This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
With the playoffs in sight, make sure to take advantage of the large daily fantasy hockey contests while all 30 teams are still taking the ice.
A couple promotions highlight this week's options, while Anaheim's glaringly soft schedule offers some promise. After losing consecutive games, the Ducks have scary upside as they look to enter the second season in form.
Here are your weekly value recommendations.
C: Brandon Pirri, Anaheim Ducks, $3,900
Following a breakout showing with three points and seven shots Thursday, expect Pirri to be a chalky play in the coming weeks. Still, the 22-goal scorer from a year ago is being leaned on heavily for offense with David Perron (shoulder) sidelined.
Pirri skated with Ryan Getzlaf in all situations last time out, including on the No. 1 power-play unit, and given his output Thursday, it's unlikely he loses his favorable role in short order. This is especially true because of the cushy upcoming schedule Anaheim draws. Road dates with Ottawa and Edmonton are followed by home games against Calgary, Vancouver, Dallas and Winnipeg.
Sticking in Anaheim, winger Jamie McGinn ($4,000) warrants a recommendation as well. He is also rolling with the No. 1 power-play unit and has five goals through his past five games with 12 shots on net. These cost-effective options from the Ducks project to fare well through this ripe run in the schedule.
W: Anthony Mantha, Detroit Red Wings, $3,000
The buy-low window won't have time to close before the regular season ends, but Mantha is being deployed in a way that's helping him succeed. Lining up primarily with veteran Pavel Datsyuk is an obvious plus, and the rookie is starting 61.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Mantha has averaged 1:53 of power-play ice time through his first five games, and he has found the scoresheet in consecutive outings. Additionally, the 21-year-old winger provides a nice floor with his 14 shots. And while the sample size is small, Mantha's 57.1 CorsiFor percentage is perhaps most encouraging.
The highly regarded prospect showed well in the American Hockey League this season (21 goals and 24 assists through 56 games), and has proven the highest stage isn't too big early in his debut. Take the savings and start him confidently as a source of cap relief through the end of the season.
D: Jacob Trouba, Winnipeg Jets, $4,400
There is an injury disclaimer here after Trouba (foot) temporarily left the game Thursday following a blocked shot. However, with the Winnipeg blue line reeling with injuries, Trouba will continue to see elevated minutes and stands to finish the season strong.
Trouba had a helper, a shot on net and five blocked shots Thursday, and he has averaged 24:09 of ice time through his past eight outings, including skating more than three minutes on the power play in consecutive games.
The third-year defenseman has declined offensively this season, but that's likely due to his usage behind Tyler Myers (knee) for much of the campaign. With Myers finished for the year, Trouba's game-breaking upside should appear again down the stretch. Remember that Trouba posted 17 goals and 34 assists through his first 130 games, with 254 shots and 252 blocked shots to boot.
G: John Gibson and Frederik Andersen, Anaheim Ducks, $7,700 and $7,900
The duo has played the "no, you be No. 1" game in each of their past outings. Gibson coughed up four goals in losing fashion to Montreal, and then Andersen allowed six tallies to Toronto. However, as noted earlier, the Ducks' schedule is extremely favorable over the next six games.
Before their recent hiccups, Gibson was on a 5-2-1 run with a .925 save percentage and 1.91 GAA, while Andersen owned a 15-1-1 record with a .936 save mark and 1.80 GAA. Life in the blue paint behind the Ducks has been extremely kind to both.
The prices are far too low for their production, but perhaps that's because their accumulated totals are low given their timeshare. However, the importance in the daily racket is the per-game numbers, which are spectacular in this case. At their discounted salaries, Gibson and Andersen are strong starts for the next week and a half.
