Fantasy picks: Evgeny Kuznetsov heating up

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.
C - Ryan Getzlaf, ANA ($6,500)
Getzlaf is on a three-game point streak (one goal, three assists), and has five blocks and eight shots on goal in that span. The Anaheim Ducks have scored at least four goals in three of their past five games (4-1-0) and continue a six-game road trip against the Detroit Red Wings, who have allowed 13 goals on a four-game losing streak. Anaheim's lineup is far too physical for Detroit to handle, making Getzlaf a safe play for 50/50s and tournaments (considering his affordable price).

C - Evgeny Kuznetsov, WSH ($5,700)
Normally a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens would mean fade, fade, fade. But Carey Price was pulled after allowing four goals on 18 shots against the San Jose Sharks on Friday and will likely start against the Washington Capitals. Kuznetsov has picked up his scoring pace after struggling early in the season. He enters Friday on a five-game point streak (seven assists) with at least 2.5 DraftKings points in each game. Like Getzlaf, the Capitals center is normally considered elite, but isn't priced in that tier because of his struggles. He's a solid play in large tournaments and cash games.

W - Jeff Skinner, CAR ($6,500)
The Carolina Hurricanes enter Friday on a seven-game home win streak and Skinner has a lot to do with that success. He has seven goals, six assists and 44 SOG in 11 home games (5.1 DraftKings points per contest) with the Hurricanes set to play the Capitals on Friday. The Buffalo Sabres are also playing the second of a back-to-back and backup Anders Nilsson has allowed at least three goals in four straight games. Skinner does most of his damage on the power play and Buffalo ranks 28th on the road in penalty kill percentage (73.1).
W - Jakob Silfverberg, ANA ($5,800)
It's never a bad idea to get exposure to multiple lines on a team expected to succeed against its opponent. Silfverberg is skating on the Ducks second line with Ryan Kesler and Andrew Cogliano, and Getzlaf would cover Anaheim's first unit for you. The right wing has been a great cash-game play lately, scoring at least 2.5 DraftKings points in each of his past nine games. Silfverberg also has at least five SOG in five of his past nine, which adds to his appeal in 50/50 contests.

W - Bryan Rust, PIT ($4,700)
With the Pittsburgh Penguins set to play the second of a back-to-back against the Toronto Maple Leafs, expect their elite players to be heavily owned in most contests. Employing Rust will give you a contrarian option on an offense that should score more than four goals. Rust enters Friday against the Los Angeles Kings with goals in back-to-back games and five in his past five. For the low price, Rust makes for a decent play in tournaments as a punt play with hopes he'll keep up his scoring pace.
D - Trevor Daley, PIT ($4,200)
In keeping with the theme of bargain players on Pittsburgh, we come to Daley, who will see increased usage with top defenseman Kris Letang sidelined. Daley had been skating on the Penguins' first power-play unit before Letang's injury and should remain there with Sidney Crosby, Phil Kessel and Evgeni Malkin. He is no stranger to playing big minutes and is a cheaper option to Justin Schultz ($4,700), who will likely have a higher ownership percentage. Daley enters Friday with a point in each of the past three games and has four blocks in that span.

D - Damon Severson, NJD ($4,100)
Severson seemed primed for a breakout season, but has since fallen off with the New Jersey Devils. He's gone four straight without a point and hasn't scored since Nov. 15 against the Dallas Stars. The Devils are on a four-game losing streak and their offense could wake up against the Ottawa Senators, who have allowed 22 goals in their past five games (1-3-1). Severson is the lone defenseman on New Jersey's power play and Ottawa has allowed seven power-play goals in the past four games.
G - Ben Bishop, TBL ($7,500)
The matchup against the Edmonton Oilers on the road is less than ideal, but Bishop is hard to pass up at this price despite his poor play recently. Andrei Vasilevskiy is in net Friday against the Vancouver Canucks so Bishop should start Saturday. This could be a statement game for Bishop and the Tampa Bay Lightning against a young Oilers team, and it helps that Bishop's stats are better on the road: five wins, 2.60 goals-against average, .913 save percentage in 12 games. Bishop is a risky against-the-grain play for tournaments.

UTIL - Adam Henrique, NJD ($4,800)
Henrique is known for being a streaky player and is coming off a shorthanded goal and an assist for 7.0 DraftKings points in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday. As mentioned above, the Senators defense hasn't been up to par lately and a struggling Devils offense will need Henrique to get going. New Jersey isn't a terrible stack option with plenty of forwards priced under $6,000: Travis Zajac (C, $5,500), Michael Cammalleri (W, $5,500) and Kyle Palmieri (W, $4,800).
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