This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
We have a 12-game slate in the NHL this Thursday, and it's a good idea to diversify your DFS lineup. There are plenty of studs you will want in your starting grid, and you'll be able to afford them with a handful of mid-tier to low-priced studs with plenty of upside. Target defensemen with big shot-blocking numbers against teams that rank in the top half of the league in shots; you'll rarely be disappointed.
Let's get started.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at CAR ($8,000): Dubnyk ranks third in the NHL with a 2.11 GAA while checking in second in save percentage (.930) and victories (36). He'll likely add to his strong numbers against the sliding Hurricanes, who've won just once in the past five home games and four times over their past 16 outings. The Wild have won six straight meetings in this series, and you can expect that trend to continue.
CENTER
Bo Horvat, VAN vs. DAL ($4,700): Horvat is an outstanding low-cost value Thursday, as he logs plenty of time on the power play. While the All-Star hasn't been producing much in the way of offense lately, he'll be facing the league's worst penalty-kill unit (73.9 percent) when the Stars come calling. He already has a goal and two assists in his two previous meetings with the Stars this season.
Mark Scheifele, WPG at NYI ($6,500): Scheifele is showing no signs of slowing down lately, posting three goals and eight assists over his past nine outings. In fact, the only thing keeping Scheifele from producing lately is the snow, which wiped out Tuesday's game in New Jersey. The Jets have had an unscheduled couple of days off, so Scheifele should be rested and raring to go against an Islanders defense that's given up 17 goals in the last four games.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. TOR ($8,000): Kucherov was blanked last time out against the Senators, but he's rolled up 10 goals and 20 points over his past 11 games to single-handedly carry the Lightning back into the playoff picture. The Maple Leafs have been toasted for 27 goals over their past eight games, and Kucherov has a goal and five points in two previous meetings this season against the Leafs. You should be able to squeeze Kucherov into the lineup with a handful of other lower-priced bargains on the board, and you'll be glad you did.
David Pastrnak, BOS at EDM ($6,900): Pastrnak's name might not come up when casual hockey fans discuss the most prolific scorers in the league, but he's already notched 30 goals with 62 points through 63 games, including a two-goal effort in Calgary on Wednesday. He's working on a 10-game point streak, posting five goals and nine assists, and yet he comes with a very reasonable price tag.
Tanner Pearson, LOS vs. BUF ($5,500): Pearson has managed no goals and one assist over his past five games, but consider him a contrarian play for Thursday's outing against the Sabres. He logs time on the top power-play unit in La La Land, and he'll be facing the league's 29th-ranked penalty-kill unit.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. CHI ($7,500): Karlsson does a little bit (well, actually, a lot) of everything, logging 13 goals with 62 points while also leading the NHL with 185 blocked shots. In fact, he has 17 more blocks than any other player in the league. He should be kept busy at the defensive end against a Chicago offense averaging more than 30 shots per contest. The Blackhawks also rank 26th in the penalty-killing department, so Karlsson has a good chance of etching his name on the scoresheet via the power play.
Jaccob Slavin, CAR vs. MIN ($3,900): Slavin continues to be a great bargain for DFS players, having picked up three goals and nine points over his past nine games. While his offense has been solid, most of that production came with a three-goal, four-point effort at the Islanders on Monday. His biggest benefit to fantasy owners is his willingness to sacrifice his body, as he has rolled up 135 blocked shots through 67 games, including 12 over the past six contests. Minnesota averages 30.8 shots per game, so there will be plenty of opportunity for Slavin to add a few more black-and-blue marks.
