This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. DAL ($7,900) – Dubnyk has allowed just one goal in each of his past two starts, and at 25-6-8 the Wild have one of the best home records in the league. Since arriving in Minnesota, Dubnyk has been a legitimate No. 1, posting a 2.27 GAA and .922 save percentage over four seasons. Dallas, meanwhile, just snapped its eight-game losing streak Tuesday but needed overtime to do so and have been so uncharacteristically poor down the stretch that they've practically eliminated themselves from the playoff race. They've won just twice in their past 10 games and have just 14 wins on the road.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM at VAN ($8,100) – You know the story: with a goal and three points Tuesday against Columbus, McDavid now has 40 goals and 102 points on the season, becoming just the eighth player in NHL history to score over 100 points multiple times at age 21 or younger. (Insert Wayne Gretzky comparison here). He's been phenomenal over the past two months with 48 (!) points in 28 games and has now taken the lead in the scoring race. The Canucks defense has always had problems containing speedy Oilers, be it Taylor Hall (34 points in 33 career games) or McDavid (12 points in 11 games), and that's not to mention they're really banged up.
Casey Mittelstadt, BUF vs. DET ($3,000) – Sabres fans have been waiting for this moment. Mittelstadt will make his NHL debut against the Red Wings playing on the second line with Sam Reinhart and Evan Rodrigues on his wings. The Sabres' lack of quality wingers looks as though Mittelstadt will have to carry his two wingers, but Reinhart's actually been one of their best players recently with 23 points in his past 26 games, and Rodrigues has filled in admirably in a top-six role this season. The Red Wings aren't a particularly tough opponent and don't have quality depth down the middle like they once did, so it'll make Mittelstadt's job a lot easier. The Canucks' Adam Gaudette ($2,500), a front-runner for the Hobey Baker Award, will also be making his NHL debut Thursday night.
WING
Patrik Laine, WPG at CHI ($7,400) – He's just too good to be kept off the board. Even though the Jets have scored 15 goals in their past four games, none have come off Laine's stick, who has yet to score a goal after hurting his foot against the Kings last Tuesday. It isn't for a lack of trying; he's put 10 shots on goal in his past three games, but sometimes you just don't get the bounces. He'll have a good chance to snap his scoring drought against Anton Forsberg, who allowed three goals on six shots in his last appearance against the Jets.
Artemi Panarin, CLS at CGY ($7,100) – He's scored eight points in his past five games, giving him at least 70 points for the third straight season and 19 points in his past 14 games. The Flames have lost six in a row and have been eliminated from playoff contention with a few key players missing from the lineup, so the Jackets should have a significant advantage despite being on the road. It certainly helps that linemates Cam Atkinson (four goals in five games) and Pierre-Luc Dubois (four assists in three games) have also been firing on all cylinders.
Kyle Connor, WPG at CHI ($6,000) – He's quietly having a fantastic rookie season with 29 goals and 50 points in 70 games when all talk has been dominated by either Mathew Barzal or Brock Boeser. His three-game goal streak was snapped Tuesday against Boston, but he's been excelling on the top line with Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, scoring 20 points in the past 25 games.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA at OTT ($5,800) – Yandle has been averaging a point per game over the past two months, including two goals and four assists in his last five. He's been a force on the Panthers' blue line as they battle for a playoff spot, and even though they played last night against the Leafs, the Senators shouldn't pose much of a problem. Guy Boucher's defensive style hasn't worked out this season, which means Yandle should get plenty of opportunities to extend his scoring streak. He remains the Panthers' top power-play quarterback even with Aaron Ekblad in the lineup.
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. FLA ($3,700) – With zero playoff hopes and a murky future ahead, the Senators are giving their potential franchise defenseman a chance to show what he can do. Despite averaging 17 minutes in 57 games this season, Chabot's ice time has increased dramatically late in the season, as he's skated more than 20 minutes in five of his past six games. Chabot has scored 12 points in his past 28 games and has plenty of upside that makes him a worthy gamble.
