DraftKings NHL: Wednesday Picks

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Published on March 13, 2019

GOALIE

Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. NYR ($7,800): Frederik Andersen ($8,300) is the most expensive and Mikko Koskinen ($8,100) isn't cheap either. But, honestly, Markstrom against the Rangers isn't a bad play at all. Taking away the game against Vegas when the entire team was awful, Markstrom remains one of the league's best goalies in the second half, and the Rangers have scored more than two goals just once in their past six games. Defensemen Josh Teves and Quinn Hughes, both just recently signed, will not play.

CENTER

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. NJ ($5,800): The Flames pumped nine (!) goals past the Devils last night, and so if you don't want to splurge for Connor McDavid ($7,800), Nugent-Hopkins is still a solid pick. He averages more than 20 minutes per game and already set a new career-high with 58 points. The Devils should be an easy opponent to score goals on.

Bo Horvat, VAN vs. NYR ($5,700): Even though Elias Pettersson ($5,800) is scoring again, it's been Horvat who's been driving the train recently. The solid, two-way center shoulders a heavy workload, and despite playing against top competition every night continues to produce. He had a goal and four blocked shots against Vegas in a blowout loss, and against the Leafs registered seven shots on goal.

WING

Leon Draisaitl, EDM vs. NJ ($7,400): Draisaitl's point streak is now at 14 games, and he has a very good chance to extend that against the Devils, who were blown out 9-1 last night by the Flames. Draisaitl had a hand in all three Oilers goals against the Rangers, and over the past four games has averaged over 24 minutes per game. He's a good a bet as any tonight.

Mitch Marner, TOR vs. CHI ($7,100): There's going to be plenty of skilled little guys zooming around the ice with Marner, Patrick Kane ($7,800) and Alex DeBrincat ($6,600). What I like about Marner is his price, despite going without a point in each of his past two games, being the cheapest among elite wingers. There's also no way Mike Babcock's team doesn't come out stronger after getting embarrassed by the Lightning in their last game.

Jake Virtanen, VAN vs. NYR ($3,600): Virtanen looked good after missing a month despite losing the game, registering four shots, two blocked shots and five hits in a blowout loss to Vegas. He skated 16 minutes, and he should get around the same amount of ice time against with the Canucks' dearth of quality wingers. His speed may be tough to contain for the Rangers defense, and at this price is a decent value pick.

DEFENSE

Erik Gustafsson, CHI at TOR ($5,700): If there's one aspect the Leafs should really improve on with their Cup aspirations, it's their penalty kill. The Blackhawks power play has gone a bit cold recently, but Gustafsson remains the quarterback of a potentially lethal unit. Gustafsson has two points in his past four games, and since late February is averaging close to 25 minutes per game. I think he provides more value than Morgan Rielly ($6,400) and more upside than Alexander Edler ($5,800).

Troy Stecher, VAN vs. NYR ($2,800): After the top three guys the quality dives off a cliff, but what I like about Stecher is his role (top four), his minutes (25+ minutes per game over the past month or so) and his ability to drive offense despite his low point total (19). The Canucks offense has sputtered in recent games but a three-day break should do them some good after an embarrassing loss to the Knights.

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