This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's a busy 11-game slate in the NHL on Thursday with the Canucks, Flames and Blues all playing the second leg of a back-to-back set. A divisional bouts between Columbus and Pittsburgh and Colorado and Dallas have significant playoff implications, whereas the Flames will look to snap a three-game losing skid and pad their lead in the Pacific.
GOALIE
Ben Bishop, DAL vs. COL ($7,700): It's been a strong return from injury for Bishop, as he's surrendered two goals or fewer in each of his four starts and boasts a .963 save percentage. Overall, Dallas has been stingy on home ice, too. The Stars have surrendered just 1.78 goals and 10.65 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five through their past 25 home games. Colorado's also scored just 2.28 five-on-five goals on the road during the same timeframe. For what it's worth, the RotoWire Lineup Optimizer is also bullish about Bishop.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF at CHI ($7,600): With nine goals, 10 assists and 63 shots through 16 games since Feb. 1, Eichel's quietly been one of the most consistent scorers in the second half. He's also gone pointless in just two showings during that stretch. Additionally, considering Chicago's surrendered the most goals and high-danger scoring chances per hour this season, it's also a ripe matchup for surging American.
Ryan Strome, NYR at DET ($2,900): This is a bargain price for Strome. Not only is he locked into a top-six role and receiving power-play time, but he's also recorded a respectable four goals, five assists 15 shots and 12 blocks through his past 12 showings. Detroit is also skidding along an eight-game losing streak with 37 goals allowed.
WING
Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. VAN ($6,500): The offensive numbers continue to pile up for Draisaitl, and he faces the Canucks on the second leg of a back-to-back set. The 23-year-old forward has marked the scoresheet in 14 of his past 15 contests for 14 tallies and eight helpers while logging a hefty 23:04 of ice time per contest (3:21 with the man advantage).
Jake DeBrusk, BOS vs. FLA ($5,600): The second-year winger is in the midst of the best stretch of his career with eight tallies, seven helpers, five power-play points and 29 shots through his past 10 outings. DeBrusk has also catapulted to the No. 1 power-play unit and has clicked with center David Krejci for 4.19 goals and a 59.5 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five during the 10-game stretch. The Panthers have also lost five consecutive contests and allowed 20 goals during the skid, so the matchup also checks out.
Filip Zadina, DET vs. NYR ($3,100): The Rangers have surrendered the third most goals () and most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes on the road since Dec. 1, and Zadina's seen his ice time climb in each of the past three games. The rookie recorded 15 tallies and 16 assists through 31 games in the AHL, and he scored his first career NHL goal last time out. The sixth overall pick in last year's draft offers notable upside at a low price.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS vs. FLA ($5,700): Sporting a league-high 2.31 points per 60 minutes among all defensemen over the past two seasons, Krug is a strong option at this managable salary. As noted, Florida limps into this contest, and the power-play quarterback has statistical correction ahead after missing the scoresheet in his past two outings.
Nick Leddy, NYI at OTT ($3,600): Even with his assist against Ottawa on Tuesday, Leddy's recorded just three points -- one goal -- through his past 20 outings. The dry spell has him at 0.87 points per 60 minutes this season, which is a far cry from the 1.41 mark he posted over the previous three seasons. Expect another strong showing from the power-play quarterback against the reeling Sens.
