This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are 11 games in the NHL on Tuesday, so it'll be easy to find a few mismatches and also differentiate your selections for tournaments. With that in mind, here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling your DraftKings lineups.
GOALIE
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG at NJD ($7,700): After posting an .871 save percentage and 4.61 GAA through his previous six outings, Hellebuyck has watched from the bench the past two games. No. 2 Michael Hutchinson ($7,600) has been excellent over his past four outings (.951 save percentage and 1.50 GAA) and could receive the start against New Jersey, so you'll want to keep tabs and pivot to Hutchinson if needed. This is a matchup lean with the Devils sporting an active 2-12-3 record while generating a league-low 7.99 high-danger scoring chances and scoring just 2.18 goals per game.
CENTER
Jack Eichel, BUF at CLM ($7,200): The Blue Jackets have allowed the fifth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.74) this season, and Eichel is scorching hot. The sophomore has piled up 11 goals, 32 points and 96 shots through his past 24 games and only missed the scoresheet three times during that span. It's an incredible run, and he could fly under the radar because Buffalo is on the wrong end of a back-to-back set.
Aleksander Barkov, FLA at TOR ($6,200): While Barkov is playing his second game in consecutive nights after being held off the scoresheet Monday against Buffalo, this is a potentially soft matchup. Toronto is starting Curtis McElhinney (.885 save percentage and 3.93 GAA through his past four outings), and Barkov has registered five goals and 12 points through his past 10 games.
WING
Max Pacioretty, MON vs. DAL ($6,700): With just a single assist through his past six games, Pacioretty is in need of a slump-busting matchup. The Stars fit the bill. Dallas sports the second-worst team save percentage (.895), has allowed the fourth-most goals per game (3.15) and surrendered the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.85). Additionally, the Stars have the worst goals against per 60 minutes while shorthanded (9.57) and the worst penalty-kill percentage (73.9).
Rickard Rakell, ANA at VAN ($6,200): A high-floor, high-upside target, Rakell has posted five goals, nine points and 29 shots through his past eight games and owns a third-ranked 1.73 goals per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 500 minutes this season. Vancouver has also gone 4-7-3 and allowed the fourth-most goals per 60 minutes (3.04) since the trade deadline, so this projects as a favorable matchup for Rakell to continue rolling.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG at NJD ($5,500): Mired in a five-game point drought, Ehlers is a buy-low candidate to rebound against New Jersey. As noted, the Devils are struggling to string together wins and allowing 3.15 goals per 60 minutes during that 17-game stretch is a significant factor. Ehlers is pegged for a top-line role with looks on the No. 1 power-play unit, so his salary presents value with the expected positive offensive regression in the favorable matchup.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. BUF ($5,700): With the Sabres on the second leg of back-to-back games, Werenski's power-play prowess is attractive Tuesday. The Sabres boast a fourth-worst 77.0 penalty-kill percentage while allowing the fifth-most goals per 60 minutes (8.15) while shorthanded, and Werenski has 21 points with the man advantage. His manageable salary is an added bonus.
Jacob Trouba, WPG at NJD ($5,000): Dustin Byfuglien (undisclosed) could miss the contest, so Trouba will remain in a top-pairing role while also quarterbacking the No. 1 power-play unit. It's a significant value boost, and Trouba also moves the needle in the peripheral categories with 137 shots and 106 blocked shots through 54 games this season. He's another affordable option to compliment a Winnipeg stack even if Byfuglien suits up.
