This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at VGK ($7,900): Vegas came down to earth with just a single win during its recent six-game road trip, so how the Golden Knights respond on home ice will be telling for the expansion franchise. It's certainly a daunting matchup, though, as Winnipeg is rocking an active 8-1-3 record, and Hellebuyck enters with a .936 save percentage and 2.12 GAA for the campaign. The Jets are the favorites, and Hellebuyck projects as a strong option in net.
CENTER
Aleksander Barkov, FLA at BUF ($6,500): The pivot has been held to just a single assist through his past three games, so this checks out as a bounce-back spot against a middling Sabres club. Buffalo is dealing with plenty of injured defensemen, and even with his recent slump, Barkov has a strong 2.9 points per 60 minutes. He's also locked into a huge role with an average of 22:23 of ice time per game with 4:03 on the power play.
Mathew Barzal, NYI at DAL ($4,600): While his monster five-assist showing skews the numbers, Barzal still has collected an impressive three goals, 14 points and 21 shots through his past 10 outings. The rookie received a season-high 18:59 of ice time in his latest game and is also skating with the No. 1 power-play unit.
WING
Blake Wheeler, WPG at VGK ($7,700): Scorching hot, Wheeler has three consecutive multi-point outings and is up to five goals and 16 assists through 14 games for the campaign. He's logging huge minutes (21:02 with 3:04 on the power play per game), and the Golden Knights lost five of six contests and allowed 4.0 goals per game during their recent six-game road trip, so this should be viewed as a solid matchup.
Evgeny Dadonov, FLA at BUF ($6,000): A potential stack option with center Aleksander Barkov, Dadonov has also failed to mark the scoresheet in each of the past three games. The winger's salary is manageable, though, and he also sports an impressive 3.1 points per 60 minutes. With a lot of star power in the player pool, look for Dadonov is be slightly under owned, too.
Jake Guentzel, PIT at WAS ($5,000): There is a lot of history between the Caps and Pens, so this is a tough game to handicap. However, Guentzel's salary stands out as a bargain. He's projected to remain skating with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, and the trio has been on the ice for a jaw-dropping 5.8 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past two seasons. The Capitals are also allowing the second-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.9) at five-on-five in the league.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL vs. NYI ($5,800): With four helpers through his past two outings, Klingberg is up to the point-per-game mark for the season and is also averaging 24:11 of ice time per contest with 2:54 on the power play. He complements his offensive upside and huge role with strong peripheral coverage, as the defenseman has collected 36 shots and 28 blocked shots through 15 games.
Dmitry Orlov, WAS vs. PIT ($3,400): It's been a slow offensive start for Orlov, as he's collected just two assists through 16 games despite receiving a career-high 23:10 of ice time. The scoring may be coming, though. The 26-year-old Russian has recorded nine shots through his past two contests, and often times an uptick in shot volume is followed by an appearance on the scoresheet. Orlov's salary makes him a speculative lineup candidate.
