This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Wednesday brings with it five NHL games. That's on the scant side, but there are still values to be found for your DraftKings lineups. Let's illuminate some of the best ones to give you a leg up.
GOALIE
Tuukka Rask, BOS at DET ($7,500): The Bruins are only allowing 26.7 shots on goal per game, which is part of why Rask has a sterling 2.03 GAA. Detroit, meanwhile, is averaging a meager 2.43 goals per contest. In addition to the Bruins being favored to win, it seems unlikely the Wings will give Rask too much of a difficult day in net.
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG vs. ARI ($6,500): Scheifele is having a fine season, averaging 3.5 fantasy points per game. There's no reason to believe he can't perform at that rate against the lowly Coyotes. Arizona gives up a league-worst 33.6 shots on goal per game and allows 3.16 goals per tilt. Scheifele's big power-play role also helps against a Coyotes team that's 27th on the penalty kill.
David Krejci, BOS at DET ($5,500): Detroit's Jared Coreau has gotten his GAA under 3.00, but he's still a 25-year-old rookie with a .911 save percentage who plays for a Wings team that's allowed 2.89 goals per game this season. Krejci has 10 goals on 103 shots in 47 games, and he could also chip in on the power play. He's playing 3:02 a night with the extra man, where he already has one more goal (five) than he did last year, and his substandard shooting percentage should experience positive regression.
WING
Blake Wheeler, WPG vs. ARI ($6,200): Wheeler has been taking a ton of shots recently, registering 38 of them in his last 10 games. Overall, he's taken 142 shots in 47 contests and is averaging a career-best 20:02 of ice time. The veteran's quite likely to notch a few shots on goal against the Coyotes, giving him a solid floor, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him add to his 13 goals.
Radim Vrbata, ARI at WPG ($5,100): It's not like the Winnipeg defenders are likely to be much of a challenge for the Coyotes either. The Jets are allowing 3.06 goals per game, and they rank 26th in penalty-kill percentage. Vrbata, the one reliable Coyotes forward right now, has taken 125 shots in 43 contests, and he's averaging 2:52 per game with the extra man. When these two teams played on Jan. 13, Vrbata notched three assists, for what that's worth.
Milan Lucic, EDM vs. FLA ($4,800): The Panthers will be on the second night of a back-to-back, which likely means James Reimer (2.61 GAA, .916 save percentage) in net. Florida has also given up a surprising 31.3 shots on goal per game this year. Lucic has been a little cold recently, but he's taken 103 shots in 46 games and tallied 13 power-play points as well. He's quite reasonably priced, too, making him a good buy-low candidate.
DEFENSEMEN
Jeff Petry, MON vs. PIT ($4,700): Petry is enjoying a breakout season, as he enters play Tuesday currently averaging 3.3 fantasy points per Meanwhile, tame. The Penguins are letting up 3.02 goals per game, and they're also allowing 32.5 shots per tilt. Petry has taken 105 shots net in 44 games, but he's also blocked 79. Pittsburgh leads the league in shots on goal per game (34.7) so Petry should have plenty of chances to get in the way.
Jacob Trouba, WPG vs. ARI ($4,600): At this point, the Coyotes' proclivity for giving up shots and goals has been well established. Trouba, for his part, is averaging a career-high 24:00 per game. He's scored two goals on 68 shots, which gives him an anomalously low 2.9 shooting percentage. He's never had one lower than 4.5 over a full season, so improved puck luck could be coming his way. Against Arizona, there's a good chance of that happening.
