This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, ARI vs. FLA ($7,700): He's won four straight games with just five goals allowed, including a 22-save shutout against the Leafs and a 34-save performance against the Jets. The Coyotes didn't load up at the deadline but they're getting healthy and peaking at the right time. The Panthers, meanwhile, were sellers, and played last night in Denver, the first of a three-game road trip.
CENTER
Matt Duchene, CLS vs. PIT ($7,200): This will be a big test for a bolstered Jackets squad, and early impressions signal that Duchene and Artemi Panarin could be a very terrifying duo. Duchene scored a goal and an assist in a 4-0 win against the Sharks and bumped Pierre-Luc Dubois from the top line. His speed and aggressiveness make him a natural fit for John Tortorella's Jackets, and they've performed well against the Pens in the past.
Kevin Hayes, WPG vs. MIN ($4,900): We're very excited to see what Hayes can bring with quality wingers. If Kyle Connor moves back to the top line, that leaves Hayes with Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers, which is way better than what he had with the Rangers. The Jets have lost three straight against the Wild, but I have a feeling that streak will end tonight.
WING
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs. OTT ($8,200): Here's Ottawa's potential lineup on defense against the Caps: Thomas Chabot, Dylan DeMelo, Christian Wolanin, Cody Goloubef, Ben Harpur and Christian Jaros. Excluding Chabot and DeMelo, the combined NHL experience of the other four is 292 games, nearly half of which are from the 29-year-old Goloubef. Against an AHL-quality defense and shaky goaltending, Ovechkin's worth the premium tonight.
Mark Stone, VGK vs. DAL ($6,400): This price seems low for an elite winger who's moving from a mediocre team to a Cup contender. Stone will likely line up with Paul Stastny and Max Pacioretty, leaving the Knight's usual top line intact. I suspect it might take some time for Stone to get comfortable, but he's still a better pick than Alexander Radulov ($6,400) or Zach Parise ($6,600).
Nino Niederreiter, CAR vs. LA ($5,600): El Nino continues to play well on the Hurricanes' top line, and though the Kings are expected to start Jonathan Quick, they're coming off a shootout loss against Tampa with all of their big guns – Kopitar, Kovalchuk, Toffoli and Carter – held off the scoresheet. The Hurricanes are 8-2-0 in their past 10 and coming off a shutout win against the Stars.
DEFENSE
Brent Burns, SJ at BOS ($6,900):Erik Karlsson is day-to-day, but groin tweaks are notoriously difficult to predict so we're going with the assumption that Karlsson won't play. That means Burns has to play big minutes once again, and it's generally no problem but the Bruins can be a tough opponent. Burns has scored seven points in his past five games and quarterbacks the league's fifth-ranked power play.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at PHI ($5,200): Finally, with Rasmus Dahlin in the fold, the Sabres have been able to cut back Ristolainen's minutes as they've long promised, but even still he's averaging 25 minutes per game. Ristolainen, who continues to patrol the right point on the power play, will face the league's fourth-worst penalty kill, and also won't have to deal with Wayne Simmonds anymore. Ristolainen's 12 power-play assists are off last season's pace but he remains a dependable source of shots and blocked shots.