Fantasy picks: Predators offer appealing stack

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 - Eric Staal, MIN ($5,600)
Staal is experiencing a renaissance under coach Bruce Boudreau with the Minnesota Wild. He has a goal and four assists on a three-game point streak and has at least a point in eight of his past nine. The Calgary Flames have allowed at least four goals in each of a four-game losing streak. Goalie Brian Elliott (3.36 goals-against average, .882 save percentage) is expected to start and has allowed at least four goals in six of 11 games. Staal and linemate Charlie Coyle (W; $5,000) make for a very affordable stack in a favorable matchup.
C - Adam Henrique, NJ ($4,000)
On a night with 13 games, it's always wise to target low-cost, low-ownership players. Henrique has struggled for the New Jersey Devils this season but had two assists (4.5 DraftKings points) against the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. A 30-goal scorer last season, Henrique gets a great matchup against the Dallas Stars, who have allowed 17 goals (four PPG) in their past four games. The Devils have scored 13 goals on a four-game win streak, above average by their standards. Henrique's linemate Kyle Palmieri (W; $4,500) also seems to be getting things going, and the two are another affordable stack to consider.

W - Alex Ovechkin, WSH ($8,400)
Ovechkin hasn't been his usual self this season (seven goals in 14 games) and hasn't scored in three straight. But the Columbus Blue Jackets have allowed 11 goals (four PPG) in their past three games. In 21 career games against Columbus, Ovechkin has 13 goals (6 PPG) with 119 shots on goal (5.6 per game). The Washington Capitals are coming off a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, and it's only a matter of time before their offense wakes up. Try stacking Ovi with either Nicklas Backstrom (C; $6,100) or Evgeny Kuznetsov (C; $5,900), each available at a good price.
W - James Neal, NSH ($5,900)
Neal comes into the Nashville Predators game against the Toronto Maple Leafs on a four-game goal streak (five goals, one assist). He's averaging 6.0 DraftKings points per contest during the streak and also has 13 SOG. The Maple Leafs have allowed 14 goals and an average of 41.6 SOG in their past three games. Neal conveniently is priced 17th among wings for the 13-game schedule and arguably has the best matchup. The Predators are one of the top teams to stack Tuesday, with plenty of cheap forwards and elite defensemen.
D - P.K. Subban, NSH ($6,100)
Speaking of elite Predators defensemen, Subban gets the recommendation over Roman Josi ($6,200) because he's a bit cheaper. You really can't go wrong with either against the Maple Leafs considering each averages more than 24:00 of ice time with 3:00-plus on the power play and 2:00-plus shorthanded. Subban will be amped to be back playing in his native Toronto, where he has 19 points in 29 career games against the Maple Leafs. With two blocks in each of his past three games, all Subban needs Tuesday is to put up points and generate more shots to finish as one of the top scorers among defensemen.

D - Michael Del Zotto, PHI ($4,100)
In four games since returning from a lower-body injury, Del Zotto has a goal, two assists, seven blocks and eight SOG (3.6 DraftKings points per contest). The Ottawa Senators don't allow many goals (2.33 per game) but give up the fourth-most DraftKings points to opposing defensemen and haven't seen an offense like the Philadelphia Flyers' since October. Del Zotto is skating on the top pair with Shayne Gostisbehere at even strength and is averaging 2:12 of shorthanded ice time. As far as safe, affordable options go, Del Zotto is among the most appealing defenseman for cash games.
G - Semyon Varlamov, COL ($7,500)
The Colorado Avalanche have struggled to provide goal support (1.93 per game) for Varlamov, but that shouldn't be a problem against the Los Angeles Kings at home. Varlamov has played well in his past two starts, making 16 saves in a 3-2 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Friday and 44 saves in a 2-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday. In 11 career games against the Kings, Varlamov is 6-4-1 with a 1.97 GAA and .931 SV%. Los Angeles likely will be without top center Anze Kopitar, and the Kings have scored four goals on a three-game losing streak. Varlamov is a nice contrarian play for tournaments with the 13-game schedule.
G - Robin Lehner, BUF ($6,900)
The Buffalo Sabres haven't done Lehner any favors this season, but their poor play in front of him has helped boost his fantasy value. The Sabres have surrendered an average of 35.25 SOG in their past four games but have allowed a combined 11 goals in that span. Lehner (4.4 DraftKings points per contest) has respectable numbers (2.36 GAA, .923 SV%), should see a lot of shots, and the St. Louis Blues present a soft matchup having scored one goal in two of their past three games. Selecting Lehner also gives you some cap flexibility to spend at other positions.
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