This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Kick the work week off right with a little daily fantasy hockey action. There are four NHL games Monday, which leaves you with a decent number of players to choose from. Some players look like better options than others, though, and here are some of them.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR at TAM ($7,900): Lundqvist's overall numbers aren't great, but over his last 18 games he's posted a 2.28 GAA and a .928 save percentage. He also gets a lot of goal support, as the Rangers are fourth in the league in goals per game (3.18). Additionally, you don't need to worry about the fact New York is on the road, as the Rangers are 22-8-0 away from Madison Square Garden.
CENTER
Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS vs. DAL ($6,400): The Stars have allowed 3.20 goals per game, and their goalies have a collective save percentage of .895, a woefully low number. Beyond that, Dallas also has the league's worst penalty kill. Kuznetsov has averaged 2:05 per game on the power play, and he's tallied 11 points with the extra man. He's also been playing well recently, as he's tallied 12 points in his last 14 games. Kuznetsov has started 36.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is fourth most on the Capitals. Getting that many opportunities in Dallas' zone could certainly pay off, given the Stars' defensive issues.
Tomas Hertl, SAN at WPG ($4,500): Hertl has missed a lot of time with injury, but when he plays he's a formidable offensively minded player. He's started 35.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second most of any Sharks forward. Hertl has averaged a career-high 16:55 in ice time, and he's put 73 shots on goal in 32 games. The Jets have allowed 30.7 shots on goal per game, and they've given up 3.11 goals per contest. Winnipeg was even worse in February, as they gave up a disastrous 3.73 goals per contest.
WING
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs. DAL ($6,900): Oshie, like Hertl, has had issues staying on the ice. However, when he's played he's been excellent. Recently, he missed four games, but before that he posted six goals and five assists over 10 tilts. Oshie has averaged 2:50 per game with the extra man, and he's tallied nine points (including six goals) in that time. As previously mentioned, the Stars are cellar dwellers in the penalty-kill rankings.
Chris Kreider, NYR at TAM ($5,400): Kreider has tallied 24 goals in 59 games, which is already a career high. He's done that on 150 shots on net, and he's started 34.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. That's the most of any Rangers forward. The Lightning have allowed 2.77 goals per game, and they've given up 30.1 shots on net per contest. Kreider has also averaged 2:36 per game with the extra man, and Tampa Bay has the 22nd-ranked penalty kill. He's averaged 3.3 fantasy points per game, and there's reason to believe he can keep up that pace against the Lightning.
Justin Williams, WAS vs. DAL ($5,100): As noted, the Stars have allowed 3.20 goals per game, third-most in the NHL, and they also have the worst penalty kill in the league. They haven't gotten any better as the season has gone along either, as they gave up 3.58 goals per contest in February. Williams' production has gone up and down this season, but he does have 19 goals and 17 assists in 63 games. In a great matchup like this one, Williams could easily find himself having another fine fantasy day, and he's priced in a way that can really provide bang for your buck.
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, WAS vs. DAL ($5,000): With only four games on the docket, and with Dallas being such a favorable matchup, it's easy to want to load up on Capitals. It also seems like a smart plan. Since becoming a Capital, Shattenkirk has one point, which came on the power play. More notably, though, he's averaged 4:59 per game with the extra man in Washington. That's very enticing considering this matchup with the Stars who, as you may have heard, have the worst penalty kill in the league.
Dion Phaneuf, OTT vs. BOS ($4,300): Boston has been quite good defensively, although their 2.61 goals per game only ranks 15th in the league. Phaneuf's offensive production has been good, as he's tallied 26 points, and he's notched 135 shots on net in 63 games. However, what makes him particularly enticing in this matchup is his shot-blocking acumen, as he has blocked 122 shots this season. The Bruins have attempted 62.1 shots per 60 minutes on average, which tops the league. That bodes well for Phaneuf's chances of getting in front of a few pucks, which could be enough to make him well worth this price point.
