This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's a busy nine-game night in the NHL on Tuesday. Here are a handful of selections across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NAS vs. COL ($7,900): After going 9-1-2 with a .949 save percentage and a 1.49 GAA in November, Rinne was shelled for five goals in an overtime loss Saturday to the Devils. View this as a bounce-back spot for the 34-year-old. The Avalanche have registered the sixth-fewest high-dangers scoring chances per 60 minutes (8.81) and scored the second-fewest goals per game (2.13) in the league. Additionally, Nashville is 8-2-2 at home while allowing just 1.83 goals per game.
CENTER
Bryan Little, WPG vs. DET ($5,400): Mark Scheifele's status is worth monitoring as he deals with an undisclosed injury, but Little is a nice value play regardless. He's posted three goals and a helper through his past three games while centering the No. 1 line. In the event Scheifele returns, Little would still likely slot back onto the second line and face softer matchups while playing with long-time linemate Blake Wheeler.
Adam Henrique, NJD vs. VAN ($4,700): The Canucks have allowed the fifth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.1) this season, and they're 3-7-1 with 2.91 goals against per game on the road. Henrique is expected to center Taylor Hall, which makes the pivot an against-the-grain flier that receives a fantasy boost alongside the star winger.
WING
Jamie Benn, DAL vs. CGY ($7,000): Home-road splits should never be taken as locked-in predictors of future results, but it's tough to ignore Benn's strong play in Dallas. After all, he has 32 goals and 60 points through 52 games over the past two years at the American Airlines Center. With a fifth-ranked 3.09 points per 60 minutes over the past four years among skaters with at least 4,000 minutes, Benn's salary doesn't match his proven track record either.
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at BUF ($6,100): Over the past two seasons, Draisaitl has posted 2.07 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five, which rank 25th in the league among skaters with at least 1,000 minutes. He's also scorching hot of late with 13 points, including seven goals, through his past 11 games, and playing with star Connor McDavid in all fantasy situations makes Draisaitl a high-end fantasy option. Buffalo being on the wrong end of back-to-back games helps, too.
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. NYR ($5,200): Expected to line up with John Tavares at five-on-five, Nelson grabs a huge value boost alongside the star pivot. Additionally, when digging deeper, this is a soft matchup. The Rangers are allowing the fourth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.11), and their league-high 104.8 road PDO is eyeing negative regression. It sets up nicely for Nelson to return value while having limited ownership.
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. MON ($5,600): With a fourth-ranked 1.9 points per 60 minutes among defenseman over the past three years, Shattenkirk is an elite offensive rearguard. On paper this might seem like a daunting matchup, but Montreal is playing the final leg of a five-game road trip and have allowed the sixth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes this season. Shattenkirk presents value and contrarian appeal Tuesday.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at BUF ($5,000): Buffalo left a lot on the ice during an overtime loss to Washington on Monday, so this checks out as a cushier spot for Edmonton on Tuesday. After a nice run in late November (five points, 19 shots and 22:56 of ice time per night over a five-game span), Klefbom has failed to register a shot on net over his past three games. Expect him to carry a low ownership percentage and return value on his modest salary Tuesday.
