This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
GOALIE
Ben Bishop, DAL vs. SJ ($7,400): The Sharks enter this contest with a mediocre 8-5-2 record and 2.67 goals per road game, and Bishop has gone 12-3-1 at home with a .929 save percentage and 2.08 GAA. It's by no means a layup, but the American netminder presents value at this price and also enters in solid form (3-1-0, .935 and 1.97 through his past four contests).
CENTER
Nathan MacKinnon, COL vs. NYI ($7,200): The emerging superstar has collected 15 goals, 38 points and 100 shots through 27 games over the past two months, and he lands in a soft matchup against New York. The Islanders have surrendered the most goals per 60 minutes (3.61) in the league along with a hefty 11.61 high-danger scoring chances per hour.
Mathew Barzal, NYI at COL ($5,900): The rookie is an outing removed from a five-game point streak with five goals and three assists. Barzal sports a high-end 3.33 points per 60 minutes and continues to skate with the No. 1 power-play unit. Additionally, with Colorado likely to focus on shutting down John Tavares' line at five-on-five, Barzal should see softer on-ice matchups at five-on-five.
WING
Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. CHI ($6,500): The diminutive winger has consistently been a more consistent scorer at the Scotiabank Saddledome, and this season has been no different. With eight goals and 14 helpers through 20 home games, Gaudreau presents solid value against the Blackhawks and Jeff Glass, who is making just his second career NHL start.
Miko Rantanen, COL vs. NYI ($5,200): A strong stack option with Nathan MacKinnon, Rantanen enters the favorable matchup against the Islanders with an eight-game point streak consisting of three tallies, six helpers and 22 shots. Additionally, it's worth noting that he's combined with MacKinnon for an impressive 4.69 goals per 60 minutes for the campaign.
Mathieu Perreault, WPG at EDM ($4,800): Among all skaters with at least 300 minutes this season, Perreault's 3.55 points per 60 minutes rank 12th. With Mark Scheifele (upper body) out long term, the veteran forward has been shifted into a top-six role, and his 15:52 of ice time last game was his highest total since early October. An expanded role isn't a guarantee of increased offense, but more of the same is just fine at this salary.
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom, EDM vs. WPG ($5,100): The 24-yer-old blueliner returned from a short stint on injured reserve Friday and recorded an assist, four shots and three blocked shots. He also logged 23:05 of ice time (1:20 on the man advantage). A healthy Klefbom offers a high-floor, high-ceiling combo, and the Oilers are beginning to turn things around offensively with 3.58 goals per game in December.
Olli Maatta, PIT at DET ($4,200): With Kris Letang (lower body) and Justin Schultz (lower body) both on injured reserve and sporting non-contact jerseys during Saturday's practice, Maatta projects to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit against the Red Wings. Detroit has been struggling of late down a man with 7.83 goals allowed per 60 minutes while shorthanded and a 77.4 penalty-kill percentage in December, so the Finnish defender is worth considering as a value play.
