This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Thursday's NHL slate begins at 7:00 p.m. EDT and features no shortage of selection, with 10 games on tap. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
This large slate naturally has a number of appealing options, highlighted by the Penguins (vs. New Jersey), Bruins (in Buffalo) and Lightning (vs. Columbus). Pittsburgh's game is expected to be the highest-scoring of that bunch, but it's far from the only one with an enticing over/under of 6.0 goals. Flyers-Rangers, Maple Leafs-Jets, Avalanche-Blues and Senators-Canucks all come in with over/unders of 6.0 goals as well, so this slate shouldn't want for offense.
GOALIES
Jeremy Swayman, BOS at BUF ($8,500): Swayman's career has gotten off to a brilliant start behind the stout Boston defense, as he's 4-1-0 with a 1.78 GAA and .938 save percentage. His success should continue against a bottom-three Buffalo offense that's producing just 2.35 goals per game.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CLS ($8,300): Vasilevskiy's in a mini-rut, having lost two of his last three starts, but a home date with a Blue Jackets team that's winless in its last seven games should get the Vezina Trophy favorite back on track. He still boasts a sparkling 27-8-1 record, 2.08 GAA and .930 save percentage overall.
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. TOR ($7,600): Hellebuyck could be catching Toronto at the right time, with the Maple Leafs having lost five in a row. Conversely, the reigning Vezina Trophy winner has rounded into form recently, as Hellebuyck's 8-3-1 in his last 12 starts and has allowed just 22 goals in that strong stretch.
Anton Khudobin, DAL at DET ($8,200): Dallas' goalie of choice between Khudobin and Jake Oettinger ($8,200) figures to fare well against Detroit's 30th-ranked offense (2.21 goals per game). Both Dallas goaltenders beat the Red Wings while allowing two goals in their respective previous starts, and a repeat result is likely in the third of four consecutive meeting between these teams.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Jared McCann, PIT vs. NJ ($5,800): McCann's two-point effort in Tuesday's wild 7-6 win over the Devils was just the latest in a string of strong performances that's seen him pile up a 7-8-15 line in his last 14 games. Pittsburgh's offense could easily post another crooked number in this rematch, and McCann should play a prominent role in that output. He has appeal as a stand-alone option or as part of a larger Penguins stack.
Brad Marchand, BOS at BUF ($7,800): Marchand's been tremendous recently, even by his lofty standards. He has a 5-2-7 line in his last four games and a 12-9-21 line in his last 13. The sky's the limit for the highly-skilled winger against the last-place Sabres.
Sam Bennett, FLA vs. CAR ($2,900): Bennett has opened his Panthers tenure on a three-game point streak, racking up a 3-2-5 line since coming over from Calgary via trade. Despite that success and his deployment as Florida's second-line center, Bennett can still be had for just $2,900.
Roope Hintz, DAL at DET ($6,500): Hintz's nagging lower-body injury leaves him at constant risk of sitting out, but he produces like a superstar when he's in there, so locking him in is worth the hassle of checking back in before puck drop. While you should have your contingency options ready considering he was unable to dress when these teams met Tuesday, Hintz's 13 points in his last six appearances make him extremely appealing if he returns.
Alex Kerfoot, TOR at WPG ($2,500): Kerfoot was promoted to the second line Tuesday with Zach Hyman sidelined by a knee injury and capitalized on his expanded role with an assist. Skating in a top-six role for the high-powered Maple Leafs offense, Kerfoot's worth a look if you're in search of a lineup filler from the bargain bin.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Rangers vs. Flyers
Mika Zibanejad (C - $7,100), Pavel Buchnevich (W - $6,100), Chris Kreider (W - $5,000)
New York's top line should thrive against a Flyers team that's allowing 3.51 goals per game — second-most in the league. Zibanejad has proven that he can carry fantasy lineups on his own against Philadelphia, notching two separate three-goal, six-point performances against the Flyers this season. Overall, Zibanejad's 4-7-11 line in his last nine games has him tied for second on the team with 16 goals. Buchnevich and Kreider share the team lead at 19 apiece.
Canucks vs. Senators
Bo Horvat (C - $6,400), Tanner Pearson (W - $3,700), Nils Hoglander (W - $3,900)
Vancouver has impressed since returning from its COVID-19 outbreak, notching a pair of wins over the Maple Leafs and potting nine goals in those two games. Horvat and Pearson have each posted a two-goal game since the Canucks returned to action, while Hoglander has a 2-1-3 line in those two games. A Senators team that's allowing a league-high 3.59 goals per game is unlikely to slow down this red-hot top line.
Lightning vs. Blue Jackets
Brayden Point (C - $5,600), Ondrej Palat (W - $5,100), Alex Barre-Boulet (W - $3,300)
The normally stout Blue Jackets have fallen apart defensively, allowing 32 goals during their seven-game losing streak, including at least four in every game. Even in its current depleted state, the Lightning's offense figures to take advantage of this favorable matchup. Point has a three-game goal streak rolling, and he leads the Lightning with 20 goals while trailing only Victor Hedman in points with 39 through 46 games. Palat's right on Point's tail with 38 points, including one in each of his last three games. Barre-Boulet's name is a surprise this high on the depth chart, but the prolific AHL scorer (69-67-136 in 144 games) would certainly have an opportunity to showcase his offensive abilities if he sticks on Tampa Bay's top line.
DEFENSEMEN
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. OTT ($5,800): Hughes just carved up the Maple Leafs for a goal and two assists Tuesday, and he has been effective against the Senators all season, with six points in five games. The puck-moving defenseman has elite upside in this favorable matchup.
Cale Makar, COL at STL ($6,100): Makar has surely been chomping at the bit for his team to get back into action, as he had 12 points in his last 10 games before Colorado's week off. Playing at a point-per-game pace overall, a healthy Makar's rarely a poor choice given his own exceptional ability and the excellent supporting cast around him.
Cody Ceci, PIT vs. NJ ($3,100): Ceci has quietly been racking up points, failing to get on the scoresheet only once in the past seven games and twice in 10 April contests. He's a strong value option to fill out your lineup against a Devils team that's giving up 3.40 goals per game.
Travis Sanheim, PHI at NYR ($2,600): Sanheim has quietly filled up the stat sheet recently, even without getting any points. He has 11 shots and 10 blocks in his last three games, cracking double digit fantasy points in each. A continuation of that trend would make Sanheim a strong value option at just $2,600.
