DraftKings NHL: Friday Picks

DraftKings NHL: Friday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.

GOALIE

Curtis McElhinney, CAR vs. WPG ($6,800): McElhinney made 34 saves in a 4-3 overtime loss to the red-hot Bruins, and he has the sixth-best save percentage since February 1 with a 6-1-1 record in that span. Meanwhile, the Jets are 17-15-0 away from the 'Peg and have just four wins in their past 10 games. I like McElhinney at this price, but Devan Dubnyk ($7,500) and John Gibson ($7,100) can be solid value plays as well.

CENTER

Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. MIN ($5,300): Trocheck is still a shooting machine, averaging almost five shots per game going into the game against the Bruins last night. The production hasn't been there this season, but he's a very reliable center with steady contributions in both shots and hits. He gets plenty of ice time even playing behind Aleksander Barkov.

Phillip Danault, MON at ANA ($4,600): He's a top center almost by default because he doesn't possess the elite playmaking ability most No. 1's have, but he has been a very good player for the Habs this season. His 45 points is already a career high, and it includes four assists in his past five games. The Ducks blew a one-goal lead with 1:04 remaining in the third period in their last game.

WING

Zach Parise, MIN at FLA ($6,200): The Panthers are expected to start rookie Samuel Montembault and Parise's probably due after going two weeks without a goal. The veteran left winger is having a nice bounce-back season, scoring at least 10 points every month after scoring just 24 in total last season. The Panthers are playing the second half of a back-to-back.

Nino Niederreiter, CAR vs. WPG ($5,200): He continues to be excellent and he's had plenty of experience playing against the Jets, including two points in three games this season. Sebastian Aho might be the best center he's every played with in the NHL, and it's been paying off with a three-game point streak with four assists. Expected starter Connor Hellebuyck has looked ordinary at times this season.

Jakub Vrana, WAS vs. NJ ($4,500): He has four points in his past five games and settled in nicely behind Alex Ovechkin on the second line and also getting to touch the puck a lot on the second power-play unit. Vrana is getting hot at the right time going in the playoffs with 13 points in his past 17 games. The Devils have the league's fourth-best penalty kill, but they've lost four straight.

DEFENSE

Shea Weber, MON at ANA ($6,100): The Preds are obviously still better than the Habs, but that Subban-for-Weber trade doesn't seem like such a big loss to the Habs anymore. Weber has been outstanding since returning from injury, scoring 10 goals with 108 shots and 79 blocked shots. He's one of the league's most feared shooters and an excellent low-floor option.

Jacob Trouba, WPG at CAR ($4,800): He's the cheapest defensemen available among those who average three fantasy points per game or better except for rookie teammate Tyler Lewington ($2,500), who will play just his third career game. No Dustin Byfuglien again means Trouba on the power play, and like Weber he can contribute in all categories.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NHL Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NHL fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Chen
Jason won the 2021 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year award, and was also a finalist on 2019. He joined RotoWire in 2013. Jason has also written for Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, The Hockey News, The Hockey Hall of Fame's Legends Magazine, and Centre Ice Magazine.
NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18
NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18
FanDuel NHL: Thursday Picks
FanDuel NHL: Thursday Picks
NHL Picks Tonight: Best NHL Bets and Player Props for April 18, 2024
NHL Picks Tonight: Best NHL Bets and Player Props for April 18, 2024
DraftKings NHL: Thursday Breakdown
DraftKings NHL: Thursday Breakdown
NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: DraftKings Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17