This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
For a Thursday in the National Hockey League, a six-game slate is a bit light. However, the No. 1 power-play unit of the Maple Leafs will be on display, as will as the No. 1 penalty-kill unit of the Bruins. And the two clubs with the worst goal differentials in the league, the Avalanche and Coyotes, will take to the ice.
There are plenty of opportunities to exploit despite the fact that 18 teams will be watching their television sets along with you, although perhaps not with as much enthusiasm as fans or DFS players with money on the line. I'm often getting dressed in the locker room at the Iceplex in Raleigh on Thursday nights before taking the ice myself, watching these games on NHL Center Ice and yelling at my phone like a person possessed. Hockey fans are a little out to lunch sometimes. Believe me, I get you.
Let's get started.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NAS vs. COL ($8,300): The Predators have a great matchup with the Avalanche, the NHL's worst team in terms of goal differential at minus-78. In fact, it isn't even close. Even if backup Juuse Saros ($8,100) draws the start, the Nashville netminder will be DFS gold on Thursday. The Avalanche have scored two or fewer goals in eight straight outings, averaging only 1.4 goals per game during that stretch, and they're just 7-19 in their past 26 road outings. Meanwhile, the Predators are 11-4 in their past 15 home battles against Colorado. That's great news for the fantasy prospects of the Nashville netminder.
CENTER
Mikael Backlund, CGY vs. TAM ($5,300): Backlund lit the lamp twice in Tuesday's game in Nashville, and now he sets his sights on the Tampa Bay crease. He has performed at a point-per-game clip over his past seven outings, posting three markers with four helpers. Using the two centers listed here will save you plenty of money for a top-notch goaltender and studs across the board at your other skater spots.
Calle Jarnkrok, NAS vs. COL ($3,500): Jarnkrok is a steal at this price level, as he has been red hot lately, potting four goals over his past seven outings. He's been even better at home, posting eight goals and 15 points in 30 games at Bridgestone Arena, compared to four goals and seven points in 29 road contests. Facing the defensively challenged Avalanche in Nashville gives him a good chance to continue that trend.
WING
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS vs. COL ($6,100): Arvidsson has posted 10 points over the past 10 games, although five of the goals came in two contests. You have to pick and choose your spots with Arvidsson, as he tends to pick up points in bunches. What better spot to continue that trend than against the league's worst team in terms of goal differential? The Avalanche have been outscored 192-114 through 58 games this season, and Arvidsson and his linemates have the potential to add to those woes.
Rick Nash, NYR at TOR ($5,700): Nash carries a three-game point streak into action, and he has a great chance of extending that streak against a Toronto team that's allowed 3.67 goals per game in 12 outings since the All-Star break. Nash's biggest drawback lately in standard fantasy is the fact that he's been even or negative in plus-minus in 12 of his past 14 games, but that's not a problem here since DraftKings doesn't use the category.
Ondrej Palat, TAM vs. CGY ($4,900): If you're looking for a mid-tier winger with some upside, roll the dice on Palat. He banged home a pair of goals Tuesday against the Oilers, and now he'll try his hand against Alberta's other club. Palat has been playing with a lot of confidence lately, posting three goals with six points over the past six outings. He'll also chip in with an occasional blocked shot, and he's averaged three shots on goal per game over the past three outings.
DEFENSE
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI at CHI ($4,800): Ekman-Larsson is without a goal in seven straight games, but he has posted six assists during that span while adding 16 blocked shots over his past 10 outings. OEL sees plenty of time along the blue line on the man advantage, posting seven power-play goals and 10 assists. That's good news for a guy who's facing a Chicago penalty-kill unit that ranks 28th in the NHL. While his shot rate is down this season and he isn't taking as many penalties, he continues to outperform salary expectations in DFS most nights.
Roman Josi, NAS vs. COL ($6,000): Josi is just one power-play goal short of tying his career high. Of his 30 points overall, 12 have come on the man advantage. He has been far more productive on home ice, posting six of his nine goals and 19 of his 30 points in the Music City. Josi has also rattled home four power-play goals at Bridgestone Arena, and he has an 8.2 shooting percentage in Nashville as opposed to just 3.7 percent on the road. The Avalanche rank 24th in the league on the penalty kill, so Josi should get ample opportunities to add to his totals on the man advantage.
