Fantasy picks: Colton Parayko racking up assists

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 eight-game Saturday contests and do not include the four afternoon games.

C - Ryan Kesler, ANA ($6,000)
Kesler, a moderately priced center, has some of the best DFS peripheral coverage you'll find among forwards; he has 18 points, 23 blocks (T-8th among forwards) and 58 shots on goal in 24 games for an average of 3.5 DraftKings points per game. He's in his usual spot on the Anaheim Ducks' first power-play unit with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry and on the second line with Jakob Silfverberg and Andrew Cogliano. Kesler plays the Edmonton Oilers; he had one goal, two blocks and three SOG against in their game Nov. 15 (5.5 DraftKings points).
C - Matt Duchene, COL ($5,700)
Don't be surprised if the Colorado Avalanche shake up their lines again for the finale of their five-game homestand (0-3-1) against the Dallas Stars. Duchene, who skates on the first power-play unit with Nathan MacKinnon and Tyson Barrie, has bounce-back potential against a Stars penalty kill that is tied for third-worst in the NHL (77.3 percent). Duchene's price has dropped drastically since his return from injury Nov. 21 ($6,300), so he's worth rolling out despite a four-game goal drought. If you need to spend down for your second center, Jason Spezza ($5,300) is in the midst of a 10-game goal drought but has breakout upside against the Avalanche.

W - Phil Kessel, PIT ($6,700)
Kessel is a safe bet at home with 13 points in 12 such games this season (3.9 DraftKings points per game). He's playing on an even-strength line with Evgeni Malkin and has done a ton of damage on the Pittsburgh Penguins' first power-play unit (nine power-play points). He can always be relied on for a high shot volume (61 in 24 games) and is as dangerous on a nightly basis as Penguins wing Patric Hornqvist ($7,400), who is much more expensive Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings.
W - Jaromir Jagr, FLA ($4,700)
Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov ($5,900) is heating up with points in five of his past seven games, and Jagr continues to flank the young center on the opposite wing of Jonathan Marchessault in all situations. The veteran's best game this season was at the Ottawa Senators on Nov. 19; he had one goal, two assists and four SOG (9.0 DraftKings points). He plays them again Saturday, this time against backup goalie Mike Condon, who has allowed a combined eight goals in his past two outings.

D - Colton Parayko, STL ($4,900)
Parayko has the most SOG (65) among skaters who haven't scored a goal this season and plays the Winnipeg Jets, who are tied for the fifth-most goals allowed per game (3.00). Even if the goal drought continues, Parayko is generating plenty of offense with 13 assists in 24 games, six during his five-game point streak. He's tied for sixth among defensemen in DraftKings points per game (3.3) yet is 14th at his position in price. Parayko offers a ton of exposure to the St. Louis Blues' deep forward group, averaging 20:57 per game and 2:17 with the man-advantage (second unit).
D - Seth Jones, CBJ ($4,400)
Jones, who averages 3.0 DraftKings points per game, plays the Arizona Coyotes, who are allowing the third-most DFS points to opposing defensemen. Since returning from a foot injury, Jones has had at least 2.0 DraftKings points in five of his six games, including assists in each of his past two. It's a favorable matchup for Jones and the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have been strong on the road this season (5-2-3).
G - Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT ($8,200)
The Penguins bounced back quickly from a 5-3 loss Wednesday to the New York Islanders with a 6-2 win against the Stars on Thursday, and Fleury was in net for the latter game. He will get the start again Saturday against the Red Wings, who have scored the third-fewest road goals (19 in 10 games). Fleury has had his ups and downs this season, but is still a reliable DFS goalie having scored at least 5.0 DraftKings points in eight of his 16 games. Six of his seven wins have come at home.
G - Roberto Luongo, FLA ($7,400)
Outside of Fleury, there are not many slam-dunk home goalies on this eight-game schedule, so it's worth investing in a proven one. The Panthers goalie is affordable in DFS and has been reliable in road games this season (3-3-1, .927 SV%). The Senators, who are without starting goalie Craig Anderson (leave of absence, personal reasons), have struggled offensively, scoring two or fewer goals (not including shootout) in 15 of their past 18 games.
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