This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Speculating on line juggles can be difficult; while Teuvo Teravainen had a solid week for value hunters, Jori Lehtera and Brandon Pirri didn't stick with their expected linemates. Pirri still landed on the score sheet in consecutive games with six shots, but Lehtera's single helper and relegation to the third line limited his upside.
Dan Boyle has had a nice run in relation to his cap hit, and he projects to be a nice value in favorable matchups going forward. Over his past five games, he's averaged 21:38 of ice per night, delivering a goal and an assist with 11 shots and 11 blocks in that span.
Unfortunately, Jhonas Enroth didn't grab the plus matchup against Tampa Bay last weekend, but the Sabres are still ahead Saturday, so be ready to roll him out again as an against-the-grain flier.
There are a few underpriced stars finding their form to focus on this week.
Forwards
C: Ryan Johansen, CLM ($5,800)
The Jackets' schedule isn't particularly favorable over the next week, with home dates against the Islanders and Lightning, but visiting the Stars and Coyotes could prove quite the opposite.
Johansen is cruising over his past 13 games with five goals, seven helpers and a fantasy-floor-setting 43 shots on goal, including 11 over his last two outings. Dating back to the beginning of the 2013-14 season, the 23-year-old ranks 17th in the league in points and 18th in goals.
Now he's hit his stride and has proven to be a high-end offensive contributor in the league. At his current cap hit, Johansen provides enormous upside and savings, especially in the friendly upcoming matchups.
W: Marian Gaborik, LA ($4,500)
The veteran has struggled mightily this year, with just five goals and nine points through 28 games, and he's currently in the midst of a three-game point drought. However, Gaborik continues to skate with Anze Kopitar in all situations, including on the No. 1 power-play unit.
The upcoming schedule yields some soft matchups for Gaborik to return to form, too. Road dates with the Sabres, Senators, Canadiens (minus Carey Price and Brendan Gallagher) and Maple Leafs are solid spots; the Kings have won six straight and own an impressive 8-3-1 record away from home.
Gaborik is also sporting a 7.0 shooting percentage and a 97.8 PDO, and both those marks are due for positive regression.
W: Valeri Nichushkin, DAL ($3,500)
With Nichushkin joining Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn at even strength, this inclusion is more of a formality than anything. The Stars are the highest-scoring team in the league, and Benn and Seguin are arguably the best one-two punch in the league.
Nichushkin has two goals and five helpers over his past six games, and he has topped 15 minutes of ice time in each of his past four outings. Given his high-profile running mates, the salary, and his annual sleeper billing, Nichushkin projects to be highly owned nightly. So, there isn't a lot of sneaky appeal here.
Still, home dates with the Blue Jackets, Flames and Canadiens shouldn't scare you away from the huge savings his salary offers, especially in cash games.
Defensemen
T.J. Brodie, CGY ($4,700)
After a breakout campaign last season, Brodie was injured to start this year, then he returned and started slowly. It's all in the past now, though, as the rearguard has six assists during his five-game point streak and is averaging 26:18 of ice time.
Additionally, Brodie's running mate, Mark Giordano, has also found his form of late, which is a great sign for the Flames. They've begun to turn the corner and have quietly won eight consecutive home games.
Just note, it isn't a favorable upcoming schedule with the Rangers, Predators, Stars, Blues and Red Wings on tap over the next week-plus. Still, since DraftKings doesn't dock players for poor plus-minus, Brodie's cap hit makes for an against-the-grain value start.
Goaltender
Cory Schneider, NJD ($7,500)
It's been some kind of run for the New Jersey tender. He's allowed two goals or fewer in 15 of his past 17 outings, with a .932 save percentage, nine wins and a shutout during that span.
The Devils also grab decent matchups against Buffalo on the road, and at home against Florida and Anaheim. The Panthers have the 20th-ranked road offense with an average of 2.36 goals per game, and Anaheim is last with just 1.42 goals per game on the road.
While Schneider's price is beginning to creep up, and for good reason, New Jersey often flies under the radar. Look for Schneider as a viable option in all contests, as his salary is still too low for how well he has been playing.
