong performances (2-1-0, 3 GA, .969 Sv%) and he's fared quite well against the Jets over the past two seasons. The Avs are much better at home and Connor Hellebuyck ($8,100) is no sure bet while top sniper Patrik Laine remains invisible. David Rittich ($8,200) is intriguing but the Islanders are tough, Marc-Andre Fleury ($7,900) is really struggling now after a heavy workload and Cam Ward relies on his offense to win games.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. CHI ($7,200): Despite an amazing workload he's still finding ways to produce, and he's improved in nearly every single category in a breakout season. The Blackhawks, meanwhile, have allowed four goals or more in 33 games this season, including 11 in which they allowed six or more. That's opportunity knocking for the Wings' most consistent and dangerous scorer.
David Krejci, BOS at VGK ($5,300): He's on a four-game point streak with nine points, and the Knights are struggling with three straight losses at home and 14 goals allowed. Patrice Bergeron ($7,100) is usually the better bet and the Knights have quality forward depth, but it's hard to turn down a red-hot Krejci at this price. Secondary scoring was a problem early in the season, but not recently with 19 goals in their past four games, all of which were wins.
WING
Alex DeBrincat, CHI at DET ($6,800): A five-point effort against Ottawa grants point-per-game status to DeBrincat, who's emerging as a potential elite, top-line goal scorer. We are buying high for DeBrincat, but for the second straight game he's facing a team that has trouble defending. The Wings have actually been okay at even strength, which closes the gap between Patrick Kane ($8,000) and DeBrincat, but both have been equally dangerous on the power play.
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. NYI ($6,700): Gaudreau hasn't scored a goal in over a month, but the Flames offense keeps humming along. They'll certainly need him to beat the stingy Isles, who are at a disadvantage because Bill Peters will have last change on home ice. This is the cheapest Gaudreau has been in a long time, and given his upside it's not a bad gamble.
Karson Kuhlman, BOS at VGK ($2,500): We are passing on Danton Heinen ($5,000) because the price has climbed too high, but Kuhlman, who is skating on the second line with David Krejci and Jake DeBrusk, can provide similar production for half the price. The undrafted speedy forward played less than 12 minutes last game, but hopefully over his short two-game audition has played well enough to earn a few more shifts.
DEFENSE
Jacob Trouba, WPG at COL ($6,000): He's just slightly ahead of Josh Morrissey in fantasy points per game (3.1 to 3.0), but Trouba's worth the premium because he's taken over quarterbacking duties on the top power-play unit with Dustin Byfuglien missing the road trip. Trouba's value comes mostly via shots and blocked shots, but the added offensive opportunities is an intriguing proposition with few elite defensemen available.
Erik Gustafsson, CHI at DET ($5,700): A crazy-good power play against a bottom-10 penalty kill? Easy pick. Gustafsson has four points in his past five games, and although none have come with the man advantage, continues to quarterback the top unit. With limited options available, Gustafsson has one of the lowest floors because of his role and quality of teammates, and he's fourth in fantasy points per game among defensemen.
