Fantasy picks: Canadiens have contrarian upside

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.

CENTER

Ryan O'Reilly, BUF ($5,300 vs. VAN)
O'Reilly and the Buffalo Sabres power play showed signs of life Tuesday in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. O'Reilly scored twice with the man-advantage and had five shots on goal for 9.0 DraftKings points. The Vancouver Canucks are playing the second of a back-to-back and allowed four power-play goals to the Boston Bruins in a 6-3 loss Thursday.
Other value center: Joe Thornton, SJS ($5,000 at NJD)
WORTH NOTING: The New Jersey Devils may be coming off a tough overtime win against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, but they are second in the NHL with 4.29 goals per game and offer plenty of cheap center options. Rookie Nico Hischier ($4,500) is on a three-game point streak (two goals, four assists) and had 9.0 Draftkings points against Ottawa. Adam Henrique ($4,300) has played big minutes this season (19:21 per game) and had a season-high seven SOG on Thursday.

WING

Jake Guentzel, PIT ($6,200 at FLA)
As long as Guentzel is on a line with Sidney Crosby ($8,100), he's going to have a high DFS ceiling. The second-year wing has been quiet his past two games, but the Florida Panthers have allowed at least four goals in four of five games this season. The Pittsburgh Penguins scored four goals on the Panthers less than a week ago as well. Guentzel is a solid tournament stack with Crosby and defenseman Olli Maatta ($4,200), who has seven points in seven games.
Other value wing: Jason Pominville, BUF ($4,900 vs. VAN)
WORTH NOTING: Rookie forward Brock Boeser ($4,200) started off the season as a healthy scratch for the Canucks, but has since scored five points (two goals, three assists) with 11 SOG in four games. The Sabres have allowed the fourth-most goals per game (3.86), and Boeser has a good chance to push his point streak to five games.

DEFENSEMAN

Victor Mete, MTL ($3,300 at ANA)
At some point Mete's heavy workload is going to translate into points. The Montreal Canadiens are on the road at the Anaheim Ducks and looking to end a six-game losing streak. There's a sense of desperation which at the very least could turn into a win. Mete skates with Shea Weber ($5,300) at even strength and on the power play, and won't be bogged down from playing shorthanded. The rookie also has a penchant for blocking shots (10 in seven games).
Other value defenseman: Will Butcher, NJD ($4,300 vs. SJS)
WORTH NOTING: The San Jose Sharks haven't exactly played inspiring hockey (2-3-0) to start this season, but there's reason to think their offense could turn things around. The Devils have the fifth-worst penalty kill in the League (75.7 percent), allowing a PPG in five of seven games. Brent Burns ($7,200) has vastly underperformed (two assists in five games), but we could see a vintage performance Friday. Lineups could fade Burns because of his struggles, potentially bumping his ownership down.

GOALTENDER

Carey Price, MTL ($7,200 at ANA)
As was mentioned above, the Canadiens are in desperation mode on a six-game skid and will need a big game out of the highest-paid goaltender in the NHL. Price is priced ninth among the 12 goalies on this six-game slate, which seems absurd given the matchup; the Ducks have been ravaged by injuries and have scored two or fewer goals in four of six games this season.
Other value goalie: Connor Hellebuyck, WPG ($7,500 vs. MIN)
WORTH NOTING: With Cory Schneider (lower body) on injured reserve, the spotlight is on backup Keith Kinkaid ($7,700) to keep New Jersey's three-game winning streak alive. In two career starts against San Jose, Kinkaid is 1-1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .944 save percentage. He played well in a 3-2 win against the New York Rangers last Saturday (29 saves) and stopped all nine shots he faced Thursday after taking over for Schneider.
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