There are five games in the NHL on Wednesday, with Edmonton and Colorado the two largest favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook on the docket. Minnesota and Anaheim are both short home underdogs, and Montreal is a modest-sized favorite over the Canucks. The Senators-Oilers tilt is the lone game with a 6.5 over/under total on DraftKings Sportsbook, whereas the Golden Knights-Wild matchup checks out as the marquee matchup of the evening. It’s also worth noting Colorado is expected to have Nathan MacKinnon back in the lineup after missing the past three games with an upper-body injury.
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Top Line Stacks
Oilers vs. Senators
Leon Draisaitl ($8,100) - Connor McDavid ($9,300) - Kailer Yamamoto ($4,800)
Golden Knights at Wild
Jonathan Marchessault ($5,200) - William Karlsson ($5,100) - Reilly Smith ($3,400)
Minnesota shut out the Golden Knights on Monday, so banking on a bounce-back showing from Vegas is in play Wednesday. Karlsson, Marchessault and Smith are long-time linemates dating back to Vegas’ debut season. This year, the trio has clicked for a respectable 3.44 goals and 12.45 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes while also driving possession at 5-on-5 with a 58.0 Corsi For percentage. It’s a tough matchup, though. The Wild have surrendered the fifth fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 this season.
Superstar to Build Around
Anze Kopitar, LA at ANH ($6,100) - With nine points — two goals — during his active five-game point streak, Kopitar continues to post high-end numbers, and his 3.44 points per 60 minutes ranks 17th in the league. Additionally, he’s failed to register a goal in 10 of the past 11 games, so there’s likely slight positive regression ahead of his 9.1 shooting percentage during the stretch. The Ducks have also surrendered at least three goals in each of their past 11 games, so the matchup isn’t intimidating.
Value on Offense
Jonathan Drouin, MON at VAN ($3,800) - This is a reasonable salary to target Drouin. He’s locked into a scoring role, skates with the No. 1 power-play unit and has collected a respectable five points through his past seven games. The Canucks have been impressive defensively of late with just four goals allowed through their past three games. However, Vancouver still ranks sixth last in goals against per game.
Valeri Nichushkin, COL vs. ARI ($2,800) - The 26-year-old Russian has flashed high-end offensive upside throughout his six-year career, and he’s currently receiving increased opportunities and rolling along a three-game point streak with three goals, an assist and 13 shots. The Coyotes have also allowed the sixth most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five, so Nichushkin should have opportunities to stay hot Wednesday.
Stud Goalies
Mike Smith, EDM vs. OTT ($8,300) - Likely the chalk option in goal with Edmonton the largest favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook on the docket, Smith turned in a 34-save win last time out and sports a .925 save percentage and 2.30 GAA for the campaign. Additionally, Ottawa has scored the eighth fewest goals per game in the league and its 14.4 penalty-kill percentage ranks fifth last.
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. MON ($7,300) - There’s profit potential here with Vancouver a home underdog on DraftKings Sportsbook, and Demko locked in. He’s won four of his past five starts with a .963 save percentage and 1.19 GAA, and Montreal’s offense has been considerably inconsistent with two goals or fewer in eight of the last 14 games.
Value on Defense
Ryan Suter, MIN vs. VGK ($3,800) - The Wild power play ranks dead last in the NHL, and Suter has collected just one assist with the man advantage all season. There’s positive regression coming across the board, and while Vegas is a daunting opponent with the second fewest goals against per game and second-ranked 88.1 penalty-kill percentage, Suter’s salary is low enough to mitigate some of the matchup risk.
Travis Hamonic, VAN vs. MON ($3,100) - There’s a respectable floor to target with Hamonic. While he doesn’t receive power-play looks, the veteran has moved the needle with eight shots and 12 blocks the past three games. Expect Hamonic to also be an unpopular target which adds contrarian value.
Power-Play Defenseman
Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. OTT ($6,300) - There have been more peaks and valleys in Barrie’s game of late, but the power-play quarterback registered an assist in Monday’s win and has recorded 14 shots (22 attempts) in his most recent two outings. As noted, there’s nothing scary about the matchup, and especially the special-teams disparity with Edmonton’s 25.6 power-play percentage ranking 10th in the league.
Samuel Girard, COL vs. ARI ($5,100) - The 22-year-old defenseman is flourishing in his expanded role with Cale Makar out of the lineup with an upper-body injury. Girard has collected seven points — two goals — through the past six games while logging 26:07 of ice time (4:12 with the man advantage). His salary is climbing, but it still hasn’t caught up to his recent production.
Set your DraftKings fantasy hockey lineups here: NHL $60K Twine [$15K to 1st]
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