DraftKings NHL: Friday Picks

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Updated on February 1, 2019 1:17PM EST

GOALIE

Robin Lehner, NYI vs. TB ($7,700): This will be a big test for Lehner and the Islanders, and I'm all aboard the bandwagon. Lehner has been excellent with a league-leading .931 save percentage and 2.02 GAA, and the price seems to favor the Lightning too much even though they've lost three of their past five, including 5-1 against the Islanders on Jan. 13. Carter Hutton ($8,300), Matt Murray ($8,200) and Ben Bishop ($7,900) are less risky bets if the Lightning just seem too scary.

CENTER

Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. OTT ($7,800): This should be easy for Sid, who has dominated the Sens throughout his career going back to the Pizza Line-era. He was held without a point last time they met, making the Sens just one of two teams Crosby has yet to score against, but there's little confidence the Sens defense can keep him off the scoresheet for long. Evgeni Malkin for $6,300 is also a good pick.

Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. NSH ($6,100):Aleksander Barkov ($6,000) will do just as fine, but Trocheck shoots the puck more and carries a four-game point streak into the game. The Preds are still shaky on the road and continue to miss Kyle Turris on their second line, giving Trocheck an opportunity to face much easier matchups. Trocheck has eight points in eight career games against the Preds.

WING

Johnny Gaudreau, CGY at WAS ($7,400): The Caps have been horrendous of late, allowing 21 goals in their past three games and in the midst of a seven-game slide. If the Caps continue to defend poorly and allow soft goals, Gaudreau is going to put up multiple points, and keep in mind Alex Ovechkin will be sitting out this game due to suspension. The price gap between Gaudreau and Patrick Kane ($7,800) is a tad big.

Alex DeBrincat, CHI at BUF ($6,000): The Sabres are a good matchup for DeBrincat because they're not overly physical and don't have the blue line depth to cover all of the Blackhawks' weapons. DeBrincat will do most of his damage on the power play, which has now climbed to 16th in the league at over 20 percent efficiency after languishing near the bottom of the league all season. The shifty winger carries a three-game point streak into the game.

William Nylander, TOR at DET ($4,200): I think he's back. The embattled winger has four points in is past two games, and honestly just needed a little time to get back into a groove. It shows once again how devastating missing big chunks of the season can be, but it also gives DFS owners a last chance to get him cheap. The Leafs' top-five offense should have no problems against the Wings' bottom-five defense.

DEFENSE

Mark Giordano, CGY at WAS ($6,400): The Flames are surging and the Caps are sinking, so this potential Cup matchup should be fun to watch. Giordano has been brilliant all season, but what gives him a little more value than Kris Letang ($6,200) are the power-play opportunities. The Caps are one of the league's most penalized teams, taking 26 more penalties than the Penguins' opponent. Gio has 18 PPP this season after scoring just 10 last season.

Shea Theodore, VGK at CAR ($4,700): The 'Canes play an aggressive style that matches up well against the equally tenacious Knights, and it should be fast, back-and-fourth game. These types of games suit Theodore very well, and even though he has just 22 points on the season makes a huge impact on the Knights' transition offense. He had an assist and over 20 minutes of ice time the last time they met.

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.