This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Cam Talbot, EDM vs. WAS ($7,500): Before allowing four goals to Dallas on Thursday, Talbot had surrendered just five tallies during a three-game road trip with stops in Chicago, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Oilers are on the brink of putting it all together, and this salary checks out as a buy-low price for their No. 1 netminder. The Capitals are also being given too much respect in this spot, as Washington has generated the second fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (8.6) at five-on-five, and Edmonton is allowing the fewest (8.4).
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM vs. WAS ($8,100): Not only are the Caps struggling to generate offense, they're also allowing the fourth most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.6) at five-on-five. Enter the most explosive talent in the league, and McDavid's price isn't prohibitive enough to ignore the superstar. He has the quietest 10 points and five goals in the league, and this soft matchup against an inexperienced defensive corps has the makings of a multi-point outburst.
Nathan MacKinnon, COL vs. CHI ($4,700): The 2013 first overall selection has just a single goal and 11 shots through his past six games. The Blackhawks will likely have backup Anton Forsberg in net and have allowed the second most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.0) at five-on-five this season. This is a bounce-back opportunity for MacKinnon, and his salary offers savings without sacrificing upside.
WING
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. LA ($6,900): Continuing to pick on teams struggling to limit opponents, the Kings have allowed the most high-danger scoring chances (13.1) at five-on-five in the league, and Pastrnak is a game removed from a four-game point streak that featured five goals and two helpers. Pastrnak is locked into a top offensive role, and he's also a high-volume shooter averaging 3.0 shots per contest for the campaign.
Max Pacioretty, MON vs. NYR ($5,600): Only two players have at least 30 goals, 60 points and 250 shots in each of the past four seasons: Pacioretty and Alex Ovechkin. So, while the Montreal winger has been off to a dreadful start (two goals through 10 games), his track record should carry more weight. Additionally, the Rangers have already confirmed Ondrej Pavelec is starting, and he owns a target-worthy .900 save percentage dating back to 2015-16. It's a nice matchup for Pacioretty's unsustainably low 4.7 shooting percentage to see positive regression, too.
Alex DeBrincat, CHI at COL ($3,400): The rookie spent the majority of Friday's game skating with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad atop the depth chart, so DeBrincat checks out as a potential low-priced flier against the Avs. Both teams are on the wrong end of back-to-back sets, so there could be lineup alterations, but Colorado will likely be starting backup Jonathan Bernier, and DeBrincat owns oodles of offensive upside. The Erie Otter product recorded 167 goals and 332 points through just 191 games in the OHL.
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom, EDM vs. WAS ($5,500): Through the past four games, Klefbom has recorded two assists, 11 shots and 16 blocked shots while averaging 26:42 of ice time (3:04 with the man advantage). He's locked in as power-play quarterback on the No. 1 unit and helps mitigate McDavid's salary in a mini-stack. As highlighted, this could prove to be a sneaky spot in which to dial up the Oilers.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. SAN ($4,800): This is a great home matchup for the Sabres, as San Jose is playing its fifth road contest in eight nights in the final leg of a five-game road trip. Ristolainen is a cross-category contributor who's averaging 27:29 of ice time per outing with 3:44 on the power play. This is a manageable salary, too.
