Fantasy picks: Predators have favorable matchup
Forward Colin Wilson, defenseman Ryan Ellis among March 27 DFS value options against Islanders
TOP CENTER: Jack Eichel, BUF ($7,200)
Eichel is priced $100 more than the second-highest center in this contest (Jonathan Toews, Chicago Blackhawks) but has been on an absolute tear recently. He has 53 points (23 goals, 30 assists) in 54 games for the Buffalo Sabres, including a recent 11-game point streak which ended earlier this month. Eichel had two goals and an assist with four SOG (10.0 DraftKings points) in a 5-2 win against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, and has at least four SOG in five of 10 games. There's really no downside to making Eichel the cornerstone of your lineup against the Florida Panthers.
VALUE CENTER: Victor Rask, CAR, ($4,600)
The Carolina Hurricanes have been one of the hottest teams in the NHL with points in each of their past 10 games (7-0-3). They've had a number of players step up, among them has been Rask. His 42 points this season rank fifth on Carolina and he has five in the past 10 games. Rask's price has dropped from $5,200 eight games ago since he's gone five of seven games without a point. However, he is a decent pick at this price. Rask also had a goal against the Detroit Red Wings, his opponent on Monday, earlier this season.
TOP WING: Nikita Kucherov, TBL ($7,900)
The Tampa Bay Lightning have climbed back into the Stanley Cup Playoff picture and no one has contributed more than Kucherov. He is sizzling with 15 points (10 goals, five assists) in 10 games (6.3 DraftKings points per game), which includes six multipoint games. Kucherov has a four-game goal streak (seven goals). He's scored at least 5.0 DraftKings points in seven of 10 games and averages well over a point per game at home (45 points in 34 games). He's in the Rocket Richard trophy conversation with 38 goals and has taken 231 SOG this season. Expect Kucherov to make life difficult for the Blackhawks on Monday, and with the right lineup, he can be paired with Eichel in this contest.
VALUE WING: Colin Wilson, NSH ($3,400)
Wilson has 34 points (12 goals, 22 assists) this season but has five assists in the past two games. He's only had one SOG in that span but the Nashville Predators have won six of their past seven games, scoring at least three goals in five of those games. Wilson has seven points (one goal, six assists) in his past 10 games despite the low SOG total (12). This season, he has 106 SOG and 23 blocks so he's is a boom-or-bust on the scoring front. He will face the New York Islanders on Monday, who have shown the ability to get exposed defensively this season.
TOP DEFENSEMAN: Alex Pietrangelo, STL ($5,500)
Pietrangelo is the third-highest ranked defenseman in terms of price and has points in six of his past 10 games. He has 11 goals and is two from setting a new NHL career high with the St. Louis Blues. Pietrangelo has 40 points, a number in which he has reached in five of the past six full NHL seasons. He's averaged 3.3 DraftKings points per contest and has stronger home peripherals (seven goals, 15 assists) compared to on the road (four goals, 14 assists). Playing the Arizona Coyotes offers a good opportunity for points.
VALUE DEFENSEMAN: Ryan Ellis, NSH ($4,700)
Ellis may not have the flashiness of teammates P.K. Subban and Roman Josi, but he's been the Predators' best offensive defenseman of late. Ellis has 15 goals this season, including three in his past three games. Ellis has 11 straight games with at least two SOG and also contributes defensively with 123 blocks. He's a good option against the Islanders, who have lost four straight games at home having been outscored 17-9, and is the 12th ranked defenseman in price in the contest.
GOALIE SPOTLIGHT: Jake Allen ($8,300) or Carter Hutton ($8,200), STL
Allen is 7-1-1 with a .951 SV% and two shutouts in his past nine starts, and has only allowed more than two goals twice in that span. He is averaging 6.7 DraftKings points in his past 10 games. Allen had a 31-save shutout against the Coyotes on March 18, his opponent Monday, in a 3-0 win. Allen has dominated the Coyotes in his career; he's 6-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA, .962 SV% and two shutouts allowing a total of six goals. If Hutton makes his first start since March 16, he should be able to have a solid effort, having won four of his past five.
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