Fantasy picks: Brassard could shine vs. former team

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.
NOTE: These picks are for four-game Sunday contests, excluding the 1 p.m. ET game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins game and the 1 p.m. ET game between the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets.

C - Derick Brassard, OTT ($5,300)
Brassard has been a fantasy bust this season with three goals and nine points in 20 games for the Ottawa Senators, but he had two goals and three points in two games prior to Saturday. Brassard spent the past four seasons with the New York Rangers, and led them in goals last season, and will play at Madison Square Garden for the first time since he was traded in June. It's a rink he's obviously familiar with, and you can bet he'll be motivated to show the Rangers what they're missing.
C - Kevin Hayes, NYR ($5,700)
Hayes, who will get to face former teammate Brassard, is having a much better season thus far. He leads the Rangers with 19 points and is second with 10 goals. You'd like to see more usage on the power play (12th on the Rangers in power-play ice time per game, one point) but that's about the only frustrating thing with his game. Hayes is averaging 3.5 DraftKings points per contest, tied for second even though he's tied for eighth among centers in price. And we all know the rate at which the Rangers offense has been producing this season.
W - Elias Lindholm, CAR ($4,400)
The Carolina Hurricanes wing had a goal and two SOG in a 2-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. He had two goals and seven points in 19 games prior to Saturday, but two goals and six points have come in his past 10 games. Lindholm is averaging 2.5 DraftKings points per contest and is on a four-game point streak. Playing on a line with Victor Rask and Teuvo Teravainen has benefitted Lindholm, and he's a cheap option against the Florida Panthers.

W - Mike Hoffman, OTT ($5,100)
The Senators wing has been tearing it up in the past 10 games with four goals, three assists, eight blocks and 17 SOG before the game Saturday. That's good for 3.1 DraftKings points per contest, slightly higher than his season average of 2.7. Hoffman is fourth on the Senators in points (11), with four on the power play. Ottawa has scored seven goals in the past two games with Hoffman in on four of them.
D - Oscar Klefbom, EDM ($5,100)
Kelfbom leads Edmonton Oilers defensemen in points with eight in 22 games. Although that may not be a high total, he has six points in 10 games and it's always a good idea to go with the hot hand. Klefbom ranks fourth on the Oilers in SOG with 56, trailing forwards Connor McDavid, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Klefbom also has 36 blocks, making him a worthwhile option even if he doesn't crack the scoresheet. He is averaging 3.0 DraftKings points per contest and had a goal, three blocks and six SOG (6.0 points) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday, the team he'll face Sunday.
D - Tony DeAngelo, ARI ($4,000)
The 21-year-old rookie defenseman has played in eight games for the Arizona Coyotes and already has six points (two goals, four assists), including a four-game point streak. DeAngelo has at least 3.0 DraftKings points in each of his past four games and in six of eight. He's also had multiblock games six times, so even though he doesn't take many shots (14), he provides value. His price is low enough he's a low-risk, high-reward play which will allow you to spend your money elsewhere.
G - Mike Smith, ARI ($7,100)
He may not seem like a great option, even with four games, but Smith's price alone warrants him consideration. So does the fact that he made 32 saves and got 7.4 DraftKings points against the Oilers on Friday, and that the Coyotes have not lost to the Oilers in regulation in their past 24 games (20-0-4). Smith has won two of his past three starts, which included 43 saves in a 3-2 overtime win against the San Jose Sharks on Nov. 19.

G - Anthony Stolarz, PHI ($7,500)
The Philadelphia Flyers prospect will make his long-awaited NHL debut. Stolarz was recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League several times last season but never appeared in a game. Now he gets his chance with Michal Neuvirth injured and starter Steve Mason taking a breather. The 22-year-old was 6-2-0 with a 2.39 GAA and .927 SV% in the AHL and is worth a play at this price against the Calgary Flames.
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