This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Daily players will want to keep tabs on the latest news to be best prepared for Thursday's action after a number of key players went down with injuries over the past few days. With 10 games and a deep player pool, here are a handful of options across multiple salary ranges to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. NJD ($7,800): The Devils cross the continent without star Taylor Hall (knee) to face the fully equipped Ducks, which sets up nicely for Gibson and Anaheim. New Jersey enters averaging a 23rd-ranked 2.4 goals per game and just 17.9 scoring chances per 60 minutes, the league's second-worst mark – and that's with Hall in the lineup. Gibson also boasts a sterling 25-13-3 record with a .925 save percentage and 2.08 GAA at the Honda Center for his carer.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at PHI ($7,300): At this salary, you're fading Scheifele at your own risk. He's leading the league in points (21) while averaging 2.5 shots per night, and the Flyers have allowed the most goals per game in the league (3.53). Dating back to last season, Scheifele now has 69 points over his past 64 games. It's a long track record.
Tyler Johnson, TAM at BUF ($5,000): With Steven Stamkos (knee) out, Johnson ascends to the top of the depth chart as the No. 1 center. It's been an underwhelming start to the season for Johnson, but if Nikita Kucherov returns to his flank, Johnson's fantasy value points straight up. The duo has combined for a solid 3.71 goals for per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
WING
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at PHI ($5,300): Scorching hot, Ehlers has clicked alongside Mark Scheifele and Patrik Laine, which has resulted in 12 points -- two goals -- through the past seven games. Ehlers has also averaged 2.29 shots per game and 3:04 of power-play time during that span. This salary presents significant upside as a means of mitigating the higher prices of Scheifele or Laine, and especially because of the aforementioned cushy matchup.
Radim Vrbata, ARI at VAN ($5,000): While there is clearly a narrative angle here with Vrbata returning to Vancouver for the first time since playing for the franchise, his play is more appealing. Vrbata has posted 11 points -- six goals -- and 43 shots through 15 games this year with a 29th-ranked 2.66 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Meanwhile, the Canucks have allowed the sixth-highest goals per game in the league (3.18).
Joe Colborne, COL at DAL ($3,500): Expected to play a top-line gig alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog, Colborne jumps off the page Thursday. He provides cap relief in a promising role, and the Stars have allowed the fifth-most goals per game (3.35) this year while posting a 26th-ranked .893 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. NAS ($7,300): Spending up for a defenseman in a deep player pool can provide your lineup with some differentiation, and Karlsson is an elite fantasy asset at an unreliable position. Additionally, Nashville has been a mess on the road, with a league-worst 66.7 penalty-kill percentage and four goals against per game. With 90 power-play points dating back to 2013-14, Karlsson projects favorably against the reeling Preds penalty kill.
Tyson Barrie, COL at DAL ($5,000): As noted, Dallas has allowed the fifth-most goals per game (3.35) with the 26th-ranked save percentage (.893) thus far. Barrie has underachieved offensively to start the season – he's averaged just 1.07 points per 60 minutes, down significantly from the 1.79 mark he posted over the previous three years. That said, Barrie has the talent to break out any day now, and you can employ him in your DraftKings lineup without breaking the bank.
