Fantasy picks: Leddy among highest-scoring defensemen

All season long, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. These targets at each position can be used as a basis for your roster decision-making.

CENTER:

Value pick: Mikael Granlund, MIN ($5,000 at BUF) - The Minnesota Wild forward got off to a slow, injury-plagued start, but has a four-game point streak and 11 points (three goals, eight assists) over his past 10 games. Five of the points have come on the Wild's first power-play unit, and Granlund should keep rolling against the Buffalo Sabres, who are allowing the fifth-most DraftKings points to opposing centers. In addition to his three-point game against the New Jersey Devils on Monday, Granlund had a season-high six shots on goal.
Spend up for: Nathan MacKinnon, COL ($6,200 vs. DAL)- potential line stack with Mikko Rantanen (W, $4,700)

WING

Value pick: Jake Guentzel, PIT ($4,800 vs. VAN)- With Evgeni Malkin (upper body) out for the Pittsburgh Penguins against the Vancouver Canucks on Wednesday, Guentzel is expected to get a trial as their second-line center alongside Phil Kessel ($6,800). Guentzel has underachieved compared to his rookie season, but is in a bounce-back spot playing on a power-play unit that's tied for fourth in the NHL at 22.9 percent. Guentzel had one goal, one block and four shots on goal against the Canucks on Nov. 4 (5.5 DraftKings points).
Spend up for: James van Riemsdyk, TOR ($6,000 at FLA)
Worth noting: Kyle Palmieri of the New Jersey Devils is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken foot, opening the door for rookie Jesper Bratt ($4,200) to be a worthwhile value pick against the Boston Bruins on Wednesday. Bratt has been held without a point in each of his past three games, but should see a bigger workload at even strength and on the power play against the depleted Bruins, who are allowing the fourth-most DraftKings points to opposing wings.

DEFENSEMAN:

Value pick: Nick Leddy, NYI ($5,500 vs. PHI)- Since Oct. 21, Leddy leads all defensemen in scoring with 15 points (five goals, 10 assists) in 13 games. He's averaging nearly three shots on goal per game (36) in the stretch and has five power-play points on the New York Islanders' first unit with John Tavares (C, $7,700) and rookie Mathew Barzal (C, $5,300). The Philadelphia Flyers are on the second leg of a back-to-back set, and Leddy has nine points (three goals, six assists) in eight home games.
Spend up for: John Klingberg, DAL ($5,900 at COL)
Worth noting: Shea Weber (lower body) of the Montreal Canadiens is a game-time decision against the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. He's priced seventh among defensemen at $5,700 in DraftKings and has one goal, no assists and two shots on goal in two career games against his former team.

GOALTENDER:

Antti Raanta, ARI ($7,000 vs. SJS) - The Arizona Coyotes have won three straight, and Raanta should feed off the momentum against the San Jose Sharks on Wednesday. Raanta is overdue for better home results; he's 1-2-1 in five home starts despite a .921 save percentage. The Sharks have lost three straight and have been held to two goals or fewer in six of their past seven games.
READ:
Full list of projected starting goaltenders for Wed. Nov. 22
---
Check out DraftKings.com to play 1-Day Fantasy Hockey today. Entering is quick and simple: sign up for one free entry with first deposit (min $5) into a $3 1-Day Fantasy Hockey contest and set your lineup, catch the games and win!
For entertainment purposes only. Winning a contest on DraftKings depends on knowledge and exercise of skill. Available to play for free. Not a gambling website. See www.ncrg.org for information regarding responsible gaming. Must be at least 18 years or older. Higher age limits may apply in some states. Residents of AL, AZ, GA, HI, ID, IA, LA, MT, NV and WA not eligible to play in paid contests. Offered in IL and TX pending litigation. Void where prohibited. See www.draftkings.com/help/terms for details.