This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Petr Mrazek, DET vs. NYI ($7,000): The Czech netminder has recorded a 4-1-1 record, .958 save percentage and 1.30 GAA through his past seven appearances and grabs the Islanders on the second leg of a back-to-back road set. New York also enters in poor form with a 2-3-2 record while scoring just 2.25 goals per 60 minutes. Mrazek's salary also opens up oodles of spending room for skaters.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. DAL ($7,200): No. 87 has found an offensive grove with three goals, 21 assists, 36 shots and eight multi-point showings through his past 13 contests. The Stars project as a difficult matchup, but Dallas also played Thursday in Chicago, so it could prove to be a sneaky schedule spot. Plus, Crosby's proven to be a matchup-proof scorer at this stage of his carer.
Henrik Zetterberg, DET vs. NYI ($5,000): The veteran center has gone 15 games without a goal, and he's sporting a career-low 5.3 shooting percentage this season. As noted, the Islanders project to be a favorable matchup with a league-high 3.65 goals and hefty 12.66 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes allowed on the road for the year. Look for a breakout showing from Zetterberg.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at NYR ($7,300): With the walls tumbling down around them, the Rangers have slumped to an active 1-7-0 record while allowing 4.38 goals per hour, so this sets up as a soft matchups for the Calgary attack. Gaudreau was an inconsistent road scorer through his first three seasons in the league, but that's changed in 2017-18. The pint-sized winger has flourished away from the Scotiabank Saddledome with 33 points through 25 away contests.
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. VAN ($6,200): While the Finn has recorded a modest three goals through five games since returning from a concussion, he's resumed his go-to scoring role alongside Jordan Staal and Teuvo Teravainen. The trio has combined for 5.38 goals per 60 minutes at home this season, and Vancouver isn't a daunting road opponent with 3.05 goals allowed per 60 minutes and a 46.87 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five away from Rogers Arena.
Jake Guentzel, PIT vs. DAL ($4,100): Projected to skate with Sidney Crosby in all situations, Guentzel's stock skyrockets. The duo combined for 4.31 goals per 60 minutes last season and were instrumental in Pittsburgh's championship run last spring. At this salary, Guentzel also presents excellent value.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. LA ($5,200): The Kings have likely overachieved on the road this season considering their underlying statistics: 12.2 high-danger scoring chances and 3.16 expected goals allowed per 60 minutes. This might also be a letdown spot with Los Angeles looking ahead to Saturday's test against Tampa Bay. As a result, Yandle checks out as a sneaky option. He's also in solid form with three goals, 10 points and 35 shots while logging 24:19 of ice time (3:22 with the man advantage) through his past 11 contests.
Niklas Kronwall, DET vs. NYI ($2,900): Probably best utilized in a stars-and-scrubs lineup approach, the low-priced flier projects to skate with the No. 1 power-play unit. It's a rare assignment for defensemen in his salary range. While he's collected just two goals, 11 assists and 41 shots through 49 games this season, this should be a cakewalk matchup for the Red Wings.
