DraftKings NHL: Friday Picks

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Updated on December 14, 2018 10:31AM EST

GOALIE

Jimmy Howard, DET vs. OTT ($7,800): What was a top-5 offense at the beginning of the season has slowly begun to fade, and in their past five games, the Sens have scored just eight goals. Howard has been low-key having one of his best seasons of his career with a .927 save percentage at home and .930 mark since November.

CENTER

Connor McDavid, EDM vs. PHI ($8,000): He extended his scoring streak to seven games with two assists against the Jets, and the Flyers shouldn't put up much of a defensive challenge, especially after allowing 13 goals in their past two games. The Flyers have the third worst team GAA, and with Mikko Koskinen in net at home, the Oilers should be able to get a win.

Evgeny Kuznetsov, WAS at CAR ($6,000): Kuznetsov is on a six-game scoring streak with a goal and seven assists, and with 29 points in 24 games, he ranks 20th in the league in points per game. There's no in-between for the Hurricanes, who have allowed 10 goals in their past two games but have also kept their opponents to two goals or fewer in seven of the last 10.

WING

Mikko Rantanen, COL at STL ($7,900): It's a lost season for the Blues, who are rumored to be looking at a potential major roster shake-up. For the time being, they remain a leaky defensive group with unreliable goaltending, which makes the league's leading scorer a logical pick, especially when he's not the most expensive winger. He played over 21 minutes and scored a goal last time the two teams met, and Rantanen is carrying a 12-game scoring streak into the match.

Patrick Kane, CHI vs. WPG ($6,500): The Hawks actually looked pretty good against the Pens, and now they face a Jets team that is playing the second half of a back-to-back after allowing six goals in an overtime loss to the Oilers. Kane already has three assists in two games against the Jets this season, and 36 points in 30 games in his career. Backup Laurent Broissoit will likely draw the start for the Jets.

Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. COL ($4,600): He won't be able to save the Blues' season, but he was a welcome return to the lineup after missing nearly a month of action, registering two assists against the Panthers. The Blues should be well-rested after a two-day break, and as incredible as the Avs' offense has been, the same can't be said for their defense. Schwartz is a good value play at this price.

DEFENSE

Neal Pionk, NYR vs. ARI ($4,500): He has just one assist in six games but continues to be a huge minutes eater for the Rangers, who will host the struggling Coyotes, who have lost four in a row. The Coyotes are coming off a 3-1 loss to the Sabres last night and remain a mediocre road team; meanwhile, the Rangers are 10-4-1 at home. Only Josh Morrissey ($4,000) and Carl Dahlstrom ($2,500) are cheaper among defensemen who average at least three fantasy points per game.

Vince Dunn, STL vs. COL ($4,000): With Alex Pietrangelo on the shelf, Dunn and Robert Bortuzzo are the biggest beneficiaries. Dunn played over 22 minutes and logged an assist against the Panthers on Tuesday. He also led the team's defensemen in power-play time, outpacing Colton Parayko with 3:16 to 2:47. If Parayko gets traded, Dunn would get a huge boost, but in the meantime, he's a decent value play against the Avs' 21st-ranked penalty kill.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.