This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Two-game slates are tough for daily players, as there's often little variance. Additionally, both of Friday's games could be low-scoring ones, so it's even more important to target high-volume shooters who log big minutes. Here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price points to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at CGY ($7,800): Since joining the Wild, Dubnyk owns a 68-41-10 record with a .928 save percentage and a 2.06 GAA, and he's been even better this year (9-6-2, .946 and 1.66). The Flames are averaging just 2.27 goals per game and 28.07 scoring chances per 60 minutes, which rank fifth- and third-lowest in the league, respectively. Just don't be surprised in Dubnyk is the highest-owned goalie by a significant margin Friday.
CENTER
Alex Galchenyuk, MON at SAN ($7,200): Among players with at least 200 minutes played this season, Galchenyuk's 3.41 points per 60 minutes rank sixth in the league and first in Friday's player pool. Although he's the most expensive center Friday, his salary is still reasonable, and while the matchup isn't ideal, it might also cause him to be under-owned. In general, Galchenyuk's high-end production might still be flying slightly under the radar.
Eric Staal, MIN at CGY ($6,000): The veteran pivot has 14 shots over his past three games without a goal, but that could change Friday. He's priced below the average salary and is averaging 19:14 per night with 2:39 of power-play time as the No. 1 offensive center for the Wild. The only downside is that Staal will likely carry a hefty ownership percentage.
WING
Joe Pavelski, SAN vs. MON ($7,400): Pavs has recorded 2.68 points and 8.92 shots per 60 minutes over the past three seasons, which rank 14th and 32nd among all skaters with at least 3,000 minutes played. The 32-year-old's salary isn't prohibitive enough to fade him in such a small player pool, and his current 9.1 shooting percentage is his lowest mark since the 2010-11 campaign.
Charlie Coyle, MIN at CGY ($5,400): Entering the season, Coyle averaged 1.64 shots per game during his career, but an uptick in volume (2.41 shots per game this year) has aided his offensive ascension in 2016-17. Through his past 11 games, he's registered five goals, eight points and 32 shots on net with an average ice time of 19:01, including 2:43 on the power play. It's tough to argue with the recent production and salary, especially when there's a favorable opponent on the docket. Calgary has allowed 2.92 goals per game this year, after all.
Paul Byron, MON at SAN ($5,000): As long as Byron is playing with Galchenyuk and Alexander Radulov, he remains a potential low-priced flier for daily players. The trio has registered 12.84 scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five. While Byron is currently mired in a four-game point drought with just four shots on net, his salary helps load up at other positions.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SAN vs. MON ($8,400): Many will save a few dollars with Shea Weber ($6,700), but Burns is the clear No. 1 defenseman in the player pool. Weber should spend the majority of his night facing off against the Sharks' top line, and Pavelski and Joe Thornton have combined for a 54.8 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five. With 2.11 points per 60 minutes, Burns paces all blueliners with at least 200 minutes over the past two seasons.
Jared Spurgeon, MIN at CGY ($4,900): Over his past eight games, Spurgeon has averaged 26:13 of ice time with 2:51 on the power play, registering 23 shots and 23 blocks in that span. As noted, Calgary has allowed 2.92 goals per game, which is the highest of the four teams taking the ice Friday, and the Flames own one of the league's worst penalty kills.
