This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The NHL is delivering Thursday. There are 11 games on the docket. That means a lot of options for your DFS lineup, even though two games have been postponed. Let's get to the recommendations so you can get to the winning!
SLATE PREVIEW
The two games that have been postponed are Kraken-Senators and Canadiens-Maple Leafs. This keeps the Leafs from having to play the second leg of a back-to-back. One team is on a back-to-back, however. The Penguins played at home Wednesday, but have crossed the Keystone State to play in Philadelphia on Thursday.
GOALIE
Marc-Andre Fleury, CHI at ARI ($8,200): The Blackhawks and Coyotes are both in the bottom three in goals per game. I am not expected much offense here. Of these two teams, Arizona is worst. They are last in goals (2.06) and shots on net (26.4) per contest. Fleury has had an up-and-down year, but I'll take the goalie who won the Vezina just last season over anybody the Coyotes can offer.
John Gibson, ANA vs. DET ($8,100): Gibson's last start before the NHL's pause was poor, but since returning to action he's been on top of his game. Over his last four starts he has a 2.25 GAA and .938 save percentage. The Wings are a long way from home Thursday, and while they've scored 2.79 goals per game – which is still below average if not terrible – they've only managed 28.8 shots on goal per contest.
Juuse Saros, NAS at LOS ($7,700): Saros has been steadily impressive the last couple of years. He had a .927 save percentage last season, and he currently has a .927 save percentage this season too. The Kings have been a bit unlucky, as they've only managed 2.70 goals per game off of 34.5 shots on net per game. However, I trust in Saros, even if he faces a few more shots than usual.
VALUE PLAYS
Alex DeBrincat, CHI at ARI ($6,800): DeBrincat is the only Blackhawk with double-digit goals. He's potted 20 of them already. That's not surprising, given that he netted 32 goals in 52 games last season and has proven he can carry an elevated shooting percentage. Arizona doesn't just have a bad offense. It also has a league-high 3.77 GAA.
Bryan Rust, PIT at PHI ($5,500): Rust has only been able to play in a handful of games, but when he's played he plays on Sidney Crosby's line, which is a great place to be. Also, when he's played this year he's notched 17 points in 14 games. Even though the Penguins are on a back-to-back, the Flyers have allowed 34.8 shots on net per contest. Rust should be able to take advantage of that.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Devils vs. Blue Jackets: Jack Hughes (C - $5,800), Jesper Bratt (W - $5,200), Tomas Tatar (W - $2,500)
The Blue Jackets have given up 35.2 shots on net per contest. That's the most in the league. It's also a big reason why Columbus has a 3.58 GAA. Elvis Merzlikins is banged up and may not even be available, but when he was available he put up a 4.26 GAA and .879 save percentage over his previous eight starts.
Hughes has a four-game point streak wherein he's notched nine total points. Bratt had 30 points in 46 games last season, and this year he already has 30 points in 33 games. He's going to end up setting a new career high in points. Tatar returned from COVID-19 protocols to score a goal against the Bruins and he's now on the top line for the Devils.
Sharks at Sabres: Tomas Hertl (C - $6,300), Timo Meier (W - $8,000), Alexander Barabanov (W - $3,800)
Logan Couture has entered COVID-19 protocols, so this is now the top line for the Sharks. Fortunately, Hertl is no slouch at center. As for the Sabres, they have a 3.48 GAA and have allowed 34.5 shots on net per contest. Sure, Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen has helped, but even in his last two starts he's allowed four goals.
Hertl recently had an eight-game point streak end, but overall he has 16 goals and 10 assists in 34 games. Meier leads the Sharks with 35 points and 120 shots on goal, even though he's only played in 29 games. Brabanov made his NHL debut as a 26-year-old last season, but this year he's emerged as a legit NHL player. He's tallied 19 points in 29 contests.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CHI at ARI ($7,000): Jones ended a dry spell Tuesday with two assists against the Avalanche. He now has 25 points in 33 games, with 87 shots on goal as well. Like I mentioned earlier, the Coyotes have the league's highest GAA at 3.77. Chicago may have a poor offense, but this matchup should be manageable.
Damon Severson, NJD vs. CLM ($3,900): Dougie Hamilton is unfortunately out with a jaw injury. That opened up a spot on the top power-play unit. Severson seems primed to grab that role. He's tallied 14 points in 33 games, including four with the extra man. More power-play minutes could mean more points, though, and the Blue Jackets rank 25th on the penalty kill.
Adam Boqvist, CLM at NJD ($3,700): The Devils aren't exactly excelling defensively themselves. They have a 3.44 GAA, and Mackenzie Blackwood has an .895 save percentage. Boqvist has a point in each of his last three games. Also, with Zach Werenski now out with COVID-19 protocols, he played 3:26 of power-play time Tuesday.
