This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The NHL has eight games on tap for Thursday. Two of the early games are expected to be coin flips, according to Vegas, but six of the games are projected to be blowouts. There are some awful penalty-kill units set to skate, so take advantage.
Let's get started.
GOALIE
Matt Murray, PIT vs. WPG ($8,200): The Jets have been struggling lately, allowing 3.81 goals per game over their past 16 outings. As such, Murray will have more than enough support in his pursuit of 22nd victory of the season. He has been slightly better at home than on the road, posting a 2.20 GAA with a .932 save percentage as well as two of his three shutouts in Pittsburgh. The Penguins are about as sure a thing as there is on Thursday's big board, so Murray should be in good shape for another win. [Update: Marc-Andre Fleury is now listed as the starter Thursday night. He's also been much better at home than on the road -- 11-2-1 with a .924 save mark. - Ed.]
CENTER
Kevin Hayes, NYR at NYI ($5,600): Hayes has lit the lamp in two straight games heading into Thursday, and he carries a four-game point streak into play. As such, he's a fantastic value at this price level, especially facing an Islanders team that coughed up seven goals last time out. Hayes will chip in with a handful of shots on goal, too.
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. COL ($5,700): O'Reilly and the Sabres put the league's No. 2 power-play unit on display against the NHL's sixth-worst penalty-kill unit. He has three goals with seven points in eight outings during February, including two power-play points. O'Reilly will have added incentive to stay hot in this matchup with the organization where he spent his first six years in the league, and the Avs' struggles don't hurt his case.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT vs. WPG ($6,500): Phil the Thrill is working on a three-game lamp-lighting streak, and now he'll face a team that's allowed three or more goals in eight straight road outings and 15 of its past 16 games overall. Kessel is also one to watch on the power play, as the Jets rank 27th in penalty-kill percentage (.770) through 59 games. The Jets also rank 28th in the league in high-danger save percentage, so look for Kessel and company to run wild.
Anders Lee, NYI vs. NYR ($5,700): Lee has been an outstanding value lately, burying four goals with nine points over his past seven games. He's exceeded his average DraftKings point output in five of his past seven outings while climbing to third on the Islanders in points; he leads the club with 21 goals. While teammate John Tavares gets all of the headlines, Lee has quietly picked up a team-high seven power-play points. He remains a great value unbeknownst to most casual DFS players.
Nino Niederreiter, MIN vs. DAL ($5,500): Niederreiter leads Minnesota's explosive offense in power-play goals, and the Wild should add to their totals against the league's worst penalty-kill unit. Dallas goaltenders have coughed up a league-high 50 power-play goals, posting a league-worst .741 save percentage in shorthanded situations. El Nino has managed four goals with six points over his past five outings, and six of his eight power-play markers have come on home ice.
DEFENSE
Drew Doughty, LA vs. ARI ($5,600): Doughty is fifth on the board in fantasy points per game (3.3) among rearguards, but he isn't in the same salary neighborhood as the other top options. He has eight goals with 32 points and a plus-13 rating, also contributing with 80 blocked shots. The Kings should show out against a Coyotes penalty-kill unit ranking 26th in the league with a dismal .773 save percentage. Even though the Coyotes have been improved lately, they're also second-to-last in the league in high-danger save percentage.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. COL ($5,900): Ristolainen has emerged as a dependable DFS option thanks to his high rate of blocked shots and decent offensive production. The Finnish rearguard has sacrificed his body 130 times over 57 games, and he's managed four goals with 29 assists while also chipping in with a handful of penalty minutes. He also checks in tied for third in the league with 17 power-play assists, so Ristolainen is a jack of all trades who should do well against the team with the league's worst goal differential (minus-75).
