DraftKings NHL daily picks: Feb. 16

CENTERS
Spend up for: Evgeny Kuznetsov, Washington Capitals (DraftKings price: $6,300)
Kuznetsov has been a top-15 fantasy asset and as consistent as anyone League-wide regardless of situation. He has 13 points in his past 10 games (3.9 DraftKings points per contest), which is nearly in line with his season average (3.7), as well as his home (3.7) and road splits (3.6). He has 28 points in 26 home games with more than two shots on goal per game this season. His linemates are affordable stacks, and Justin Williams has goals in two of his past three games and could have a big game against his former team, the Los Angeles Kings.

Value pick: Joe Thornton, San Jose Sharks ($5,400)
Thornton has been a value pick for weeks. Since Dec. 15, he has at least one point in 23 of his past 25 games and has the third most points in the League (32) in that two-month span, yet is still priced well outside the top 50 among all players in Tuesday DraftKings contests. If Thornton doesn't fit your price point, two other strong value picks deeper down the line are top-six forwards Sam Reinhart of the Buffalo Sabres ($4,200 at Ottawa Senators) and Mattias Janmark of the Dallas Stars ($3,500 at St. Louis Blues).
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WINGS
Spend up for: Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning ($6,800)
In the aforementioned span for Thornton, Kucherov is not far behind him at fifth in the League in points (30 in past 24 games). He has been playing well alongside Tyler Johnson ($5,200) but gets an added boost Tuesday when Ondrej Palat rejoins that line. "The Triplets" were the highest-scoring trio in the NHL last season and a DFS menace in the regular season and Stanley Cup Playoffs. The Sharks are a formidable road team, but it would not be surprising to see their game against the Lightning turn into a track meet.
Value pick: Marcus Foligno, Buffalo Sabres ($3,100)
Foligno, a gritty forward who can chip in offensively, has been getting top-six reps lately for the Sabres and could be in line for an elevated role again Tuesday with Evander Kane suspended for violating a team rule. Foligno and the Sabres visit the Senators, who allow the second-most points to opposing wings this season. He's only priced $600 above the DraftKings minimum and has three goals, one assist, two blocks and six SOG in his past two games.
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DEFENSEMEN
Spend up for: Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings ($6,200)
Doughty has 23 points and outstanding category coverage (42 blocks, 67 SOG) in 31 road games this season for an average of 3.4 DraftKings points. The Kings get Jonathan Quick ($8,100) back in the lineup for a potential Stanley Cup Final preview at the Capitals. He averages more than 27 minutes per game including top power-play minutes, offering exposure to every situation in the book and high-floor reliability in DFS. He's tied for sixth among defensemen in DraftKings price, so he even offers salary cap relief.
Value pick: Seth Jones, Columbus Blue Jackets ($4,800)
The Boston Bruins allow the eighth-most DraftKings points to opposing defensemen, and Jones has put together one of the best stretches of his young career in terms of coverage in a first-pair role. He's playing more than 24 minutes per game with six assists, 19 blocks and 24 SOG in his past 10 games (3.4 DraftKings points), and has points in two straight games for the Blue Jackets. His previous outing (two assists, three blocks, four SOG for 7.5 DraftKings points) shows how high his ceiling is any given night. If you're not spending up for a defenseman, Jones provides the category safety you need in a value pick on the blue line.
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GOALIES
Spend up for: Cory Schneider, New Jersey Devils ($8,300)
Schneider is 2-0-1 with six goals allowed and a .929 save percentage in three games against the Philadelphia Flyers this season, so roll him out with confidence at home as the Devils look to stay in the thick of the Eastern Conference wild card race. He's 6-3-1 in his past 10 with an average of 5.4 DraftKings points per contest and is a safer bet than tapping into the Blues' Brian Elliott ($8,400; most expensive goalie) at home against the Dallas Stars. The Flyers allow the second-most DraftKings points to opposing goalies, so you have to love Schneider's chances at Prudential Center.
Value pick: Eddie Lack, Carolina Hurricanes ($6,800)
With Cam Ward injured again, Lack is confirmed for Tuesday and goes up against the Winnipeg Jets, who are among the League's bottom 10 in points allowed to opposing goalies. Winnipeg just sent rookie Connor Hellebuyck, their top goalie statistically, to the American Hockey League after the return of Ondrej Pavelec. Expect the Hurricanes to have a big offensive showing at home, where Lack has won his past two starts. He relieved Ward against the New York Islanders on Saturday, making nine saves on 10 shots, and is tied for 26th among goalies in DraftKings price on this eight-game Tuesday.
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