DraftKings NHL: Thursday Picks

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Updated on October 25, 2018 2:31PM EST

GOALIE

Antti Raanta, ARI vs. VAN ($7,900): The Canucks are first in the Pacific after a shootout win in Vegas last night, but the price was huge; Alex Edler and Sven Baertschi both suffered injuries. That will necessitate a call to AHL Utica, but they're also riddled with injuries, limiting the Canucks with fewer options. Both Raanta, who will be a game-time decision after missing his previous scheduled start due to illness, and Darcy Kuemper ($7,700) should be solid choices.

CENTER

Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. PHI ($7,800): The Bruins ended the last game of their road trip with a win and three points from Bergeron, and now they return home where they're unbeaten with a plus-12 goal differential. The Flyers are just two goals behind (ahead?) of the Dead Things with 37 goals allowed, and Brian Elliott has a .882 save percentage.

Ryan Johansen, NSH at NJ ($5,700): Don't point the finger at Johansen after the Preds blew a three-goal lead to the Sharks. He finished the night with two apples, five shots on goal and a blocked shot. The Devils have been fantastic on defense but they've lost two straight and allowed 10 goals, showing signs of breaking down. The Preds have scored at least three goals every game this season save for a one shutout loss.

WING

Alex DeBrincat, CHI vs. NYR ($6,600): DeBrincat's scored 12 points in nine games this season and was held off the scoresheet just once, proving last year was no fluke and that he's reliable. He's averaging over 18 minutes a game and looks like he might play next to Jonathan Toews for the next 10 years. DeBrincat's a proven scorer who deserves more attention; he's second on the team in scoring and on pace for 270-plus shots.

Zach Parise, MIN vs. LA ($5,800): With three more points in his past two games Parise now has 10 points in eight games this season and maybe having his best start ever with the Wild. He's averaging 3.1 shots per game, higher than each of his past two seasons and closer to his career average of 3.4. The Kings are becoming laughably bad and the Wild are 3-0-2 at home.

Jake Virtanen, VAN at ARI ($3,200): This is the chance for Shotgun Jake. With three of their top-six forwards out of the lineup, Virtanen gets a golden chance to prove he can be a scorer. Virtanen played 17 minutes last night after Sven Baertschi exited the game, and finished with five shots and two blocked shots and nearly ended the game in overtime.

DEFENSE

Jeff Petry, MON at BUF ($6,100): He's the MVP of the Habs so far scoring at a point-per-game pace and playing over 23 minutes per game. He shoots and he blocks shots, giving him a low floor in fantasy. The Sabres look like they've improved but there was nowhere to go but up anyways, so the Habs should be the favorite. Until Shea Weber returns, Petry will still quarterback the power play.

Vince Dunn, STL vs. CLS ($4,600): Last time I picked Dunn he scored a power-play goal, and in his most recent game he scored two points against the Jets, including another power-play goal. The downside is that Dunn plays relatively fewer even-strength minutes, so his value is limited to the number of power-play opportunities. The Jackets penalty kill is ranked 24th in the league, although Seth Jones has returned.

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.