Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This lineup has been constructed with expensive and value picks and should be used as a basis for your roster decision-making.
Fantasy picks: Opt for stack on light schedule
Drafting multiple Kings, Wild makes sense for Feb. 1 DFS contests
By
Ben Zweiman @BZweimanNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
C - Jeff Carter, LAK ($7,300)
Other than Alex Ovechkin ($8,400), Carter is the highest-priced forward for the three NHL games Wednesday. The Los Angeles Kings center had two goals, four assists and 19 shots on goal prior to the All-Star break and will look to pick things up against the Colorado Avalanche, who are last in the NHL in points (28) and goals against per game (3.37). Carter did not have a point against the Avalanche in a 4-1 loss on Nov. 15 but had 12 goals in 17 games against them prior to that. Expect Carter to have a high ownership percentage, making him a more viable play in cash games.
C - Nathan MacKinnon, COL ($5,700)
It may seem contradictory to roll with an Avalanche forward, but MacKinnon has at least been decent for 50-50 contests considering his high floor. He's averaging 3.6 DraftKings points per game but is affordable at less than $6,000. MacKinnon is 15th in the NHL with 156 SOG (3.4 per game) and had 10 against the Kings earlier in the season. Not only is MacKinnon a solid play for cash games, he's a great tournament play considering his high upside.
W - Justin Williams, WSH ($5,200)
There are plenty of cheap, viable wings, and Williams is one of the more appealing options. The veteran had two goals (8.5 DraftKings points) for the Washington Capitals in a 4-3 overtime win against the Boston Bruins on Dec. 7. Williams entered the All-Star break with six goals in his past nine games and has the second-most goals in the NHL (15) since that game against Boston. He's also a much better play at home, averaging 3.3 DraftKings points per game (10 goals, 18 points, 58 SOG).
W - Marian Gaborik, LAK ($4,300)
If you'd like to get another piece of the Kings (and there will be others highlighted here), then Gaborik makes sense as another conveniently priced first-line wing. Gaborik had been quiet since returning from injury on Nov. 26 but came on in January with four goals, three assists and 32 SOG in 12 games. He's producing two-times as much at home than on the road; 3.0 to 1.5 DraftKings points. Gaborik should go under the radar against the Avalanche, making him an excellent play in all contest types.
W - Jason Pominville, MIN ($4,100)
Pominville rounds out our three veteran recommendations at wing, and he may be the most appealing despite being priced the lowest. The Minnesota Wild forward entered the All-Star break on a five-game point streak (two goals, five assists), and is averaging 4.9 DraftKings points per game during the stretch. Prior to a 3-2 overtime win against the Ottawa Senators before the break, the Calgary Flames allowed 20 goals during a four-game losing streak. A lopsided result in the Wild's favor seems likely, which would result in plenty of DraftKings points to go around the roster.
D - Alec Martinez, LAK ($4,800)
Instead of paying up for top Kings defenseman Drew Doughty ($5,500), consider Martinez, who is cheaper and fresher having not participated in the 2017 Honda NHL All-Star Weekend. Martinez entered the break with a goal, an assist, two blocks and six SOG in two games. He has at least 2.0 DraftKings points in nine of his past 10 games and has double the points at home (18) than on the road. Stacking Carter, Gaborik and Martinez will give you exposure to Los Angeles' top two lines and one of its top-four defensemen.
D - Jared Spurgeon, MIN ($4,700)
To say Spurgeon has had success against the Flames this season would be an understatement. He has two assists, 10 blocks and nine SOG in two games against Calgary (6.8 DraftKings points per contest). Spurgeon is another defenseman who has a high floor, mostly because of his 88 blocks (2.0 per game), giving him an average of 2.9 DraftKings points per game. He's second on the Wild in average time on ice behind defense partner Ryan Suter with 24:07 (more than 2:00 on the power play and shorthanded).
G - Braden Holtby, WSH ($8,300)
There are plenty of reasons to roll with Kings goaltender Peter Budaj ($8,200) against the Avalanche, but Holtby has a good shot at getting a win on top of seeing more shots. The Bruins are averaging 36.2 SOG per game in their past 13 and are ranked first in points allowed to goaltenders this season. Holtby hasn't lost a game in regulation since Dec. 27, 4-3 to the New York Islanders on the road. He hasn't lost a regulation home game since Dec. 17. Holtby is well worth anchoring your lineup despite what should be a high ownership percentage.
UTIL - Mikko Koivu, MIN ($5,600)
To round out your Wild stack is Koivu, who has experienced a renaissance this season, along with many Minnesota players, under coach Bruce Boudreau. The veteran captain scored in back-to-back games entering the All-Star break and enters Tuesday with three goals, four assists and 15 SOG in his past nine games. Koivu, Spurgeon and Pominville operate on the second power-play unit for Minnesota, which has at least one goal in nine of its past 12 games.
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