DraftKings NHL: Thursday Picks

DraftKings NHL: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.

GOALIE

Carey Price, MON vs. CAR ($8,100): With a 4-1-0 record and a .927 save percentage in December, Price has quietly turned his season around after a horrendous November when his save percentage was .886. Carolina, meanwhile, has had a lot of trouble scoring lately; in their past six games, they've scored two goals or fewer five times. Price has a career .928 save percentage against the Hurricanes and allowed just two goals in their previous match.

CENTER

Jack Eichel, BUF vs. ARI ($8,000): Between Eichel, Auston Matthews ($7,900) and Connor McDavid ($7,800), I like Eichel's upside and matchup a lot more against Arizona. Eichel's scored two points in five of his past six games, including 10 shots and 25 minutes played against L.A. on Tuesday. Eichel has feasted on Arizona throughout his young career, scoring 10 points in seven games.

Elias Pettersson, VAN at NSH ($5,500): It's laughable Pettersson comes so cheap even though his 4.4 fantasy points per game is eighth among centers and he's the only one under $6,000 in the top 10. Sure, the Preds have home-ice advantage, but they're without P.K. Subban and the Canucks are on a bit of a roll with a three-game winning streak during which Pettersson has scored nine points.

WING

Zach Parise, MIN vs. FLA ($6,300): All Parise needed was a clean bill of health, and through 29 games this season he's making a comeback as a legitimate first-line winger with 27 points. He had three in a 7-1 win against the Habs at home, and now he faces a struggling Panthers squad which has won just three of its past 10 games. Expected starter Roberto Luongo has allowed four goals in each of his past three games.

William Nylander, TOR at TB ($4,600): Yes, the Lightning are arguably the league's best team and, yes, Andrei Vasilevskiy is back, but Nylander at this price is a steal. In 16 minutes of ice time, he notched two assists against the Hurricanes, and even though he's still getting up to speed and playing on the third line, Mike Babcock has thrown him into the fire right away. The Lightning defense isn't particularly deep, so playing on the third line might be to Nylander's advantage.

Conor Garland, ARI at BUF ($2,500): The Coyotes obviously thought highly enough of Garland to start him on Derek Stepan's line in his first career game, and despite getting demoted in his second game, he skated over 12 minutes and registered three shots on goal. The upside is there — Garland was a star in major junior, and despite his lack of size, he was a point-per-game player in the AHL before his call-up.

DEFENSE

Dustin Byfuglien, WPG vs. EDM ($5,800): He's scored four points in two games, three of which have come on the power play. The Oilers have become more difficult to play against under Ken Hitchcock, but their roster is still no match for the vaunted Jets, who have scored 13 goals in two games. Last time, Jacob Trouba and Josh Morrissey faced Connor McDavid, which means less time defending for Byfuglien, who will get easier matchups.

Miro Heiskanen, DAL at SJ ($4,600): He continues to split time on the power play with Esa Lindell and Gavin Bayreuther, but Heiskanen has way more offensive upside and is currently riding a hot streak with four points in three games, including a goal against the Ducks last night. Dallas is four for its last seven tries on the power play, as well.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Chen
Jason won the 2021 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year award, and was also a finalist on 2019. He joined RotoWire in 2013. Jason has also written for Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, The Hockey News, The Hockey Hall of Fame's Legends Magazine, and Centre Ice Magazine.
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