This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are only a handful of games left for each team with the playoffs just around the corner. With only four heavily scheduled nights remaining, take advantage of these values to open up cap space and separate your lineups from the flock.
Here are your weekly value recommendations.
C: Nick Bjugstad, Florida Panthers, $4,500
The Panthers have a cushy upcoming schedule for the newly minted No. 2 pivot to finish the season strong. Although Bjugstad's failed to register a point in either of his past two outings, he still has a decent three goals and five assists over his past 12.
Bjugstad also has jumped up to the No. 1 power-play unit, and don't forget, the 6-foot-6, 218-pound center scored 24 goals last season. His lack of offense this year is likely connected to his third-line duty more than anything else.
Two dates with the Canadiens and outings against Toronto, Ottawa and Carolina pave the way for a strong finish for Bjugstad. His cap hit is extremely manageable and running with Jussi Jokinen and Reilly Smith doesn't hurt, either.
W: Hunter Shinkaruk, Calgary Flames, $2,600
The rookie winger has played over 17 minutes in each of his past two outings and is skating with Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan atop the depth chart. Shinkaruk has a goal, an assist and four shots through his first three games, with both points coming via the power play.
The 2013 first-round selection registered 26 goals and 23 helpers through 59 games in the American Hockey League this season and was an elite scorer in the Western Hockey League as a junior. A cushy gig with Guadreau and Monahan will help Shinkaruk's offense translate to the highest level.
The cap hit is just above minimum price, and thankfully there is no plus-minus risk on DraftKings. With the season finished for Calgary, look for Shinkaruk to receive a long look in a scoring role, which makes him an excellent source of cap relief through the next week.
D: Trevor Daley, Pittsburgh Penguins, $4,100
Skating with Kris Letang is a huge bonus, but Daley was trending in the right direction prior to Olli Maatta's season-ending injury. Through his past seven games, Daley has tallied eight points, 19 shots and 16 blocked shots.
The real value lies in his ice time, which is attached to a surging offense. The Penguins paced the league with 57 goals in March, and they've registered 20 tallies through their past four games. Daley has averaged 26:01 per game over the four games of Maatta's absence, including 3:09 of power-play time.
The cap hit is extremely generous given the uptick in production and larger role, so Daley's peripheral stats will approach value, with any scoresheet appearances pushing him well into profit territory.
G: Jonathan Bernier, Toronto Maple Leafs, $7,000
The maligned netminder has allowed two goals or fewer in each of his past six outings with four wins, a .952 save percentage, a 1.53 GAA and a shutout. Additionally, he has faced at least 25 shots in each start, including north of 30 four times.
Backstopping a basement-dwelling team keeps him in the flier range, but there is plenty of upside with unimposing matchups in three of the final five games of the season. Only a road game in Philadelphia and home date with Florida are daunting, whereas home gigs against Detroit and Columbus and a road date against New Jersey are all win possibilities.
Toronto has won six of its past 10 games, and dating back to the beginning of February, the Maple Leafs boast a third-ranked 54.9 CorsiFor percentage at five-on-five. However, during that same time, Toronto has a third-worst .906 save percentage at five-on-five. Enter a hot Bernier and there's ample win potential against teams already packing it in, especially with many Leafs playing for a job next year.
