Fantasy picks: Nikita Kucherov not slowing down

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 -- Patrice Bergeron, BOS ($6,600)
Bergeron has two goals and four points in eight games with the Boston Bruins this season, but has averaged almost a block and four SOG per game. He's obviously a great faceoff specialist and defensive forward, which doesn't count for much in DraftKings but are a reason he plays in all situations and is just as much a threat to score as he is to block a shot. Bergeron is averaging 3.4 DraftKings points per game and has three points in the past two games. He's a solid option against the Buffalo Sabres.

C -- Vincent Trocheck, FLA ($5,200)
The Florida Panthers center has six goals in 12 games and points in three of four (three goals, two assists). He's taken almost three SOG per game and has averaged 3.6 DraftKings points per contest. With Jonathan Huberdeau out, Trocheck has stepped it up offensively, and would be in line for more ice time if forward Jaromir Jagr can't play against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday after leaving the game Saturday with an injury.
W -- Nikita Kucherov, TBL ($6,500)
Kucherov is the second most expensive wing in Monday contests, and rightly so. He has 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) and has at least a point in eight of 11 games. The 23-year-old held out of camp for a new contract and has shown his worth early on with three multipoint games, including two four-point games. Kucherov is obviously an important piece to the Lightning offense and is always a threat to score or pile up DraftKings points (4.0 per contest this season). It's also a rivalry game against the Panthers.

W -- Kyle Okposo, BUF ($6,000)
Okposo has looked impressive for the most part in his first season with the Sabres. He has five goals and eight points and is averaging 3.4 DraftKings points per contest, including six games with at least 3.0 points. Okposo only has one block this season, but is averaging 2.40 SOG per game. The Sabres visit the Bruins and Okposo has great road splits; he has seven points (four goals) in seven road games this season.
D -- Anton Stralman, TBL, ($4,100)
Stralman is second in ice time per game (22:31) among Lightning skaters and second on the team among defensemen in power-play ice time (2:38) and shorthanded ice time (2:33), so he plays in all situations. He has six points (all assists) in 12 games (2.2 DraftKings points per contest) but has an assist and a block in three of his past four games. Stralman gets to face the Panthers, who have lost five of seven games and have allowed at least three goals in five of those games.
D -- Dennis Seidenberg, NYI ($3,500)
The New York Islanders defenseman wasn't signed until after the World Cup of Hockey 2016 ended in September. He has four goals in 12 games this season, matching his total from 2012-13 in 46 games (Seidenberg had five combined goals in the past three seasons). He had two assists, 2 SOG and five blocks (7.5 DraftKings points) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday and has two goals and four assists in four games. Seidenberg has been the most productive offensive defenseman for the Islanders and despite the low shot total (14) and 31 blocks and is a decent play against the Vancouver Canucks.

G -- Ryan Miller, VAN ($7,400)
This probably won't be a popular pick, since Miller is 1-5-0 this season, but he does have a 2.53 GAA and .916 SV%. The Canucks goalie has averaged 3.4 DraftKings points per contest and has allowed two goals or fewer in four of six starts. Miller has allowed 15 goals in six games but has received six regulation goals of support in those games. If Vancouver can score a few goals against the Islanders, Miller is capable of getting an elusive win. If Jacob Markstrom (3-2-1, 2.11 GAA, .920 SV%, 3.7 DraftKings points per contest) starts, he's worth a roster spot, also priced at $7,400.
G -- Tuukka Rask, BOS ($7,900)
Rask is the fifth most expensive goalie on a three-game night, which gives him an advantage already. Despite allowing five goals on 24 shots in a 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers on Saturday, the Bruins goalie is 6-1-0 with a 1.98 GAA and .932 SV%. He had negative DraftKings points against the Rangers, but is still averaging 6.9 per contest and draws a favorable matchup at home against the Sabres.

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