This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The main contests at DraftKings consist of the five evening games and start with the Blues/Wild matchup at 6PM ET.
GOALIE
Antti Niemi, DAL at CHI ($7,100): Over the eight games Jonathan Toews (back) has been out, Chicago has averaged just 1.84 goals and the fifth fewest high-danger scoring chances (8.35) per 60 minutes. Niemi is by no means a safe option, and he's underwhelmed since joining Dallas. Still, the matchup checks out, and the 33-year-old netminder is cheap and has potential to be scarcely owned.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. COL ($7,100): Among skaters with at least 400 minutes played this year, Matthews ranks second in shots per 60 minutes (12.53), and his 2.67 points per 60 minutes rank 28th. Colorado was beat up 10-1 on Saturday, and Matthews offers a high fantasy floor with upside.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM at WPG ($5,000): With five points and 12 shots over his past six games, Nugent-Hopkins is beginning to build offensive momentum. The Jets are allowing the sixth most goals per game in the league (2.97), and Nugent-Hopkins is also averaging 2:15 of power-play time per game this year.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. NJD ($6,100): Over their past 10 games, the Devils have allowed the second most goals (3.68) and the fifth most high-danger scoring chances (12.2) per 60 minutes. Kreider's 30th-ranked 2.79 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 300 minutes also pace the Rangers, and the 25-year-old forward checks out nicely
The main contests at DraftKings consist of the five evening games and start with the Blues/Wild matchup at 6PM ET.
GOALIE
Antti Niemi, DAL at CHI ($7,100): Over the eight games Jonathan Toews (back) has been out, Chicago has averaged just 1.84 goals and the fifth fewest high-danger scoring chances (8.35) per 60 minutes. Niemi is by no means a safe option, and he's underwhelmed since joining Dallas. Still, the matchup checks out, and the 33-year-old netminder is cheap and has potential to be scarcely owned.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. COL ($7,100): Among skaters with at least 400 minutes played this year, Matthews ranks second in shots per 60 minutes (12.53), and his 2.67 points per 60 minutes rank 28th. Colorado was beat up 10-1 on Saturday, and Matthews offers a high fantasy floor with upside.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM at WPG ($5,000): With five points and 12 shots over his past six games, Nugent-Hopkins is beginning to build offensive momentum. The Jets are allowing the sixth most goals per game in the league (2.97), and Nugent-Hopkins is also averaging 2:15 of power-play time per game this year.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. NJD ($6,100): Over their past 10 games, the Devils have allowed the second most goals (3.68) and the fifth most high-danger scoring chances (12.2) per 60 minutes. Kreider's 30th-ranked 2.79 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 300 minutes also pace the Rangers, and the 25-year-old forward checks out nicely Sunday.
Jason Spezza, DAL at CHI ($5,600): Dallas has been loading up their big three (Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin and Spezza) of late, which is a huge fantasy boon for all three, but especially Spezza. Since Spezza joined the Stars, the trio have averaged 21.32 scoring chances per 60 minutes, after all. It's the fifth highest mark of any line with at least 750 minutes over the past three years.
Robby Fabbri, STL at MIN ($4,600): Heating up and finding chemistry with Vladimir Tarasenko, Fabbri is a solid contrarian option Sunday. The matchup is daunting (The Wild allow a league-low 2.04 goals per game), but Fabbri and Tarasenko have combined for 3.25 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this year, and the 20-year-old winger also has four goals, seven points and 15 shots on goal over his past six games.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. NJD ($5,300): As noted, it's a juicy matchup, and McDonagh has been logging even more minutes of late (26:09 with 4:48 on the power play over the past three games). At this salary, his high floor provides excellent lineup stability. After all, the New York captain has 16 points, 47 shots and 57 blocked shots through 29 games for the campaign.
Tyson Barrie, COL at TOR ($4,500): With his price dwindling despite respectable numbers of late (six points, 19 shots and 11 blocked shots over his past 10 games), Barrie is an excellent value against Toronto. The Maple Leafs are allowing the fourth most scoring chances per 60 minutes (29.19) and the fifth-most goals per game (3.0). Plus, Barrie has recorded 1.72 points per 60 minutes among defenseman with at least 5,000 minutes over the past four seasons, ranking him fifth in the league.
