This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are five games in the NHL on Friday, and it's an interesting schedule spot for most teams. Edmonton and Detroit are the only clubs that aren't on the front or back end of a back-to-back set. Here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. ANA ($7,700): Since Mike Yeo took over, the Blues have allowed just 8.66 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five, and Allen has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of 12 appearances for a .941 save percentage and 1.76 GAA. Anaheim enters on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and has scored just 18 goals through its past nine away contests. Allen's price is reasonable, and this sets up as a solid spot.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT at EDM ($8,000): The headlines will focus on Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid, but Malkin has been the best of the three. The 30-year-old Russian has nine goals, 16 points and 30 shots through 11 games since returning from a knee injury, and he sports a league-high 3.79 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 1,000 minutes. Hopefully, his ownership will be lower than Crosby's and McDavid's to provide a contrarian boost for tournaments.
Aleksander Barkov, FLA vs. MIN ($6,400): With just two assists through his past five games, Barkov is suffering through a mini slump. The Wild are playing their second road game in as many nights, and expected starter Darcy Kuemper owns an underwhelming .905 save percentage and 3.22 GAA. Barkov has averaged 19:26 of ice time with 3:00 on the power play, so look for a bounce-back showing from the No. 1 pivot. This matchup is softer than it appears at first glance.
WING
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. ANA ($7,000): The star winger has missed the scoresheet in seven of his past 10 games, netting just three goals and a helper during that stretch. Tarasenko owns a second-ranked 1.57 goals and fifth-ranked 3.03 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with 4,000 minutes over the past three seasons, so his current offensive slide is a blip on the radar. Additionally, Anaheim will be starting Jonathan Bernier in back-to-back road games or turning to Jhonas Enroth; facing either netminder projects favorably.
Sam Reinhart, BUF vs. CLM ($5,100): Finishing the campaign strong for a second consecutive season, Reinhart has five goals, 11 points and 47 shots over his past 15 games while playing primarily with Jack Eichel in all situations. The Blue Jackets have allowed the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.65) over their past 25 games, too. Reinhart is a strong mid-priced target with a solid matchup.
Nick Schmaltz, CHI at DET ($4,300): After missing two games with an illness, Schmaltz was held off the scoresheet Thursday, but he was also back on Jonathan Toews' flank. Schmaltz has 12 points -- three goals -- through his past 10 games, and he's combined with Toews for 4.18 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5.
DEFENSE
Alex Pietrangelo, STL vs. ANA ($5,200): With two assists, eight shots, five blocked shots and an average of 26:29 of ice time (3:32 on the power play) per game through three games with Kevin Shattenkirk out of the picture, Pietrangelo is taking advantage of his increased role. As noted, this should prove to be a soft matchup for the Blues, and Pietrangelo's middling price creates a nice stacking opportunity with Vladimir Tarasenko.
Mark Streit, PIT at EDM ($4,200): The veteran has started 59.4 percent of his 5-on-5 shifts in the offensive zone and logged power-play time with the second unit since joining the Penguins. Streit has a goal, three assists and nine shots during that three-game span, so he presents decent value at his depressed salary. With Pittsburgh averaging the most goals per game and generating the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, this is a juicy fantasy location for Streit, especially with Kris Letang (upper body) sidelined.
