This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
After a 14-game jamboree Thursday, there's only one game on the schedule Friday, as the Blue Jackets will visit the Blackhawks at 8:00 p.m. EST. Below, you'll find an overview of the matchups and suggested options for crafting an effective lineup in this single-game Showdown contest.
SLATE PREVIEW
Columbus is off to a 3-2-3 start while playing coach John Tortorella's trademark defense-first system. Chicago has tightened things up defensively after a rough start on that end but is still allowing 3.38 goals per game overall en route to a 2-3-3 record. This will be the second game in as many nights for the Blue Jackets.
GOALIES
Kevin Lankinen, CHI vs. CLS ($11,400): Lankinen has been by far the best performer in Chicago's early-season goaltending competition, going 2-0-2 with a 2.18 GAA and .931 save percentage. He has likely earned the starting job moving forward and is worth a look in what should be a low-scoring affair.
Joonas Korpisalo, CLS at CHI ($10,400): Korpisalo should get the start after Elvis Merzlikins got the nod for Thursday's 3-2 shootout win over the Panthers. While his 1-1-2 record is nothing to write home about, Korpisalo has an excellent 2.45 GAA and .928 save percentage. He'll be the chalk play for your Captain spot with the Blue Jackets slightly favored in this one.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Andrew Shaw, CHI vs. CLS ($5,200): Shaw skates on Chicago's top power-play unit, and all three of his points have come courtesy of that prominent role with the extra man. He's a bargain as Chicago's eighth-priciest skater.
Mikko Koivu, CLS at CHI ($2,200): Koivu took a while to make his Blue Jackets debut, but the longtime Wild center has made an instant impact with his new team. He dished out a helper in his first game with the team then scored a goal in his second game Thursday. Koivu will look to stretch his point streak to three against a familiar foe in Chicago.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Blackhawks vs. Blue Jackets
Pius Suter (C - $8,000), Patrick Kane (W - $11,800), Mattias Janmark (W - $5,000)
Kane is the most gifted offensive player in this game and has a 3-4-7 line through eight games. He's the chalk play for your Captain spot if you're not using a goalie there. Suter has earned the top-line center role with some strong performances early in his career, registering a hat trick and three games with at least four shots on net through his first eight. The affordable Janmark has held his own on Chicago's top line, lighting the lamp in three of his last four games.
Blue Jackets at Blackhawks
Alexandre Texier (C - $6,200), Oliver Bjorkstrand (W - $7,600), Nick Foligno (W - $5,800)
This line has provided the majority of the offense for Columbus this season. Texier and Bjorkstrand are tied for the team lead with six points apiece, and Texier also holds the team lead with four goals. Foligno is one back of Texier in goals, while Bjorkstrand and Boone Jenner are the only other Blue Jackets with more than one.
DEFENSEMEN
Zach Werenski, CLS at CHI ($6,800): Werenski has just one goal on 22 shots in the early going, but last year's leader in goals among defensemen with 20 should start to convert at a higher rate as the season unfolds. He scored on 10.7 of his shots last season and is a career 7.7 percent shooter.
Nikita Zadorov, CHI vs. CLS ($4,400): Zadorov is a high-floor option on the back end, having skated at least 18 minutes in six of Chicago's first eight games. He has just one assist but has nine shots and 10 blocks in his last six games, so the big-bodied Russian blueliner can be relied upon for consistent modest contributions.
