Fantasy picks: Connor McDavid not slowing down

Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This list of targets includes expensive and value options at each position to help you build a winning roster.

C - Connor McDavid, EDM ($8,200)
If you can afford to build a lineup around the most expensive player in the contest and perhaps the most dynamic player in the NHL, it's worth it. McDavid had the game-winning goal in overtime and three points for the Edmonton Oilers in a 4-3 win against the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, including his 100th NHL point. He has 17 multipoint games in 47 games this season, including seven three-point games. There's no reason McDavid, the League's leading scorer with 54 points, shouldn't be on the scoresheet for multiple points against the Nashville Predators.

C - Henrik Sedin, VAN ($4,700)
Sedin had a goal against the Predators on Wednesday, the 999th point of his NHL career. The Vancouver Canucks center has points in three straight games and six points (two goals, four assists) in his past 10 games. Vancouver has one win and eight goals in its past five games, but Sedin has figured in on three of them. He also has 18 of his 29 points at home this season, so look for Sedin to celebrate his 1,000th NHL point against the Panthers.
W - Anthony Mantha, DET ($5,400)
The Detroit Red Wings rookie has 22 points in 30 games, and five goals and five assists in the past 10 games. Mantha has been increasing his shot total (69) as the season has gone on, including at least four SOG in four of 10 games. He ranked tied for fifth on the Red Wings in points despite playing far fewer games than everyone ahead of him. Mantha also has seen increased power-play usage recently, making him a decent option against the Buffalo Sabres.
W - Elias Lindholm, CAR ($4,100)
Lindholm of the Carolina Hurricanes is another cheap option who can provide your lineup with a spark. He's averaging 2.8 DraftKings points per contest this season but that's up to 3.9 in his past 10 games (three goals, six assists). He has 18 points this season and half have come in the past seven games. Lindholm also has 32 blocks and 72 SOG goal, which are nice peripherals to add to his recent scoring touch. The Pittsburgh Penguins are no easy task, but the game will be at home, where the Hurricanes are 15-4-1.

W - Kyle Palmieri, NJD ($4,400)
The New Jersey Devils have won three games in a row and Palmieri has had two multipoint games in that span. He had a goal and an assist in a 4-3 win against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday after having a goal and an assist in a 2-1 win against the Calgary Flames on Jan. 13. Palmieri has 27 points (10 goals) with 11 of them coming on the power play. He's averaging 3.5 DraftKings points per contest in his past 10 games, a high amount for someone priced where he is. Palmieri is worth a flyer against the Montreal Canadiens.
D - Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF ($5,600)
Heading into Thursday, no player has 100 SOG and 100 blocks but a few are close. One of them is Ristolainen, who has 97 SOG and 96 blocks. That's more than two per game of each (he's played in 44 games), meaning it's a safe bet he'll have at least two DraftKings points even if he doesn't score. However, Ristolainen has three goals and 24 assists (3.5 DraftKings points per game), and had an assist, two blocks and nine SOG against the Red Wings earlier this season.
D - Torey Krug, BOS ($5,500)
Krug has 29 points (four goals) including three goals and six assists in his past 10 games for the Boston Bruins. He's already matched his goal total from last season and is a big part of the power play. He takes a lot of shots (134) and also has 37 blocks. There's plenty of upside to utilize Krug in your lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks.

G - Roberto Luongo, FLA ($7,200)
There are 18 goalies priced higher than Luongo, who is the confirmed starter for the Panthers. Although he has lost two straight starts allowing four goals in each, Luongo's low price allows you to spend money elsewhere. He's also playing in Vancouver, a rink he is familiar with having spent parts of eight seasons with the Canucks. His 2.45 GAA, .920 SV% and 4.4 DraftKings points per game make him a good second-tier option in goal.
UTIL - Jordan Staal, CAR ($4,600)
Staal may not be having as good a season as big brother Eric Staal of the Wild, but he does have 10 points (two goals) in 10 games, including a point in six of 10. It helps that the Hurricanes have found some offense, scoring at least four goals in five of their past seven games. It's worth choosing a player in Staal's price range in order to get a star like McDavid or Sidney Crosby ($8,100) into your lineup.
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