This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS at BUF ($8,400) – With a light slate Thursday, Bobrovsky is the best choice as he faces the Sabres, who sit last in the Eastern Conference and tied for last place with the Coyotes with 150 goals allowed. The Sabres have lost four straight and allowed seven goals against the Jets, while the Jackets have won two straight and own a 15-7-0 record on home ice. The Sabres offense has improved, but they're still a team in shambles and it should be an easy win for the Jackets.
CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY at TB ($5,800) – Monahan has three goals and four assists during Calgary's four-game winning streak, although they'll be facing the league's best team and one of the league's best goalies. However, Monahan is a legitimate No. 1 center in his own right, and in 69 career games against Atlantic Division opponents he's scored 25 goals and 54 points. It's worth noting that two of Monahan's most recent goals were scored against backups, but at this price he can provide a lot of value.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, CLS at BUF ($5,200) – The Sabres have allowed 21 goals in their past four games, and lost Zach Bogosian (lower body) during Wednesday's practice, depriving their blue line of one of their key veterans. Brock Boeser and Clayton Keller have demanded most of the attention among this year's class of superb rookies, but PLD should also be part of the conversation as well, scoring 22 points in 44 games and playing more than 15 minutes per night under one of the most demanding coaches in the league. Robin Lehner is expected to start, and he's allowed at least three goals in five of his past six appearances.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs. CAR ($7,800) – Ovechkin has four goals and five assists in his past five games — all of them wins — and after a slow start, the Caps have reclaimed their rightful place at the top of the Metropolitan Division. January has historically been Ovechkin's most productive month with 96 goals in 149 games in his career, and he's feasted on the Hurricanes with 35 goals and 82 points in 70 games.
Evander Kane, BUF vs. CLS ($6,400) – Kane is on a three-game scoring drought but hopefully a spirited shoving match with teammate Justin Falk during Wednesday's practice can channel the team's frustration into some offensive production. Kane has been Buffalo's most productive forward this season, and his hard-hitting power game also happens to be the type of game the Jackets like to play. If Phil Housley can hide Kane away from Seth Jones and Zach Werenski, Kane should have a good game. He has six goals and 10 points in 13 career games against them.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TB vs. CGY ($6,500) – The Flames have been pretty good at defending the slot this season and seem to be content with letting their opponents shoot from the blue line, so that should create lots of opportunities for Hedman. The big Swede was named to the All-Star Game for the second straight season, and with 33 points in 43 games, he is a candidate for the Norris Trophy. He has two goals and two assists in his past four games and seven assists in nine career games against the Flames. Mike Smith is not exactly a brick wall, either.
Brendan Guhle, BUF vs. CLS ($2,800) – The Sabres love him and think he can be an important piece of their future, but keep in mind he's still a rookie and learning the ropes, so his opportunities will remain limited. However, on a night with just three games on the slate, Guhle provides some intriguing upside. In his season debut against the Jets, he skated close to 18 minutes and registered three shots on goal. His ability to skate with the puck will come in handy against the Jackets, and the Sabres are making an effort to turn their defense into a much more mobile unit, not unlike the one Phil Housley had in Nashville.
