This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Thursday's NHL slate begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT and features nine games. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
A few teams stand out from the pack in this busy slate. The Capitals are by far the night's largest favorites at home against Buffalo, followed by the Rangers against New Jersey. Pittsburgh's also solidly favored at home against the Flyers in what's expected to be the night's highest-scoring game (over/under 6.5 goals). Other games expected to feature substantial amounts of offense with over/unders of 6.0 goals are Panthers-Lightning, Jets-Maple Leafs and the aforementioned Devils-Rangers clash, though there's also value to be found in the remainder of this slate, especially with the Blackhawks visiting Detroit.
GOALIES
Ilya Samsonov, WAS vs. BUF ($8,500): Samsonov has been up and down lately, but a potent Capitals offense has been there to bail him out when needed. He has a 7-3-0 record in his past 10 starts, having allowed four-plus goals five times in that stretch and just five total goals in the other five games. Look for Samsonov to post one of his better outings at home against a Sabres team that's scoring the third-fewest goals per game (2.31) and allowing the third-most (3.43).
Kevin Lankinen, CHI at DET ($7,800): You'll be hard-pressed to find a goalie across the league that's been more dominant against a particular team than Lankinen against the Red Wings. The rookie is 4-0-0 in four meetings with Detroit, having allowed just five goals on 133 shots for a 1.25 GAA and .962 save percentage. Don't expect Detroit's league-worst offense (2.23 goals per game) to find much more success this time around.
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. NJ ($8,400): Every point is crucial for the Rangers as they try to stay in the mix for the East Division's final playoff spot, so Shesterkin will be motivated to post a repeat effort after stopping all 27 Devils shots he faced Tuesday for his first NHL shutout. He's 7-2-2 in his last 11 outings and has a 2.35 GAA and .924 save percentage in 24 appearances (22 starts) on the season.
Ilya Sorokin, NYI at BOS ($7,700): The Bruins are in a rut offensively, having been outscored 13-5 en route to a 1-2-0 record in the last three games. Whether it's Sorokin (11-3-1, 2.17 GAA, .915 save percentage) or $7,700 alternative Semyon Varlamov (16-8-3, 2.21 GAA, .922 save percentage) that gets the nod in net for the stingy Islanders, New York's goalie of choice should offer good bang for the buck in this matchup.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Anthony Mantha, WAS vs. BUF ($5,300): Many think the Capitals overpaid for Mantha at the trade deadline, but the power forward took the first step towards quieting the naysayers with a goal, an assist and six shots in his Washington debut. He has a great opportunity to build on that effort at home against last-place Buffalo, and Mantha's skating in a prominent role on the second line and No. 2 power-play unit.
Zach Hyman, TOR vs. WPG ($6,400): He's often overlooked on the high-powered Maple Leafs, but Hyman's having a terrific season, with a 15-18-33 line in 41 games. He's been especially productive recently, posting a 3-6-9 line over an active six-game point streak heading into this home date with a Jets team that will be playing its second game in as many nights.
Yanni Gourde, TB vs. FLA ($4,900): Even as his team suffered a rare blowout defeat Tuesday in Nashville, Gourde was able to light the lamp, giving him a 2-5-7 line over an active three-game point streak. The streaky center's on a roll right now, so keep locking him in while he's producing.
Patrik Laine, CLS at DAL ($4,700): Speaking of streaky scorers, Laine has been known as one throughout his career, and the sniper's currently locked in with three goals in his last two games following a 14-game goal drought. The former 44-goal scorer tends to pot them in bunches and has plenty of upside, even against the defensively sound Stars. Laine's unlikely to appear in many lineups, making him an appealing GPP play.
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at CAR ($5,500): Arvidsson has produced a pair of three-point explosions over his last four games, totaling a 5-1-6 line in that stretch. The last one came Tuesday, with two goals and an assist against the mighty Lightning, showing that Arvidsson's capable of thriving even in the most difficult of matchups. With that context in mind, he has some against-the-grain appeal in what's likely your be a tough road matchup in Carolina.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Penguins vs. Flyers
Sidney Crosby (C - $7,700), Jake Guentzel (W - $7,600), Bryan Rust (W - $6,800)
Pittsburgh's top line should be worth paying up for against a rival Flyers team that's allowing 3.57 goals per game — second-most in the league. Crosby (16-32-48 in 41 games) and Guentzel (20-25-45) are locked in a tight race for the team points lead. They're also the team's top two goal-scorers, though Crosby shares second place with Rust. This entire trio has been hot recently, with Guentzel and Rust each posting 3-2-5 lines in the last two games and Crosby at 2-6-8 in his last five.
Rangers vs. Devils
Mika Zibanejad (C - $7,200), Pavel Buchnevich (W - $6,300), Chris Kreider (W - $5,600)
This line led the way in Tuesday's 3-0 win at the Prudential Center, and it should be just as dominant in this rematch at Madison Square Garden. Zibanejad's goal Tuesday was his 12th in the last 15 games, and the top-line center has added 10 assists in that stretch. Despite his recent production, Zibanejad still ranks third on the team in goals with 15, trailing Kreider (17) and Buchnevich (16). The latter also leads this line in points with 37 in 41 games heading into this meeting with a Devils team that's allowing 3.20 goals per game.
Blackhawks at Red Wings
Pius Suter (C - $3,600), Patrick Kane (W - $8,300), Brandon Hagel (W - $2,800)
Kane's obviously the crown jewel of this line, ranking third league-wide with 54 points in 43 games. Absorbing his massive cap hit will be easier if you also stack his affordable linemates on top against a Red Wings team that's getting outscored 3.16 to 2.23 in the average gene. Suter has a respectable 11-8-19 line in 43 games and netted a hat trick against Detroit earlier this season, while Hagel will be brimming with confidence after potting the overtime winner when Chicago last took the ice Monday in Columbus.
DEFENSEMEN
Adam Fox, NYR vs. NJ ($6,800): Tuesday's two-assist effort was just another day at the office for the league's leader in points by defensemen. Fox's 39 points in 41 games include 21 in his last 12, while the Devils allow the second-most fantasy points to opposing blueliners, so this is about as automatic as a blue-line pick gets if you have the cap space.
Connor Murphy, CHI at DET ($4,900): Murphy's all-around game has been on full display over his last seven appearances, during which he has compiled three assists, 16 shots and 22 blocks. His well-rounded production gives Murphy a high floor even when he's kept off the scoresheet, and facing a Red Wings team that's been generous to opposing defensemen in the fantasy realm should allow Murphy to build on his recent success.
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at WAS ($3,600): Dahlin's had a disappointing season after reaching the 40-point mark in each of his first two campaigns, but the 2018 first overall pick has built up some momentum recently. He has a 2-4-6 line in his last six games, and Dahlin won't be available for just $3,600 much longer if he keeps producing like this.
Mike Reilly, BOS vs. NYI ($3,600): Reilly was noticeable in his Bruins debut after coming over from Ottawa before the trade deadline, firing five pucks on net in 22:17 of ice time Tuesday against the Sabres. With the Bruins beat up on the blue line, Reilly — who dished out 19 helpers in 40 games for the lowly Senators — should maintain a key role on Boston's blue line.
