This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The main event contests at DraftKings feature the three evening games and exclude the afternoon game between Edmonton and Winnipeg. The Oilers-Jets bout is a Heritage Classic game played outdoors, too, so it's likely best to avoid the unknown elements and stick to the main event matchups.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. VAN ($7,900): The Canucks enter the game on the wrong end of back-to-back road games coming off their first loss of the season. This is the home opener for Anaheim, and Gibson has saved 46 of 50 shots over his past two games. Additionally, the 23-year-old posted a .930 save percentage at home last season and his salary is more than reasonable.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. ARI ($5,600): The first-year Ranger has missed the scoresheet just once this season and has registered 18 shots on net through five games. He's playing in the top six and has seen his point total climb in each of the prior four seasons. The arrow is pointing straight up, and this is a great matchup with Arizona allowing 4.5 goals per game.
Eric Staal, MIN at NYI ($5,100): The veteran pivot is playing on the top line and averaging 3:21 of power-play time through the first five games of year. The Wild are playing their second game in consecutive nights, which makes Staal more of a contrarian flier than lineup lock. However, his offensive role and likely low ownership pair nicely given his salary.
WING
The main event contests at DraftKings feature the three evening games and exclude the afternoon game between Edmonton and Winnipeg. The Oilers-Jets bout is a Heritage Classic game played outdoors, too, so it's likely best to avoid the unknown elements and stick to the main event matchups.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. VAN ($7,900): The Canucks enter the game on the wrong end of back-to-back road games coming off their first loss of the season. This is the home opener for Anaheim, and Gibson has saved 46 of 50 shots over his past two games. Additionally, the 23-year-old posted a .930 save percentage at home last season and his salary is more than reasonable.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR vs. ARI ($5,600): The first-year Ranger has missed the scoresheet just once this season and has registered 18 shots on net through five games. He's playing in the top six and has seen his point total climb in each of the prior four seasons. The arrow is pointing straight up, and this is a great matchup with Arizona allowing 4.5 goals per game.
Eric Staal, MIN at NYI ($5,100): The veteran pivot is playing on the top line and averaging 3:21 of power-play time through the first five games of year. The Wild are playing their second game in consecutive nights, which makes Staal more of a contrarian flier than lineup lock. However, his offensive role and likely low ownership pair nicely given his salary.
WING
Charlie Coyle, MIN at NYI ($4,900): Sticking with the Wild, Coyle has been stapled to Staal and Zach Parise in all situations this season, and the youngest member of the line has two goals and two helpers through five games. Coyle is averaging 3:10 of power-play time this year, and has recorded 12 shots on net and seven blocked shots to help his fantasy floor.
Jimmy Vesey, NYR vs. ARI ($4,100): The rookie scored a pair of goals Saturday, and he's received an uptick in playing time (17:10 with 2:32 on the power play) over the past two games with seven shots on net. Vesey has been skating in a top-six role with Derek Stepan and Rick Nash, and as noted, the Coyotes have struggled to slow down opponents this season.
Anthony Duclair, ARI at NYR ($4,000): The sophomore has done next to nothing through the first four games of the season with just six shots and zero points. However, Duclair is playing top offensive minutes and posted 44 points last year, so a speculative flier at this salary isn't out of the question – especially in a rare matchup against his former team.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. ARI ($4,900): With an average of 3:16 of power-play time for the season and four points over his past three games, McDonagh is seizing his opportunity as the No. 1 offensive defenseman for the Rangers. Additionally, he helps in the shots and blocked shots columns, and Arizona is a cushy matchup.
Shea Theodore, ANA vs. VAN ($2,600): A low-priced flier, Theodore registered two assists through his first two games in the AHL before being promoted Saturday. Additionally, he posted a solid eight points over 19 games last year and owns huge offensive upside. The only concern is how much ice time he'll receive Sunday.
