GOALIE
Cal Petersen, LA vs. COL ($6,800): If you haven't noticed Petersen yet, you should, because it looks like the Kings have found a new heir. Petersen is the goalie who set an NCAA record for saves in a single game with 87, and was named to the AHL All-Star Game as a rookie last season. The Avs offense is explosive, but Petersen clearly doesn't mind a heavy workload. He's the cheapest goalie starting Wednesday and the upside is tremendous.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF vs. PHI ($7,400): Eichel has been spearheading the team's resurgence with 24 points in 21 games, and even though he's scored just five goals, the last one came in overtime against Pittsburgh and extended their winning streak. He now has five points in three games, and Philly's planning on starting rookie Alex Lyon. I think he will be the best value pick among the five most-expensive centers.
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs. STL ($4,900): A coaching change won't save the Blues' goaltending woes, and Johansen has been quite good against them with seven points in the last nine games. He's not a high-volume shooter and he doesn't block many shots, so there will be nights where he doesn't show up on the scoresheet, but he's worth the gamble.
WING
Mitch Marner, TOR at CAR ($7,300): Even without Auston Matthews, the Leafs didn't skip a beat, and Marner is putting the league on notice with points in five straight games. Carolina can be a tough opponent and doesn't take a lot of penalties, but Marner has scored all but two of his points at even strength during his hot streak.
Max Pacioretty, VGK at ARI ($4,800): The Coyotes defense has been ravaged by injuries, forced to play two rookies and a 26-year-old journeyman, and over the past two games, Pacioretty has doubled the number of goals he's scored this season. Scoring has not been a problem for Vegas recently, and Pacioretty's shooting percentage has climbed back up to last year's number, though it's still below his career average.
Jake Virtanen, VAN at ANA ($4,100):Sam Gagner looked okay in his return, but the hope is that Virtanen will return to the spot where he was most successful: Elias Petterson's wing. Virtanen has gone three games without a goal but tallied eight shots and continues to be one of the team's most dangerous scorers with his speed. The Ducks are bare on the blue line with three rookies in the lineup, as well.
DEFENSE
Matt Dumba, MIN vs. OTT ($6,000): Dumba has quietly crept into the conversation as one of the game's most exciting young defensemen, and he's scored three goals and two assists in his last four games. Ottawa's aggressive style leads to a lot of chances going against them, and with its lack of quality depth on the blue line and inconsistent goaltending, Dumba should have a productive night.
Neal Pionk, NYR vs. NYI ($5,200): He's already become an indispensable player for the Rangers and is clearly a top-four caliber defenseman in the NHL. Pionk is logging big minutes and has scored 13 points in 19 games this season, including four in the last four. The Islanders have allowed four or more goals in five of their past six games and allow a lot of unblocked shots from the point.
