This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Buckle up. There are 12 games in the NHL on Thursday, which means both a cavernous player pool to shift through and an easier path to rostering a few scarcely owned skaters. Here are a handful of options across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. NJD ($8,200): New Jersey is averaging the fourth-fewest goals per game (2.29) and third-fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (9.28), and Holtby's ratios have been even better this year than during his Vezina campaign last season. Holtby is coming off a poor four-goal showing, but he presents nice bounce-back appeal, considering his impressive .926 save percentage and 1.87 GAA on home ice this year.
CENTER
Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. COL ($7,600): With a single goal on 32 shots over his past eight games (3.1 shooting percentage), look for a big outing for the star in the strong matchup against Colorado. The Avalanche have allowed the most goals per game this season (3.26), and even more in December (3.77). For his part, Seguin has the third-highest points per 60 minutes (3.2) among all skaters with 5,000 minutes since joining Dallas.
Anze Kopitar, LOS at EDM ($5,600): It's been an offensive dry spell for Kopitar, as the veteran pivot has just one goal, one assist and 18 shots through his past 10 games. A slump-busting matchup is ahead, though. Edmonton has allowed the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.03), after all.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR at ARI ($6,100): It's been a monster December for Kreider, as the 25-year-old winger continues to produce at a career-best clip with seven goals, 12 points and 35 shots through 13 games this month. This salary doesn't match his production or juicy matchup. Arizona has allowed the second-most goals per game (3.12) and the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.69) this season.
Mark Stone, OTT vs. DET ($5,700): This is another occasion where the salary doesn't correlate with a recent offensive heater. Through his past 17 games, Stone has seven goals, 19 points, 26 shots and 18 blocked shots. The shot volume is low, but forwards rarely accumulate blocks, so Stone's mitigating that factor. Further sweetening the deal, Detroit is likely starting Jared Coreau, and the rookie netminder has allowed seven goals through his first two career starts.
Anthony Duclair, ARI vs. NYR ($3,700): As a source of cap relief, Duclair's recent uptick in minutes makes him an attractive against-the-grain flier against the team that traded him to the desert. He's averaged 18:57 per night and registered seven shots on net over his past two games, and the sophomore scored in his latest outing. With a top-line role, there's upside for Duclair here.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR at ARI ($5,000): Be wary of McDonagh's ownership being a touch high coming off consecutive multi-point games (one goal and five points); however, his role and matchup are the reasons to target him. As noted, the Coyotes struggle defensively, and McDonagh averages 24:10 of ice per night with 3:19 on the power play. The salary is also extremely affordable.
John Klingberg, DAL vs. COL ($5,000): Starting to hit stride with a four-game point streak, Klingberg is beginning to resemble the offensive star of his first two seasons. Over the previous two years, he posted a fourth-ranked 1.85 points per 60 minutes among all defenseman with at least 2,000 minutes over the previous two seasons. Additionally, as highlighted, the Avalanche check out as a high-end matchup.
