This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are many avenues to finding value, and since DraftKings' scoring settings emphasize offense, sub-$4,000 players are typically nothing more than dice rolls.
The return of Connor McDavid has the Oilers' fortunes trending up, and while he likely will present value for the upcoming week, the focus here is on a pair of his teammates.
Another superstar, Erik Karlsson, has been rolling all season, yet his cap hit still doesn't reflect his offensive dominance, especially considering he's a defenseman putting up star forward numbers.
Here are your value leans for next week's fantasy NHL action on DraftKings.
Forwards
C: J.T. Miller, New York Rangers, $4,100
A top-six role has enabled Miller to burst out offensively, and he has eight goals and a helper over his past eight games with 22 shots on net. The success has longer legs, though. Miller has 12 goals, five helpers and 39 shots through his latest 21 games and checks out as a solid secondary scorer.
He has been skating with Derick Brassard and Jesper Fast of late, and though the sample sizes are small, the numbers are impressive. At 5-on-5, Miller is at 3.60 goals per 60 minutes with Brassard and an incredible 5.60 with Fast.
At his cap hit, there is no reason not to turn to Miller as a source of cap relief, as he's finally receiving the chance to live up to the potential that made him a 2011 first-round selection.
W: Jordan Eberle, Edmonton Oilers, $4,900
Life flanking Connor McDavid has already been kind to Eberle. The winger has three goals, two assists and nine shots on net over the two games since the duo teamed up, and there's no reason to expect them to be separated anytime soon.
While doubters will highlight the A-plus matchups -- Columbus and Ottawa -- Eberle feasted on, the upcoming schedule isn't imposing, either. Dates with the Canadiens, Islanders, Devils and Maple Leafs aren't matchups to avoid, especially with no plus-minus risk and Edmonton's tendency to play high-event games.
The third wheel on the line, Benoit Pouliot, has played more with Eberle, and they've registered 2.78 goals per 60 minutes over the past two seasons. Mini-stacking two of the three linemates projects favorably in the immediate future, especially with them all currently undervalued.
Defense
Erik Karlsson, Ottawa Senators, $7,400
Currently tied for third in league scoring, Karlsson has to be viewed as a high-end value play nightly. After all, he has found the scoresheet in 17 of his past 22 games, with 23 points, 80 shots and 43 blocked shots in that span.
That adds up to an average f 4.89 DraftKings points per game for Karlsson, who typically spends about half of every game on the ice. His floor-ceiling combo makes him a viable option nightly, especially when his fellow top scorers are all significantly higher priced.
A date with the Maple Leafs is on deck, then less appealing meetings with the Lightning and Red Wings. It becomes extremely favorable through the next two weeks, though, so as long as Karlsson's price doesn't climb too high, you can continue to ante up with confidence.
Goalie
Cam Talbot, Edmonton Oilers, $6,900
The neutral-to-favorable upcoming schedule has already been highlighted, and while there is no denying Edmonton's leaky team defense, Talbot's recent run is impressive.
He's returned a .938 save percentage over his past 16 games with seven wins and nine showings of 5.8 or more DraftKings points. The entire team receives a huge boost with Connor McDavid back, and Talbot is the clear No. 1 in Edmonton after starting 13 of the past 15 games.
Upcoming matchups against Montreal, New Jersey and Colorado are all potential spots to utilize Talbot. Additionally, with Edmonton widely considered a black hole for fantasy purposes, Talbot's likely low ownership gives him contrarian upside.
