DraftKings NHL: Thursday Picks

DraftKings NHL: Thursday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.

GOALIE

Cam Ward, CHI vs. NJ ($7,900): Ward has won four straight games, and at the opposite end of the ice will be Cory Schneider, who hasn't won in a full year. The Blackhawks defense is still worrisome, but the bright side is that their offense is really carrying the team right now, especially a red-hot power play that shouldn't have trouble even facing the Devils' fourth-ranked penalty kill. Ward is 3-0 with a .939 save percentage in February.

CENTER

Anze Kopitar, LA vs. VAN ($5,700): The Kings captain will be facing a struggling Canucks squad that lost 1-0 to the Ducks last night, will probably start Jacob Markstrom again, and might not have Chris Tanev in the lineup after playing just two shifts in the third period after an awkward hit. Kopitar has 16 points in his past 16 games and three assists in two games against the Canucks this season.

Boone Jenner, CLS vs. NYI ($4,500): Jenner's scored five points in four games since returning and remains a multi-category contributor with shots and blocked shots. The Islanders are a tough opponent but the Jackets have the momentum with four straight wins, two of which came against the Stanley Cup finalists. Nearly all of Jenner's offense come at even strength and the Islanders don't take many penalties, so not being featured on the power play doesn't hurt his value very much.

WING

Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at FLA ($7,300): The Panthers have allowed 12 goals in their past three games and by most metrics have been atrocious on defense all season. That's great news for Gaudreau, who has scored 29 goals and 77 points but yet to score a goal in February. He's the same price as Viktor Arvidsson despite being more talented and playing against a weaker opponent, you can't really pass him up.

Mark Stone, OTT at DET ($5,900): Stone carries a four-game point streak into Detroit where the Wings are 11-13-4 with just four wins since December. The crafty winger should have no problems exploiting a young Wings blue line and the only forward on the team who averages more than 20 minutes per game. He's a much better bet than Patrik Laine ($6,100) or Jonathan Marchessault ($6,200).

Jack Roslovic, WPG vs. COL ($3,300): This is just really good value for someone playing on a second scoring line with arguably one of the best shooters of his generation. Roslovic's line has really struggled and he hasn't scored a point since scoring a hat trick against the Ducks, but the Avs have been just as hapless over the past two months, losing eight straight and allowing four goals or more seven times. Roslovic is a gamble but definitely one of the better options in the bargain bin.

DEFENSE

Will Butcher, NJ at CHI ($3,800): Butcher has been very good lately, scoring six points in his past 10 games, including two on the power play. That's also where most of Butcher's value will be derived, having the good fortune of facing the worst penalty kill in the league. He is the Devils' top power-play quarterback averaging 3:13 per game, well ahead of Sami Vatanen and Damon Severson.

Troy Stecher, VAN at LA ($2,900): He played 29:04 against the Ducks last night thanks to ample power-play time and a late injury to Chris Tanev that forced Travis Green to rely on Stecher and Ben Hutton. Hutton got first crack at quarterbacking the power play, but Stecher has shown he's slightly more dynamic, someone who can walk the line and has some built-in chemistry with former North Dakota teammate Brock Boeser. There's a lot of value to be had for Stecher at this price.

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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