This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's a lighter Tuesday night than usual in the NHL, so you won't find the deep player pool you're used to. Here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price points to consider at DraftKings.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. TOR ($8,100): The Caps are allowing a league-low 1.74 goals per game at home this season, and Holtby is 11-5-1 with a .930 save percentage and 1.76 GAA at Verizon Center. Washington is also allowing the fourth fewest Corsi attempts per 60 minutes. Look for the Capitals to smoother Toronto, and Holtby to leave Tuesday's game with another tidy outing.
CENTER
Derek Stepan, NYR vs. BUF ($6,800): The Rangers' No. 1 pivot is cruising, and has posted four goals, nine points and 14 shots through his past six games. The Sabres have lost six of their past seven games with 23 goals allowed, and Stepan is in a sneaky price range that could leave his ownership percentage lower than it should be. Plus, he owns a 10th-ranked 2.53 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with 700 minutes played this year, albeit that highlights his hefty role more than offensive efficiency.
Victor Rask, CAR vs. NJD ($5,600): Currently mired in a four-game pointless drought, look for Rask to return to form against New Jersey on Tuesday. He hasn't gone five games without a point all year, and the Devils enter on the wrong end of back-to-back games and are allowing 3.09 goals per road game. Additionally, Rask has been much better on home ice with 13 points, including five goals, through 15 outings.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. WPG ($6,900): Considering his second-ranked 3.68 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 500 minutes this season, Kucherov is priced for profit against the Jets. Winnipeg is allowing 3.10 goals per road game and owns an underwhelming 7-11-2 record away from the MTS Centre. Additionally, Kucherov has five assists and 11 shots through three games since returning from a lower-body injury.
Ondrej Palat, TAM vs. WPG ($4,900): Now playing with Kucherov is all situations, Palat presents significant value and helps mitigate the heftier salary of his linemate. As noted, it's a solid matchup against Winnipeg, and Palat and Kucherov have combined to post an impressive 3.56 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past three seasons.
Kevin Labanc, SAN vs. LOS ($3,400): While Labanc's six goals, nine points and 29 shots over his past 17 games don't jump off the page, his 1.33 goals per 60 minutes rank 28th in the league among skaters with at least 300 minutes this season. He's also been clicking of late with three goals, four points and 10 shots over his past four outings. Locked into a top-six role with a gig on the No. 2 power-play unit, the 21-year-old winger checks out as a nice low-priced flier Tuesday. His 70 goals and 234 points through 133 games in the OHL over the past two seasons also highlight his offensive gifts.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR vs. BUF ($5,400): As noted, Buffalo is struggling of late, and a road date against a prolific offense doesn't bode well. McDonagh presents an excellent floor-ceiling combo with an average of 24:12 of ice time per night (3:27 on the power play), and he's registered seven points, 10 shots and five blocked shots through his past four games. The No. 1 offensive defenseman for the Rangers doesn't break the bank, either.
Anton Stralman, TAM vs. WPG ($3,700): It's been a letdown campaign for Stralman, but his dip in production across the board is reflected in his salary. As part of a Tampa Bay stack, the 30-year-old defenseman presents nice value and still carries the upside to reward investors. After all, Stralman is averaging 22:54 of ice time per night with 2:26 on the power play, and still offers cross-category potential.
