The featured NHL slate on DraftKings consists of the five games beginning at 7:00 p.m. ET or later. Interestingly, all five home teams are favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with Colorado receiving the most chalk followed by St. Louis, Arizona and Toronto. The Flames-Maple Leafs game has the highest over/under total on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Set your DraftKings fantasy hockey lineups here: NHL $60K Twine [$10K to 1st]
Top Line Stacks
Flyers vs. Rangers
James van Riemsdyk ($6,500) - Sean Couturier ($5,700) - Joel Farabee ($5,500)
Philadelphia’s new-look top line is in excellent form and doesn’t break the bank. While they’ve only shared the ice for 30:27 this season, they’ve combined for a high-end 7.88 goals per 60 minutes. Additionally, even with a less-than-ideal matchup against the Rangers (just 2.28 goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five and fifth-ranked 85.7% penalty-kill percentage), Couturier, van Riemsdyk and Farabee are worth a look given they’ve combined seven goals and nine assists through the past three contests.
Avalanche vs. Wild
Gabriel Landeskog ($6,000 ) - Nathan MacKinnon ($8,800) - Mikko Rantanen ($7,300)
Colorado’s No. 1 line has long-standing chemistry and connected for a high-end 5.24 goals and 15.55 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past three years. There’s also nothing overly concerning about the matchup with Minnesota allowing the ninth most goals per 60 minutes in the league at five-on-five.
Superstar to Build Around
John Tavares, TOR vs. CGY ($6,800) - There’s no debate that Tavares hasn’t played at a superstar level the majority of this season, but he’s projected to skate with Auston Matthews ($9,000) and Mitchell Marner ($8,500) in all situations Wednesday. The Trio has played just 62:03 at five-on-five over the past three seasons, but they’ve generated an otherworldly 26.11 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes while driving possession with a 57.9 Corsi For percentage.
Value on Offense
Gabriel Vilardi, LA at STL ($3,400) - The 2017 first-round selection has settled in of late with two goals and two assists during his active four-game point streak. Vilardi is locked into a secondary-scoring role, and the Blues are in a little bit of a lull with consecutive losses and eight goals against.
Trevor Zegras, ANH at ARI ($2,700) - The rookie attempted three shots, including a high-danger scoring chance in his NHL debut on Monday. Zegras is an elite offensive talent and is projected to remain in a favorable role, including skating with the No. 1 power-play unit. Arizona has allowed at least three goals in each of its past three games, too.
Alexis Lafreniere, NYR at PHI ($2,700) - Another cost-effective rookie to consider, Lafreniere will be tasked with more responsibility with Artemi Panarin out of the lineup. Lafreniere scored Saturday against Washington, and last year’s first overall selection might have just opened the floodgates. It’s also a soft matchup with Philadelphia allowing the fifth most goals per 60 minutes (2.79) and owning a 28th-ranked 71.2% penalty-kill percentage.
Stud Goalies
John Gibson, ANH at ARI ($7,400) - The American netminder has a mediocre .908 save percentage for the campaign and has lost four consecutive games, but he’s also posted a number of high-end showings. Gibson has five starts with a goal or less against, including three shutouts. The Coyotes have also scored just 2.03 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season — seventh fewest in the league.
Value on Defense
Ryan Suter, MIN at COL ($4,300) - Consider the veteran an against-the-grain flier at a discount. Suter has missed the scoresheet in 11 of the past 13 games but remains a key cog for the Wild and skates with the No. 1 power-play unit. Additionally, he offers a respectable fantasy floor with his shots and blocked shots. Just note, Colorado owns the best Corsi For percentage and penalty-kill percentage in the league while also surrendering just 2.0 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season.
Travis Dermott, TOR vs. CGY ($2,500) - With Jake Muzzin out of the lineup, Dermott is projected to take on an increased role. Considering Toronto ranks third in goals per game in the league, more minutes will provide Dermott with more opportunities to reward on his contest-minimum salary. There’s also a case to be made that Dermott still has a touch of untapped offensive upside.
Power-Play Defenseman
Cale Makar, COL vs. MIN ($6,300) - Dating back to last season, Makar ranks second among all defensemen in points per 60 minutes, and he’s logging a hefty 24:06 of ice time per game with 4:45 on the power play. It all adds up to his salary probably not being prohibitive enough, especially with Minnesota checking out as a neutral matchup at worst.
Torey Krug, STL vs. LA ($5,800) - Settling in his new digs, Krug has collected a respectable nine assists through the past 13 games while averaging 3:01 of power-play time per contest. The Blues are in a bit of a funk with losses in three of their past four games, so a bounce-back showing is in the cards, and Krug’s salary is manageable. Additionally, he’s provided respectable secondary statistical coverage with 41 shots and 25 blocks for the campaign.
Set your DraftKings fantasy hockey lineups here: NHL $60K Twine [$10K to 1st]
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