This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The main-event contests at DraftKings on Black Friday include the five evening games, beginning with the 7:30 p.m. ET matchup between Calgary and Boston. Here are a handful of selections across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your lineups.
GOALIE
Antti Niemi/Kari Lehtonen, DAL vs. VAN ($7,800): The Dallas starter hasn't been announced yet, but considering they're the same price, it's an easy lineup pivot to Friday's confirmed starter. Neither has played well this year, but this is more of a matchup-based and value-oriented lean because the Canucks are averaging just 2.2 goals per game and a 29th-ranked 5.96 shooting percentage at five-on-five.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at ARI ($4,700): The Coyotes are allowing 3.33 goals per game and the most scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five (22.45) in the league. With consecutive multi-point games and a role with the No. 1 power-play unit, Draisaitl is a potential against-the-grain option in a juicy matchup. His 2.1 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five also rank 19th in the league among skaters with at least 1,250 minutes over the past two years.
Valtteri Filppula, TAM vs. CLM ($3,700): Over the four games since Steven Stamkos went down with a knee injury, Filppula has collected four assists and seen a hefty uptick in minutes (19:42, with 2:46 on the power play). Filppula's increased role and low price match up well with his opponent's unsustainably high 103.6 PDO, especially considering Columbus is allowing the third-most scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five (22.69).
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. CLM ($7,600): Among skaters with at least 300 minutes played this season, Kucherov's 3.93 points per 60 minutes rank second in the league, and he owns an impressive 3.11 mark dating back to the 2014-15 season. He's been receiving more ice time recently (20:45 per night over the past five games) and is locked into a premier offensive role with Tampa Bay, including averaging 3:30 of power-play time per game.
Jamie Benn, DAL vs. VAN ($7,300): It's been a bit of a slow start for Benn (16 points through 21 games), but his price reflects that and his history promises a recovery. The Stars are getting closer to having a fully healthy roster, and Benn is projected to skate with Tyler Seguin and Cody Eakin at even strength Friday. That trio combined for a team-high 16.31 scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five last year.
Brandon Saad, CLM at TAM ($5,800): Mired in 16-shot, seven-game goal drought, Saad's current 9.3 shooting percentage has positive regression ahead. He's been a solid offensive contributor this season, though. Saad's 2.95 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five rank eighth in the league among skaters with at least 200 minutes, and he's averaging 2.4 shots per game.
DEFENSE
Julius Honka, DAL vs. VAN ($3,600): Expected to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit Friday, the rookie has an assist and 10 shots in his first two games and has started 65.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. Vancouver is allowing the fifth-most scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five (22.31) and the seventh-most goals per game (3.05).
Anthony DeAngelo, ARI vs. EDM ($3,600): The rookie is showing high-end offensive vision and has ascended to the top power-play unit quickly. DeAngelo has five points through his first seven career games, and he's starting 57.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone while averaging 2:53 of power-play time per game. The Oilers are allowing the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five (11.52), too.
