Fantasy picks: Steen among value targets

All season long, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This article includes expensive and value plays and can be used as a basis for your roster decision-making.
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Note: This contest does not include the Colorado Avalanche at Vegas Golden Knights game at 6 p.m. ET.

CENTERS

Value pick: Bryan Little, WPG ($4,600) -- The Winnipeg Jets center only has five points this season but four have come in the past five games, including an assist and two SOG in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday. Little is always a threat to score centering a line with Nikolaj Ehlers and Patrik Laine. His low price makes him a low-risk, high-reward option on a light game night, meaning you can spend your money on top players elsewhere. Little plays the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday, who he's averaged more than a point per game against in his career (16 points in 13 games).

WINGS

Value pick: Alexander Steen, STL ($5,200) --In his fourth game of the season, Steen had four points (one goal, three assists) and was all over the ice and scoreboard in the St. Louis Blues' 5-2 win against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, despite only playing 16:05 of ice time. He had two power-play points and four SOG. Steen benefitted from playing on a line with Vladimir Sobotka and Paul Stastny. He's had at least 51 points in each of the past four full NHL seasons and his 69 blocked shots last season were tops on the Blues among forwards. Steen has a good matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes on Friday.

DEFENSEMEN

Value pick: TJ Brodie, CGY ($4,900) --The Calgary Flames begin a seven-game homestand against the Dallas Stars on Friday which could be what Brodie needs to end his mini-slump of going three of the past four games without a point. Brodie has eight points (two goals, six assists) this season with six coming at home, and also is second on the team with 17 blocks in 10 games. He's getting exposure to the power play and is averaging 2.0 shots on goal per game. The Stars have shown cracks defensively and Brodie could make them pay.

GOALTENDER

Corey Crawford, CHI ($7,700) --The Chicago Blackhawks are 5-3-2 and a large part of that success of getting points in seven of 10 games is because of Crawford. He's 5-3-0 but has a 2.13 GAA and .937 SV%, having faced at least 30 shots on goal in six of his eight starts. In two of his past three starts, Crawford has allowed four goals, but expect that to change at home against the Nashville Predators. Crawford is 3-1-0 at home allowing six goals on 132 shots (1.48 GAA, .955 SV%) and is one of the better options in the five-game slate.
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