Fantasy picks: Johnny Gaudreau rediscovers elite form

Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This article includes expensive and value plays and should be used as a basis for your roster decision-making.

TOP CENTER: Nicklas Backstrom, WSH ($7,100)
Backstrom is in a prime spot on the road against the Colorado Avalanche, who have been outscored 30-13 during their six-game losing streak. The Washington Capitals center plays on the first line and power-play unit with Alex Ovechkin and T.J. Oshie, and has strong road splits (30 points in 35 games). Entering Tuesday, Backstrom is tied for the most points in the NHL since the beginning of January (49 in 39 games).
VALUE CENTER: Alexander Steen, STL ($5,300)
Steen is closing in on his fourth straight 50-point season (49 in 69 games) after four assists against the Arizona Coyotes on Monday. It marked his 13th multipoint game of the season and third with at least three points. Fantasy owners should take advantage of his moderate price with the St. Louis Blues facing the Coyotes again Wednesday. Steen is playing on the first line and power-play unit with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, and is tied for 15th in blocked shots (62) among forwards.

TOP WING: Johnny Gaudreau, CGY ($6,800)
Gaudreau has performed well for the Calgary Flames against the Los Angeles Kings in his career, totaling 14 points (five goals, nine assists) and 29 shots on goal in 12 games (three points in three games this season). Gaudreau has nine points (two goals, seven assists) during a five-game point streak, and has 27 points in 24 games since the NHL All-Star break playing with center Sean Monahan. He has 28 points (nine goals, 19 assists) in 34 home games.

VALUE WING: Mikko Rantanen ($3,700)
If the Capitals start backup Philipp Grubauer, Avalanche skaters could have sneaky value with low ownership on this four-game night. Grubauer has lost five straight on the road, allowing a combined 14 goals in the span. Rantanen, who plays with Nathan MacKinnon at even strength and on the power play, has scored 10 of his 16 goals at home and offers decent power-play production (10 points) for a rookie on a last-place team. He has at least 3.0 DraftKings points in three of his past five games. Bryan Rust ($4,200) of the Pittsburgh Penguins is another value wing playing on a line with Sidney Crosby.
TOP DEFENSEMAN: Duncan Keith, CHI ($5,300)
The Penguins could be without Evgeni Malkin, Kris Letang, Conor Sheary and Jake Guentzel because of injuries, so Keith has a chance to dictate possession on the road. He is fourth among defensemen in points (51) and offers first-unit power-play exposure (15 PPP) to Patrick Kane, Artemi Panarin and Jonathan Toews. Keith had one assist, three blocks and four SOG against Pittsburgh on March 1.
VALUE DEFENSEMAN: Michael Stone, CGY ($3,100)
Since being traded from the Coyotes to the Flames on Feb. 20, Stone has five points, 28 blocks and 15 SOG in 14 games. He has played a total of five games against the Kings for those Pacific Division teams, combining for three points, 15 blocks and nine SOG (3.8 DraftKings points per game). He's a high-floor second defenseman priced $600 above the DraftKings minimum.

GOALIE SPOTLIGHT: Carter Hutton, STL ($8,200)
Unlike Grubauer, Hutton has plenty of road success this season; he's 6-5-0 with a .930 save percentage and four shutouts. He hasn't played since March 16, a 4-1 road win against the San Jose Sharks. He is expected to get the spot start on the road against the Coyotes and is worth spending up for on this light night.
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