Opening Day in MLB is officially one week away, which means there are seven days to build up our DraftKings bankroll through NHL. It has been a pretty successful season so far, and there is another great slate tonight. With 10 games scheduled, narrowing down to just a couple of teams seem fairly clear. Let’s take a look at some of the top options on the board tonight.
Center
Steven Stamkos (TB): $7,600 @ NYI
In a great matchup, Stamkos is in a position to be the top center on the night. The New York Islanders have allowed the most goals against of any team in the NHL averaging 3.56 GA/60. During home games, New York has allowed 129 goals in 35 games. Averaging 3.68 GA/60. Stamkos and the rest of the Tampa Bay Lightning own the highest goal-per-game total on the road and should easily find ways to score this evening.
Leon Draisaitl (EDM): $5,800 @ OTT
Now centering the second forward line for the Edmonton Oilers, Leon Draisaitl is simply mispriced. On the season, Draisaitl is averaging 3.7 DK FPPG (ranked 11th among centers tonight), while being priced as the 17th highest center. This season has been disappointing for the German superstar, but will now see opposing teams’ weaker defensive matchups. Draisaitl is coming off of a four-point performance in Carolina showing instant chemistry with his two new wingers. In addition, he will also continue logging top power-play unit minutes with Connor McDavid. Ottawa will likely be without Erik Karlsson tonight only making the Oilers offensive players more enticing.
Wing
Nikita Kucherov (TB): $8,100 @ NYI
The NHL’s point leader is playing the NHL’s worst defensive team. Kucherov has the highest fantasy point production floor and ceiling of any player tonight. Closing in on 40 goals and 100 points, Nikita Kucherov has had a career year and should not need much convincing to roster tonight.
Drake Caggiula (EDM): $3,000 @ OTT
In order to fit in the high priced Lighting duo, Leon Draisaitl and his two linemates are great value options. Drake Caggiula is also having a down year after contributing to the Oilers playoff run last year. However, with a lot to prove for next year, the sophomore can easily pay off value this evening. The Ottawa Senators are ranked 30th in GA this season and will be even more vulnerable if their captain is unable to suit up. The Oilers are a team talented enough to showcase a lot of offense (seven goals last game) and should not be taken lightly just because they have had a tough year.
Pontus Aberg (EDM): $3,000 @ OTT
The third piece to an Oilers stack is newly acquired, Pontus Aberg. After missing an 11 am practice last week, the coaching staff decided to sit the rookie for two games. Tuesday night, Aberg came back and scored a goal to go along with two assists. With a lot of speed and raw talent, Aberg has shown offensive ability and will look to take advantage of a weak Senator team. At minimum price, there is a high amount of risk, but also a high reward at low ownership.
Brendan Leipsic (VAN): $3,500 @ CHI
For another value play tonight, consider Vancouver Canucks left-winger Brendan Leipsic. After numerous injuries on the roster, Leipsic has received an increase in ice time on the top forward line. Chicago has been a great team to pick on all season long and there is no reason to change the mentality. Without Corey Crawford, the Blackhawks are a shell of their former self. Leipsic will log time on the second power-play unit and continue to see the opportunity for offense.
Defense
Victor Hedman (TB): $6,500 @ NYI
The final part of an expensive Lightning stack includes Victor Hedman. With two goals in his last two games, the Swedish All-Star is showing more goal-scoring upside. On the season, Hedman has now scored 53 points in 68 games. In addition to chipping in on the score sheet, the D-man also blocks nearly 1.5 shots per games while adding 2.8 shots on goal per game. Victor Hedman is among the best defensemen to roster on any given night and will be an elite play this evening in an up-tempo game.
Darnell Nurse (EDM): $4,400 @ OTT
After Oscar Klefbom announced he would go ahead with season-ending shoulder surgery, Darnell Nurse instantly became the ice-time beneficiary. Logging a whopping 27 minutes last game, Nurse will now see time on the top power-play unit as well as the top defensive pairing. Ethan Bear and Andrej Sekera are also dealing with nagging injuries which will only solidify extra minutes for the young defenseman in a great matchup. Nurse has shown offensive abilities by jumping up in the rush, which gives him fantasy production upside.
Goalie
Pekka Rinne (NSH): $8,400 vs. TOR
The Toronto Maple Leafs are three lines deep and are always capable of scoring multiple goals. However, Auston Matthews is still sidelined with an injury and the Nashville Predators are now the best team in the NHL. Pekka Rinne has an incredible record of 40-9-4 to go along with a 2.21 GAA, .931 SV% and eight shutouts. The Preds have not lost a regulation game since February 17th (16 games). The Leafs will take a lot of shots and create offense, no question. But Nashville has a deep roster with a lot of talent both on the blue line and in their forward group. They are built for a long post-season run and should win this game against the inferior team.
Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.
