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 - Connor McDavid, EDM ($8,400)
McDavid is a DFS lineup lock on the road against the Vancouver Canucks, whom he scored five points in four games against last season. He has four points in two road games this season and leads the NHL in scoring with 11 points in seven games entering Thursday. He can be rolled out on his own or with linemate Milan Lucic (W, $5,500) and/or Jordan Eberle ($6,900) at even strength. It's worth noting he also sees time with Leon Draisaitl (C, $5,400) on the first power-play unit.
Fantasy picks: Sebastian Aho underrated rookie
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C - Pavel Zacha, NJD ($3,800)
Zacha benefited from his new top-line, first power-play role with Taylor Hall ($6,300) and Kyle Palmieri ($4,600) by getting two assists, one on the power play, a shot on goal and a block Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes (5.0 DraftKings points). Stacked or not, he's in a favorable spot against the Chicago Blackhawks' weak penalty kill (46.1 percent; worst in NHL).
W - Johnny Gaudreau, CGY ($6,900)
Gaudreau got a much-needed confidence boost after a slow start when he scored one goal and had an assist at the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday. Now he and the Calgary Flames return home to face the Ottawa Senators, who have a suspect defense and will be without goalie Craig Anderson (personal reasons). Gaudreau led the NHL with 56 points in 40 home games last season.
W - Sebastian Aho, CAR ($4,100)
Aho is one of the most underrated rookies in the League thus far with five assists, three on the power play, and 12 SOG in six games. He has bounced around lately at even strength but has been a power-play fixture for Carolina, averaging 3:52 per game with the man-advantage. He has a positive Shot Attempts ratio (12) and ranks second among rookies in assists per 60 minutes (3.42; min. six games played) behind Anthony Beauvillier (3.77) of the New York Islanders.
D - Duncan Keith, CHI ($5,900)
Keith is still seeking his first goal of the season (16 SOG), but has six assists with eight blocked shots (3.4 DraftKings points per game) in seven games. He has eight points and 36 SOG in 11 career games against the New Jersey Devils, and mans the first power-play unit for Chicago with Patrick Kane.
D - Damon Severson, NJD ($3,600)
The Blackhawks have struggled on the penalty kill and are allowing the seventh-most DraftKings points to opposing defensemen. Severson, who's seeing the bulk of the power-play time among Devils defensemen, had two assists against the Coyotes on Tuesday and has scored all four of his points on the power play. He doesn't provide great coverage in SOG (eight) or blocks (six), but is well worth the price of admission considering the exposure to prime scoring chances in a favorable matchup.
G - John Gibson, ANA ($7,800)
Gibson, priced fifth among goalies, faces the Columbus Blue Jackets, who will be on the second leg of a back-to-back set. He has shaken off a slow start by winning three of his past four games, allowing two or fewer goals in each with a DraftKings points per game average of 5.2. His save percentage for the season is .913, but his rate has been stellar since the Ducks returned to California after a season-opening road trip (.945 in past three games).
G - Cam Talbot, EDM ($7,700)
Talbot has the highest DraftKings points per game average among Friday goalies (6.6), leads the NHL in wins (six) and is riding high after stopping 34 of 35 shots faced at home against the Washington Capitals. He is 3-0-3 with a .929 SV% in six career games against Vancouver, and is a no-brainer in DFS during his current hot streak, especially if you spend up for McDavid.
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