This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are six games in the NHL on Friday. Here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price points to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Al Montoya, MON at NJD ($7,600): While he's won his past two starts, Montoya has allowed seven goals with a disappointing .899 save percentage. At this salary, the backup is in a nice spot to return value and continue his winning ways. After all, the Canadiens are looking to right the ship after losing four of their past six games (including two consecutive outings), while the Devils are generating the second-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes (23.32) in the league.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT at CAR ($7,300): Health has been the only thing to slow Malkin down during his 11-year career, and he's currently churning out points with ease. His current offensive binge is up to 13 goals and 32 shots over his past 23 games. Best of all, this salary doesn't match his truly dominant run or his top-ranked 3.68 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 750 minutes.
Phillip Danault, MON at NJD ($4,500): Projected to slide back between Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov on Friday, Danault is flirting with lineup-lock territory again. That trio has combined for a respectable 13.68 scoring chances per 60 minutes, but they've turned them into an underwhelming 1.41 goals per 60 minutes. Additionally, the linemates boast an unsustainably low .920 PDO.
WING
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. NAS ($6,400): Not only is playing with Connor McDavid helping Draisaitl, but the versatile 21-year-old forward is also seeing an uptick in minutes (20:58 per game with 2:57 on the power play over his past 13 outings). Draisaitl and McDavid have combined for a solid 3.27 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and the duo matches up against Nashville on the wrong end of consecutive road games. This is particularly important because the Predators are missing their top two blueliners and are likely to start Pekka Rinne on Friday. Rinne has an underwhelming .906 save percentage and 2.75 GAA over his past 17 outings, after all.
Thomas Vanek, DET at BUF ($5,300): Going back to where it all began for Vanek, the polarizing winger has a nice narrative going for him Friday. Not that he needs it. Vanek has found the scoresheet in 11 of his past 12 games for a total of seven goals, 14 points and 28 shots. He also boasts a third-ranked 3.62 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with 400 minutes. Yes, you read that correctly, and no, his price does not reflect his elite production this year.
Jake Guentzel, PIT at CAR ($4,400): Expect Guentzel to be the low-priced target of the day and carry a high ownership percentage. It's warranted with the rookie, though. He's
locked into a cushy role alongside Evgeni Malkin and looked the part of an emerging scorer with four goals and six points through seven games. While not rewarded with fantasy points, the freshman's rambunctiousness (12 hits through the past two games) can be disruptive for opponents and open space for Malkin -- always a good thing.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. DET ($5,600): This is a ripe setting for Ristolainen to kick a four-game point drought. Detroit allows 3.23 goals per road game and the seven-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.03) away from Joe Louis Arena. Additionally, Ristolainen logs huge minutes (26:43 with 3:35 on the power play) and provides a nice fantasy floor with his peripheral coverage (97 shots and 96 blocked shots through 44 games).
Ryan Ellis, NAS at EDM ($4,400): With a deep defensive corps, Ellis has never been handed a top offensive role or quarterbacked the No. 1 power-play unit. That's no longer the case. The Predators are without Roman Josi (undisclosed) and P.K. Subban (upper body), which is a significant fantasy boon for Ellis. He showcased his upside Thursday against Calgary with two goals, three shots and three blocked shots over 27:54 of ice time. Edmonton has also allowed the fifth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.56).
