This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Monday represents the quarter-pole of the NHL season, at least if you actually use that phrase correctly. We are three-quarters of the way through this season, and that mark will be honored by three games on the slate. With 75 percent of the season in the books, here are some players that seem like enticing values for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. LOS ($8,300): In an earlier version of this article, the pick here was going to be Ben Bishop. Then, Bishop got traded to the Kings, so now the choice is Dubnyk. Yes, he's the most expensive goalie Monday, but he has earned that designation. He leads the league with a .933 save percentage, and he's second with a 2.01 GAA. The Kings, meanwhile, have only scored 2.44 goals per game. Now that Bishop is off the table, just spend the money for the security of Dubnyk.
CENTER
Derick Brassard, OTT at TAM ($4,800): With Bishop traded, Andrei Vasilevskiy (2.81 GAA, .901 save percentage) will be in net. Brassard has been enjoying a nice stretch of play, as he's tallied six points in his last six games. He also has only a 7.8 shooting percentage, which is well below his career rate of 11.1 percent. There's still time for his luck to turn around. To that end, he also only has six power-play points, even though he has averaged 2:34 per game with the extra man. Brassard's had at least 18 power-play points in his last three seasons, so that's another place where improvement could be expected. Tampa's penalty kill ranks 19th in the NHL, and that was with Bishop in net for some of the season, so perhaps Brassard will find some luck here.
Adam Henrique, NJD vs. MON ($4,300): Montreal has typically been good defensively, but in February they have allowed 2.91 goals per game. Overall, the Canadiens have the 21st-ranked penalty kill, and Henrique has eight power-play points while averaging 2:33 per game with the extra man. He gets better offensive opportunities than most, as he's started 32.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third most among New Jersey's forwards. Despite that, he's also blocked 55 shots in 61 games, a good number for a forward. The Canadiens rank fifth in the NHL in shot attempts per 60 minutes, so Henrique could get some shot-blocking attempts here. He's also quite cheap, which means it won't take much for him to pay off as a good value.
WING
Max Pacioretty, MON at NJD ($7,000): While there are technically three games Monday, one of them sees Minnesota and Los Angeles squaring off, and those two teams have both been outstanding at goal prevention. That makes that game one to largely avoid from a fantasy perspective if you can manage it. That's partially why it's worth spending this much money on Pacioretty. He's also having an outstanding year, of course, as he's notched 29 goals on 194 shots in 62 games. In his last seven games he has nine points and 28 shots on goal. The Devils have allowed 31.5 shots on net per contest, and they've also allowed 2.85 goals per game. Pacioretty has averaged 4.0 fantasy points per game, so even though he's pricey he's worth it, especially in this matchup.
Jonathan Drouin, TAM vs. OTT ($5,400): Drouin missed Tampa's last game with an illness, but that was back on Thursday, so he should be recovered by now. Ottawa will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and they've allowed 3.13 goals per game when playing on zero days of rest. Drouin has 15 power-play points in 51 games, and he's started a whopping 38.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, the most of any Tampa Bay forward. He also has five points and 18 shots on goal in his last seven contests.
Kyle Palmieri, NJD vs. MON ($4,900): It was pointed out earlier that Montreal's numbers have been worse in February. This is reflected by the fact that Carey Price has a 2.72 GAA and a .912 save percentage in his last 11 games. On the flip side of things, Palmieri has 10 points (including seven goals) in his last 10 games, and he's just as notably tallied 37 shots on goal in that time. Additionally, he has 16 power-play points, and Montreal has the 23rd-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Dion Phaneuf, OTT at TAM ($4,400): Phaneuf is still going strong, as he's averaged 3.0 fantasy points per game. In his last nine games he's tallied six points, and he also has 14 power-play points. Overall, he's tallied 125 shots on goal and 114 blocked shots in 60 games. The Lightning have the 19th-ranked penalty kill, and Phaneuf has shown his ability to contribute on both ends of the ice from a fantasy perspective.
Jeff Petry, MON at NJD ($4,300): Petry admittedly only has two points in his last 12 games, but he does have 17 shots on goal and 22 blocked shots in that time, so he's still had some fantasy value. Overall, he's had a strong season, as he has averaged 3.1 fantasy points per game even after this cold stretch. Plus, Petry has started 33 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is high for a defenseman, so the opportunities are still there. As previously mentioned, the Devils have allowed 2.85 goals and 31.5 shots on net per game.
