DraftKings NHL: Wednesday Picks

DraftKings NHL: Wednesday Picks

This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.

GOALIE

Tuukka Rask, BOS at TOR ($7,400): If we're picking teams with their backs against the wall to avoid a 3-1 hole in the series, Rask and the Bruins present the strongest option. Just one of the three goals Rask allowed in Game 3 were scored at even strength, and the Bruins still have experience on their side. Despite stumbling into the playoffs, Rask is fourth among starters with a .951 save percentage at even strength.

CENTER

Nathan MacKinnon, COL vs. CGY ($7,100): He's been the most electrifying player in the playoffs, and he's at the point where he could single-handedly win this series. After a quiet start he exploded for three points on home ice, and Jared Bednar will leverage last change again to get MacKinnon against more favourable matchups. His 17 shots leads all skaters heading into Wednesday's games.

William Nylander, TOR vs. BOS ($4,400): He'll slide into Nazem Kadri's spot on the third line, which is good because it gives him more responsibility and more room to create on offense. The downside is that Nylander's not very good at face-offs, and defensively he could get buried at any time. However, the Leafs are carrying quite a bit of momentum going into Game 4 and may rally behind the suspended Kadri. Expect Nylander's ice time to increase slightly.  

WING

Mitch Marner, TOR vs. BOS ($6,600): No question he's a heart-and-soul player for the Leafs, and blocked two shots in the final seconds of the game to clinch Game 3. He registered five shots on goal in 23 minutes, and if he keeps this up Mike Babcock will have choice but to keep playing him. The Leafs' quick forecheck is making things difficult for the Bruins, and Marner's both quick and a wizard with the puck in tight spaces.

Jamie Benn, DAL vs. NSH ($5,200): That's now a point in three straight games for Benn, who face a tough situation and would rather not return to Nashville down 3-1 in the series. It's been close, but it also feels like Benn has been better as the series has gone on, playing over 20 minutes in Games 2 and 3 and seeing his shots increase game by game. Benn offers up a lot of value at this price, $1,100 cheaper than Alexander Radulov, who has only two points in the series.

Alex Kerfoot, COL vs. CGY ($3,500): After getting shut out in Game 1, the Avs have scored nine goals in two games and peppered Mike Smith with 56 shots in Game 3. Kerfoot's role has grown steadily over the course of the season, and though he still doesn't shoot very often, has performed quite well playing on the top line. Mikko Rantanen ($5,700) seems just fine carrying the second line, so the Avs are unlikely to make any changes to their lineup.

DEFENSE

Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. NSH ($4,500): He's been extremely steady for the Stars despite his young age, and might already be better than John Klingberg ($5,200) as a two-way defenseman. Heiskanen's got a low floor because he consistently blocks shots and gets shots on net, so whatever advantage Klingberg has playing on the top power play unit is minimized in such a low-scoring series.

Cale Makar, COL vs. CGY ($3,200): We all saw what he did in his NHL debut. He played just 14 minutes, but his role will grow exponentially, because he is the future of the Avs' blue line and a bona fide blue-chip prospect. His ability to jump up in the play as the trailer opens up a potential drop pass option for MacKinnon, who finally has a wingman who can keep pace with his blazing speed.

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.
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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.
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