Fantasy picks: Tap into Maple Leafs offense against Devils

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

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CENTERS
Spend up for: Evgeni Malkin, PIT ($7,400) -- Malkin has at least 4.0 DraftKings points in each of the Pittsburgh Penguins' first three games, and has 22 points (three goals, 19 assists) and 53 shots on goal in 18 career regular-season road games against the Washington Capitals. He had seven points (three goals, four assists) in Pittsburgh's seven-game series against them in the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Value pick: Nazem Kadri, TOR ($5,400) -- Kadri offers affordable exposure to the Toronto Maple Leafs offense, and can be easily stacked with linemate Patrick Marleau ($5,000) or Leo Komarov ($3,600) in DFS. Kadri, who has four points (two goals, two assists), two blocks and 10 shots on goal in three games, ranks tied for fourth among centers in DraftKings points per game (5.3) with John Tavares (NYI; $6,700), who's priced much higher.

WINGS
Spend up for: David Pastrnak, BOS ($7,100) -- The Boston Bruins have bounce-back appeal at the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday after losing 4-0 to them at home on Monday, and Pastrnak can do some damage on a line with David Krejci or Brad Marchand and power-play unit with defenseman Torey Krug, who's back from injury. Pastrnak has one goal, one block and seven SOG in two games this season.
Value pick: Jaromir Jagr, CGY ($3,400) -- The 45-year-old forward will make his season debut for the Calgary Flames at the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday. He's expected to play on their third line with forwards Sam Bennett and Kris Versteeg, and should see some power-play time as well. He's priced extremely low and could easily score at least one point with multiple SOG.
DEFENSEMEN
Spend up for: Tyson Barrie, COL ($4,700) -- The Avalanche are off to a great start (2-1-0) considering the low preseason expectations surrounding them, and Barrie should come out flying in their home opener against the Bruins. He's averaging 4.2 DraftKings points per game this season with two points (one goal, one assist), three blocks and 12 SOG in three games. Stack Barrie with Mikko Rantanen ($4,500; 3.3 DraftKings points per game); they play together on Colorado's first power-play unit.

Value pick: Jake Gardiner, TOR ($4,400) -- Another way to tap into the Maple Leafs offense is to invest in one of their affordable defensemen who see power-play time: Gardiner or Morgan Rielly ($4,300). The New Jersey Devils have cruised past the Avalanche and Buffalo Sabres in their first two games, but Toronto is a much more difficult beast to tame. Gardiner has three points (one goal, two assists) and plays on the first power-play unit with Auston Matthews, William Nylander and Marleau.
GOALTENDER
Jaroslav Halak, NYI ($6,800) -- Halak has looked sharp so far for the New York Islanders; he stopped 37 of 40 shots faced in a win against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday, and led the NHL in goals-against average (0.75) and save percentage (.974) in the preseason (three games). He has a chance to return value against the depleted Anaheim Ducks on the road; he finished last season 6-1-0 with a .949 SV% and one shutout over the Islanders' final seven games (six road games).
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