This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The featured contests at DraftKings include the five evening games. Additionally, eight of the 10 teams in action are still fighting for a playoff berth or seeding in the postseason. There are also plenty of back-to-back sets with Carolina, Buffalo, Columbus, Boston and San Jose all playing their second game in consecutive nights.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS at BUF ($7,900): Historically, a goalie's performance and statistics decline in their second start in consecutive nights. However, the Blue Jackets are in must-win mode, and Bobrovsky has been outstanding down the stretch with eight wins, a .951 save percentage 1.40 GAA and three shutouts through his past 10 starts. Buffalo has also scored a pedestrian 1.68 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five in March.
CENTER
Matt Duchene, CLS at BUF ($6,100): Continuing to target Buffalo, the Sabres have gone 7-19-4 and allowed a league-high 115 goals since the All-Star break. Duchene enters the soft matchup with five helpers during a three-game point streak, but he also could have some puck luck on his side, as he's failed to score on nine shots through his past six games.
David Krejci, BOS at DET ($5,300): The Czech has gone nine games without a goal, and while his seven helpers have buoyed his value to a degree, a date with the Red Wings should help Krejci breakout. Detroit has surrendered the fifth most goals per 60 minutes (3.3) in the league since Feb. 1, after all. It's also worth noting that Krejci and David Pastrnak shared the ice for 11:01 during Saturday's loss and generated an impressive 27.23 shots per hour.
WING
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY at SJ ($7,100): Mired in a four-game point drought, Tkachuk lands in a slump-busting matchup. San Jose has surrendered 4.21 goals per 60 minutes through its past nine contests, and as noted, is also playing the second leg of a back-to-back set. Tkachuk's 1.49 goals and 3.33 points per 60 are also both top-20 marks, so his current scoring funk is a rarity.
Nino Niederreiter, CAR at PIT ($5,200): Relocating to the Hurricanes has worked for the 26-year-old winger, as he's recorded 13 goals, 14 assists and 92 shots through 32 contests. Niederreiter is locked into a top-line role, skates with the No. 1 power-play unit and has clicked with linemate Sebastian Aho for 4.62 goals and 18.6 high-danger scoring chances per hour.
Taro Hirose, DET vs. BOS ($2,800): A low-priced flier who's recorded five assists through six career games, Hirose is worth a look with Boston playing its second game in consecutive days after losing to Florida 4-1 Saturday. There's scoring pedigree here, too. Hirose collected 27 goals and 92 points through 72 games the past two seasons with Michigan State.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLS at BUF ($4,900): This is a manageable cap hit for the power-play quarterback. Buffalo is in the noted tailspin, and Werenski is set for statistical correction with six pointless outings through his past eight games. After all, his 1.48 points per hour since entering the league rank 20th among all regular defensemen.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at DET ($4,700): The youngster aced the eye test during Saturdays loss and is another cost-effect target with a plus-matchup. McAvoy's scoring has been inconsistent, but he does offer a nice fantasy floor with two tallies, five helpers, 24 shots, 16 blocks and an average of 23:27 of ice time (1:52 with the man advantage) through his past 12 outings.
