Fantasy picks: Johnny Gaudreau sleeping giant

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.

C - Artem Anisimov, CHI ($6,200)
Anisimov's point streak reached 10 games (seven goals, eight assists) in the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 win against the Dallas Stars on Thursday. The Blackhawks have scored 18 goals during a five-game winning streak and the Stars, who they play again Sunday rank in the bottom third of the NHL in goals allowed per game (3.10) and penalty kill percentage (75.7). Anisimov is the seventh-highest priced center and arguably has the highest floor (4.1 DraftKings points per game) of anyone at his position. Stacking Anisimov with affordable wings like Artemi Panarin ($6,900) and Marian Hossa ($5,200) is a smart way to build your lineup.
C - Kevin Hayes, NYR ($3,600)
If you're looking for more of a home-run play, Hayes has three goals and five assists in his past four games with a favorable matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. The Jets have allowed at least three goals in their past four games (1-2-1) and the New York Rangers have the most goals in the League (50). All of Hayes' 11 points have come at even-strength or shorthanded, so he isn't reliant on time on the power play, though he does play in all situations. The Rangers are another appealing stack option Sunday with Hayes, J.T. Miller (W; $5,000) and Michael Grabner (W; $4,100) only using 25.4 percent of your salary cap.

W - Taylor Hall, NJ ($6,300)
The New Jersey Devils have struggled to score without the man-advantage, but 26 of the Carolina Hurricanes' 34 goals allowed have come at even-strength. Hall enters Sunday third on the Devils in time on ice per game (20:11) and will have plenty of opportunities to score even if the Devils power play (9th; 23.3 percent) is shut down by the Hurricanes penalty kill (7th; 86.2 percent). He is eighth in the League in shots on goal per game (4.1) and also has four blocks in his past four games. Hall offers a nice contrarian play with a high floor for both tournaments and cash games.
W - Johnny Gaudreau, CGY ($6,200)
There might not be another point during this season where Gaudreau's price tag will be this low. Sure, he only has two goals and five assists in 12 games (2.8 DraftKings points per game), but we all saw what he did last season (78 points in 79 games). The Anaheim Ducks have allowed the second-most points to opposing wings in DraftKings and there's a chance center Ryan Getzlaf won't play Sunday, which would help Gaudreau's matchup. You're essentially banking on Gaudreau performing at the level he's accustomed to for a price that would make him one of the best value plays.
D - Erik Johnson, COL ($5,100)
With almost no elite options at defenseman for Sunday -- Dustin Byfuglien is the highest priced at $6,200 -- You will want to target safe, guaranteed points. Johnson, a blocked shots specialist, has surprisingly been one of the most consistent defensemen in DraftKings. He is tied for fourth in the NHL with 2.8 blocks per game, and along with his 2.4 SOG per game, Johnson is a safe bet to get at least 2.5-3.0 DraftKings points. The defenseman also leads Colorado in ice time per game (22:58) and the St. Louis Blues have allowed 11 goals in their past two games. Johnson's teammate Tyson Barrie ($4,800) should also be considered.
D - Damon Severson, NJ ($3,800)
If you can believe it, Severson is leading the Devils in scoring through 10 games this season with nine points (two goals, seven assists). He is fourth on the team in average ice time (19:57) playing on the top pairing with captain Andy Greene. It's hard to find a more affordable top-pairing defenseman who produces like Severson and the Devils have the best matchup at the position with the Hurricanes allowing the sixth-most points to opposing defensemen.

G - Scott Darling, CHI ($7,800)
With Corey Crawford starting against the Stars on Saturday, Darling is expected to be in net Sunday for the second of a home-and-home. Darling has made at least 30 saves in each of his two starts, both wins, and Dallas could be without center Jason Spezza, who left the game Saturday with a lower-body injury. The Stars already are incredibly shorthanded; Patrick Sharp, Ales Hemsky and Jiri Hudler are all out with different ailments. The Blackhawks did a nice job limiting Dallas' top two players in Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, and Chicago will want to extend its win streak to six games in another big game against a Central Division opponent.
G - Jake Allen, STL ($7,700)
The Colorado Avalanche will be playing the second of a back-to-back and Allen did not play against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, giving him an extra day of rest. The Avalanche have scored two goals in their past three games and Allen should bounce-back after struggling on the road against difficult offenses (Rangers, Stars). Allen offers a favorable matchup at decent pricing as a contrarian play.
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