This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are just four games in the NHL on Friday, and Pittsburgh, Dallas and Winnipeg are on the second leg of back-to-back sets. With that in mind, here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN vs. DAL ($8,200): Despite a .933 save percentage and 1.79 GAA in his last nine starts, Jones has just four wins. The offense shouldn't let him down Friday, though. Dallas is on the wrong end of consecutive road games, and the Stars entered Thursday against Chicago with the worst team save percentage (.894) in the league while surrendering the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.97) and allowing the most goals per game (3.66). If Aaron Dell ($8,000) starts, he's a worthwhile pivot.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. WPG ($6,700): With five goals, 15 helpers and six multi-point showings in his last 14 games, Getzlaf is in the midst of his best offensive stretch of the campaign. He also lands in a favorable matchup with Winnipeg traveling to the Honda Center on the second leg of back-to-back road games after allowing five goals to Los Angeles on Thursday. Additionally, Getzlaf centering Rickard Rakell at even strength is a significant boon for the pass-first pivot.
Joe Thornton, SAN vs. DAL ($4,800): After posting a point-per-game showing last year, Thornton has really cooled off this season with just six goals and 42 helpers. Add his low-shot volume (1.04 shots per game) and his fantasy floor is low. However, his salary is more than reasonable considering the talent he shares the ice with as the No. 1 center and member of the top power-play unit. As noted, the matchup is also enticing.
WING
Joe Pavelski, SAN vs. DAL ($7,000): A high-risk, high-reward contributor lately, Pavelski has 10 goals and six assists in his last 16 games with six multi-point showings and eight pointless nights. Additionally, the veteran has just a single assist and four shots in his last four games. With a soft matchup, look for a bounce-back night from Pavelski.
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. WPG ($6,300): Sporting a six-game point streak with five goals, three helpers and 21 shots, Rakell continues to provide high-end offensive results. He sports a second-ranked 1.77 goals per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 500 minutes played. The Jets are also in a weak schedule spot, which should help Rakell's upside and floor.
Joshua Ho-Sang, NYI at PIT ($3,700): The freshman is a source of cap relief with upside. Ho-Sang has acclimatized himself to the highest level quickly with three goals and seven points in his last eight games, after all. The Penguins have allowed the fourth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.97) in their last 25 games, too, so this is a nice sneaky spot with Pittsburgh playing its second game in consecutive nights.
DEFENSE
Nick Leddy, NYI at PIT ($4,900): In the midst of a modest run, Leddy has collected two goals, eight points, 14 shots and nine blocked shots in his past 11 games. He quarterbacks the No. 1 power-play unit and grabs a soft matchup against the Penguins. Leddy's offensive track record is also solid, as his 1.39 points per 60 minutes in the last three seasons rank 12th among all defenseman with at least 5,000 minutes.
Josh Morrissey, WPG at ANA ($3,700): A low-priced flier, Morrissey has logged more ice with Winnipeg's defense corps dealing with multiple injuries. The rookie has registered a goal, two points, eight shots and 12 blocked shots while averaging 23:02 of ice time (2:25 on the power play) over his last five games. He's likely best utilized as a contrarian option, though.
