This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Pekka Rinne, NSH vs. DAL ($7,900): I wouldn't make this recommendation if the Preds weren't at home, where Rinne is 11-3-0 with a .928 save percentage and 1.86 GAA. He's had a bad December so far with four straight losses on the road. A long break should help the team reset, and even with John Klingberg back in the lineup the Stars offense still feels underwhelming. Marc-Andre Fleury ($7,400) and Connor Hellebuyck ($7,600) are also good value picks.
CENTER
Connor McDavid, EDM vs. VAN ($8,000): The Canucks have been better than anyone thought this season basically because of Elias Pettersson, but defensively the team remains a mixed bag. Expected starter Jacob Markstrom has been excellent this month, but they've historically had a lot of trouble containing teams with speed. McDavid has scored 16 points in 14 career games against the Canucks.
Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. DET ($6,300): The Wings have allowed the second-most goals this season with 126 and they're just one of two teams in the East who have a losing record at home. Even with just four points in his past six games and zero in his past two, Malkin is underpriced at $6,300 with only Sean Monahan and Evgeny Kuznetsov over a point-per-game in the $6,000 range. Malkin has 23 career points in 16 games against the Wings. Anze Kopitar ($5,300) is also another solid choice.
WING
Mikko Rantanen, COL at VGK ($7,400): Perhaps a slump in the second half of the season is due, but with three points in his past three games, that still seems rather unlikely at the moment. The Knights are good at home, and Rantanen failed to register a single point against them in three games last season, but that trend is unlikely to continue. Rantanen is slightly off pace with "just" 16 points in 11 games in December but continues to rank among the league's best scorers.
Alex DeBrincat, CHI vs. MIN ($5,400): He returns from the holiday break on a three-game goal streak, giving him 31 points in 39 games and providing a lot of scoring depth for the Blackhawks. With news that Matt Dumba is out long-term, DeBrincat's line could see lots of benefits playing against weaker pairings. If Dylan Sikura stays on DeBrincat's line, it gives the Blackhawks a very talented albeit young scoring line.
Brandon Pirri, VGK vs. COL ($4,300): If Pirri can continue his hot pace — three goals and an assist in three games — he's going to be undervalued for a few more games. The inconsistent but clearly talented scorer has been lights-out during his call-ups, both this season and last season, and with the way he's been scoring it's difficult to put him in the press box. If Max Pacioretty returns tonight, Pirri's value takes a hit, but he will continue to get offensive opportunities.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL at NSH ($5,200):` Sure, it's always an uphill climb in Nashville, but with three games under his belt since returning from a hand injury and a holiday break thrown in between, Klingberg should be able to get going sooner than later. He is certainly priced at the lower end of his value proposition and traditionally has fared rather well against the Preds with 11 points in 17 career games against them.
Drew Doughty, LA vs. ARI ($4,800): He was on a roll entering the break with three assists in four games, and now faces a team who he's scored 29 points in 51 games against in his career. The Coyotes are without their top goalie and remain an inconsistent team with a 7-10-1 record at home. Despite making significant changes they've hardly moved the needle, and in their past four games against the Kings have been outscored 14-8.
