This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Cam Talbot, EDM at OTT ($7,500) - Talbot's been excellent in March, posting a .936 save percentage with only two games less than .912. He'll get tons of goal support with the Oilers' offense clicking. Edmonton has scored 11 goals in its last two road games, and the Senators have been terrible on defense and in net, where expected starter Craig Anderson is showing his age and having the worst season of his career as a starter. Talbot allowed four goals on just 23 shots before getting pulled in the third period in his previous start against the Sens, but that was in the Oilers' fourth game of the season. Talbot has won five of his last six games.
CENTER
Steven Stamkos, TB at NYI ($7,600) - Expected starter Jaroslav Halak has a career .892 save percentage against the Lightning and heads into Thursday's matchup having lost eight consecutive games. Stamkos, meanwhile, has made a habit of exploiting the Islanders' terrible goaltending since entering the league, registering 13 goals and 32 points in 30 games with a plus-11 rating. After averaging less than a point per game from December to February, Stamkos has scored 14 points in nine games in March, including three points against the Sens and five points against the Flyers, both teams that have also had goaltending troubles all season.
Logan Couture, SJ vs. VGK ($6,100) - He's on a roll with three goals in his last four games, all of which were wins. It is just the third time in Couture's career he's scored 30 goals, and even though he's yet to score against Vegas this season, he could have a much easier time against Malcolm Subban, who's filling in for Marc-Andre Fleury after Fleury suffered an injury Tuesday against Vancouver. Tomas Hertl (three goals in four games) and Mikkel Boedker (four points in four games) have also been very productive playing on Couture's wings, making them a tough line to shut down.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS at DET ($7,900) - Ovechkin is on a five-game point streak and has scored in consecutive games. He has a good chance to extend that streak against Jimmy Howard and the Red Wings, who have allowed 16 goals in their last four games. Howard, by the way, has had a sub-.900 save percentage in five of his last six games, and through seven games in March is 1-5-1 with a 3.78 GAA. Ovechkin has already scored twice in two games against the Wings this season, pushing his career numbers to 21 points in 22 games.
Mikko Rantanen, COL vs. LA ($7,000) - We know Jonathan Quick is tough to beat, especially when the stakes are high as the Kings fight for a playoff spot, but Rantanen and the Avs have been unbelievable at home. Their 25 home wins are tied with the Preds, and 51 of Rantanen's 79 points this season have come on home ice. He's scored an astonishing 20 points in 10 games in March, riding a seven-game point streak during which the Avs have lost twice and just once at home.
Clayton Keller, ARI at CAR ($5,800) - Keller had two assists Wednesday against the Sabres, setting a franchise record for points by a rookie with 55. The Coyotes will be playing the second half of a back-to-back, but with six wins in their last 10 games it's better momentum-wise to keep going rather than take a long break. The Hurricanes will be without Brett Pesce, one of their best shot blockers and one of their three defensemen to average more than 20 minutes per game. Keller has scored 17 points in his last 22 games.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TB at NYI ($6,500) - He scored in consecutive games against Edmonton on Sunday and Toronto on Tuesday, giving him four goals and nine points in March. The Islanders defense is inconsistent and their goaltending is a shambles, and an experienced and more talented team like the Lightning should take full advantage. The last time the two teams met, the Lightning pumped six goals, with Hedman registering two shots in more than 25 minutes of ice time. Watch for Hedman and the Lightning power play to strike – they're second in the league and will face the Islanders' 30th-ranked penalty kill.
Alexander Edler, VAN at CHI ($5,100) - He won't be a popular choice because the Canucks are terrible and can't score, but Edler's always put in excellent performances against the Blackhawks. He's already notched two assists in two games against them this season, and in 35 career regular-season games he's scored three goals and 20 points. He plays in all situations for the Canucks and has actually been one of the lone bright spots on a blue line ravaged by injuries, leading the team's defensemen in points (28) and blocked shots (174).
