Fantasy picks: Rickard Rakell producing consistently
Ducks forward among Dec. 1 DFS targets against Canucks
C - Nathan MacKinnon, COL ($6,800)
MacKinnon has 49 shots on goal in his past 10 games (most in NHL in span) to go along with nine points. He's available to be stacked with surging rookie linemate Mikko Rantanen (W, $4,800), who has a multipoint game in three of his past five. MacKinnon had one assist, one block and two SOG (3.5 DraftKings points) against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Nov. 21 and has a high floor and ceiling every night. He hasn't scored a point in his past two games but has returned value with 14 SOG.
C - Bryan Little, WPG ($4,800)
You'll want to get a piece of the Edmonton Oilers-Winnipeg Jets game because of all the potential offensive firepower. Little returned from a lower-body injury to play his second game of the season Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils and had two SOG in more than 20 minutes (20:09) on Winnipeg's second line with Blake Wheeler. Little also played 3:12 on the power play in his return, an indicator that the points should be coming soon.
W - Rickard Rakell, ANA ($6,300)
Rakell has been one of the most consistent point producers since making his season debut Nov. 1, scoring at least one point in nine of 14 games (total of 13 points). He has earned a promotion to the Anaheim Ducks first line alongside Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and ranks third among wings for Thursday in DraftKings points per game (4.3) behind Alex Ovechkin (4.6; $8,600) and Vladimir Tarasenko (4.4; $7,800). Rakell, available for a fraction of the cost, plays the Vancouver Canucks, who are allowing 3.00 goals per game this season (sixth-most in NHL).
W - Sam Reinhart, BUF ($4,900)
The return of Jack Eichel came with a resounding DFS impact: He had one goal, one assist, two blocks and five SOG (8.5 DraftKings points) on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Reinhart was along for the ride with 6.5 DraftKings points (one goal, one assist, three SOG) and has at least a point in three of his past four games. Eichel's price Thursday at home against the New York Rangers has been bumped up $500 ($6,600), but Reinhart's remains below $5,000.
D - Duncan Keith, CHI ($5,000)
There are plenty of strong options Thursday, but Keith offers similar upside for a low price. The Chicago Blackhawks defenseman is long overdue for his first goal of the season; he has none on 53 SOG in 24 games, the second-most SOG among skaters with no goals behind Colton Parayko (64, St. Louis Blues). Keith does have 10 assists, 14 blocks and 27 SOG in 12 home games (3.4 DraftKings points per game). He and Brent Seabrook offer exposure to Chicago's top forwards as fixtures on its first power-play unit against the New Jersey Devils, who have allowed at least three goals in each of their past seven games.
D - Julius Honka, DAL ($4,200)
Honka has been a force since being recalled from Texas of the American Hockey League on Nov. 20, scoring three points (one on power play) with 16 SOG in five games. He and the Dallas Stars play the Pittsburgh Penguins, who will be on the second game of a back-to-back. Honka saw time on the first power-play unit with Jamie Benn, Tyler Seguin, Patrick Sharp and Jason Spezza on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings and is a low-priced flier in position to capitalize on John Klingberg's struggles.
G - Tuukka Rask, BOS ($8,100)
Rask is 5-2-0 with a .924 save percentage and one shutout at home and plays the Carolina Hurricanes (7-3-3, 939 SV% against in career). The Hurricanes are without injured center Jordan Staal (concussion), who averages 18:28 of ice time per game, leaving a sizable void that the center-heavy Bruins can exploit. The Hurricanes have been outscored 38-29 in 13 road games, meaning Rask has a strong chance at the win bonus.
G - Mike Smith, ARI ($7,200)
For such a cheap price, Smith is an underrated DFS option at home against the Los Angeles Kings, who will be on short rest after playing the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. Outside of allowing four goals against the Canucks on Nov. 23, Smith has been lights out this season. He missed time early because of injury but is 4-1-2 with a .928 SV% and has three wins in four home games. He had another strong showing Tuesday at the Sharks with 6.0 DraftKings points in an overtime loss. He has at least 40 saves in each of his past two games.
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