This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's an interesting NHL schedule on Friday. Of the 16 teams in action, 13 will also be playing Saturday, as the Lightning, Capitals and Ducks are the only clubs not in the front end of a back-to-back set. Additionally, with a quiet Thursday, there are no teams playing for the second consecutive night.
Notable Favorites from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Washington
Carolina
St. Louis
Potential High-Scoring Contests:
Philadelphia-New Jersey
Buffalo-Washington
Winnipeg-San Jose
GOALIES
The Stars have turned things around of late with a win in four of their past five outings. A road date in Colorado is typically a daunting test, but Dallas is rested, and the Avs are missing a number of key offensive players. Additionally, Anton Khudobin's ($7,000) salary opens up spending room for the rest of your lineup. The veteran also posted a rock-solid .923 save percentage last season, and Dallas' 1.83 expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five is the second lowest mark in the league.
A high-risk, high-reward option at a reasonable price, Connor Hellebuyck ($7,300) is another road option to consider. Even with three goals or more allowed in four of his 10 starts, the American still boast a respectable .921 save percentage and 2.63 GAA. His salary is also manageable, and the Sharks have scored just eight five-on-five goals through their past six contests.
The price is high, and there have been minor peaks and valleys to start the season for Jordan Binnington ($8,400), but his numbers remain solid and St. Louis is a considerable favorite.The sophomore netminder's 30-7-4 record, .924 save percentage and 2.05 GAA dating back to last season solidifies his case.The Blue Jackets have also lost four of their past six contests with just 2.5 regulation goals per game.
The Canucks are rolling along an 8-1-1 stretch with just 2.24 goals against per hour, so a date with the middling Ducks isn't a significant concern. Even with Anaheim scoring seven times in its latest outing, both Jacob Markstrom ($7,600) and Thatcher Demko ($7,500) have been solid this season and backstopped Vancouver to an impressive, sixth-ranked .921 team save percentage.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Sporting a 12-game point streak to start the season, Nathan MacKinnon ($8,000) warrants nightly consideration. His 1.41 goals and 3.37 points per 60 minutes dating back to the beginning of last season are elite marks, and the visiting Stars have won just two of seven road games to start the campaign.
Logan Couture ($4,900) recorded a rock-solid 1.22 goals per 60 minutes and 14.8 shooting percentage over the previous three seasons, so look for statistical correction to his current 0.25 and 3.7 marks. The veteran is skating atop the depth charts in all situations, and Winnipeg has been prone to poor defensive showings with four goals or more allowed in seven games this season.
Through his first four seasons with the Jets, Mathieu Perreault ($2,700) recorded double-digit power-play points, so now that he's projected to skate with the No. 1 unit against San Jose, the veteran checks out as low-priced flier. The Sharks rank in the bottom three in expected goals against, goals against and high-danger scoring chances against per hour in the league this season.
Another low-priced option skating in a top offensive role, Alexander Volkov ($2,700) played primarily with Steven Stamkos ($7,000) and Nikita Kucherov ($7,000) at even strength against the Devils. The 22-year-old rookie didn't make an offensive dent, but the trio dominated possession and generated a respectable 11.7 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
With the Red Wings allowing the eighth most expected goals per hour on the road this season, including 17 through their past four away tilts, it's not surprising Carolina is a significant favorite Friday. Look for Sebastian Aho ($6,100) and Andrei Svechnikov ($5,900) to make a mark. The duo has combined for 22.4 high-danger scoring chances per hour over the past two years, after all. Third-wheel Warren Foegele ($2,900) doesn't receive power-play time, but he does mitigate his linemate's higher salaries.
While their five-on-five time has been limited to just 66:18 over the past two years, Claude Giroux ($6,300), Jakub Voracek ($5,300) and James van Riemsdyk ($6,600) have clicked for an impressive 6.3 goals per hour, and that number skyrockets to 9.2 when including power-play time. Add New Jersey's 30th-ranked 4.0 goals against per hour, and the Flyers' new-look top line is worth a long look.
Carolina's third line should also be positioned to reward on its low cap hit Friday. Erik Haula ($5,00), Ryan Dzingel ($4,100) and Martin Necas ($2,800) have combined for a 55.2 Corsi For percentage, 3.2 goals and 10.7 high-danger scoring chances per hour at five-on-five this season, and the three Hurricanes are split between Carolina's two power-play units.
The salaries for Elias Pettersson ($7,200), Brock Boeser ($7,500) and J.T. Miller ($7,100) are climbing, but it's impossible to overlook their production. The line has combined for nine tallies and 23 points through the past four games to improve to 7.5 goals per 60 minutes this season. Anaheim has also surrendered a healthy 19 goals through its past five contests.
DEFENSEMEN
Despite racking up seven power-play assists while averaging 5:16 with the man advantage over the past five games, Quinn Hughes ($4,900) remains an affordable defenseman to target. Similarly, Kevin Shattenkirk ($5,000) quarterbacked Tampa Bay's No. 1 power-play unit Wednesday, so the first-year Bolt is worth a look at his manageable cap hit.
Brent Burns ($6,600) has marked the scoresheet in eight of the past 10 games for three tallies, nine helpers, 24 shots and 13 blocks. His offensive numbers and supporting statistics provide the high-floor, high-ceiling fantasy profile worth paying up for. As noted, the Jets are far from a sure thing on the road, too.
Another Hurricane to keep in mind is Dougie Hamilton ($6,200). The Red Wings have surrendered 10.7 goals per hour while shorthanded (fourth most in the league), and the veteran defenseman has kick-started his breakout season with six goals, seven assists 36 shots. His 18 blocked shots also help his bottom line.
It's been a slow start for Shayne Gostisbehere ($3,900) with just four points through 11 contests, but his price reflects the slow start, and all four of his points have come in the past five games. He continues to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit and is a cost-effective addition to a Philadelphia stack.
Skating with the Blues' No. 1 power-play unit, Vince Dunn ($3,600) is priced for profit. Columbus has surrendered 9.3 goals per 60 minutes -- eighth most -- while shorthanded and owns a 24th-rank 75.7 penalty-kill percentage. Just note that the third-year Blue carries a lot of risk because of his limited even-strength minutes (16:08 per game).
