This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Quickly recapping last week's recommendations, Devan Dubnyk won all three starts with a .932 save percentage to lead the way. He continues to be a screaming value at just $7,500, too.
Tyler Toffoli bottomed out with bagels in three games, and Brandon Dubinsky had one strong game and faces off against Edmonton Friday, so keep him in mind. Deep value play Andrej Sustr got hurt and didn't show well against Boston on Sunday.
Look for Toffoli's price to drop, which will keep him in the value conversation, especially with him returning to Anze Kopitar's flank on the No. 1 line.
Plus, two weeks ago, Cam Fowler was a recommendation, and of the three games he has missed the scoresheet through his past 10 outings, two were following the billing.
It's important to recap to look critically at the immediate results, but the players shouldn't be written off if it doesn't work out as forecasted immediately.
And, after all that, here are this week's leans.
C: Mike Ribeiro, Nashville Predators, $3,900
While Ribeiro scored last time out, it shouldn't be counted on, and he isn't a high-volume shooter, either. His goal Thursday was his first since Jan. 27, and the pivot has taken just 17 shots in 15 games since then.
That disclaimer also highlights why he continues to carry such a low cap hit despite returning a point-per-game pace through his past 15 games. His play has also kicked started linemates Filip Forsberg and Craig Smith, and the trio has combined for eight goals over the last three games.
Upcoming, Nashville heads on a five-game road trip that begins in Colorado and is followed by four stops in Western Canada. Remember, the Preds swept the same Canadian road trip leading into the All-Star break with a combined 12-4 score, and all four Canadian teams sold leading into the trade deadline.
W: Nail Yakupov, Edmonton Oilers, $3,700
Jordan Eberle's salary has climbed $1,300 over 16 games at Connor McDavid's side, and now Yakupov has joined the duo at a target-worthy discount. Yakupov scored Thursday, and while he stands to be an extremely chalky play going forward, the 2012 No. 1 pick has to be included.
McDavid is currently second in points per game for the season, and his 3.29 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five paces all skaters. So, yes, Yakupov's center has everything to do with it, but the duo also has a track record.
Yakupov registered 10 points through the first 11 games of the season skating primarily with McDavid, and they've combined for a 4.14 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season. Eberle is extremely talented, too, so this line has significant offensive upside, and plus-minus doesn't count at DraftKings.
D: Dmitry Kulikov, Florida Panthers, $3,600
There's a nice combination of current production and matchup appeal with Kulikov going forward. He has five assists through his past six games with seven shots, 15 blocked shots and an average of 22:08 minutes of ice time per game, including 2:37 with the man advantage.
Kulikov continues to skate with Aaron Ekblad at five-on-five, where the duo has combined for 2.69 goals per 60 minutes and 57.6 goals for percentage for the season. Kulikov has been quarterbacking the four-forward No. 1 power-play unit solo, though.
Florida's next three opponents all present a favorable matchup for the Panthers' power play and Kulikov. Arizona owns a 78.8 percent penalty kill since the All-Star break, while Boston and Ottawa boast 73.5 percent and 69.8 percent marks, respectively. Three of Kulikov's most recent five helpers have been of the power-play variety, too.
G: Ben Bishop, Tampa Bay Lightning, $7,800
Over his past five starts, Bishop has averaged 8.28 DraftKings points with five wins, a .962 save percentage and a shutout. The Lightning have also rolled off eight straight wins with two goals or fewer allowed in each of their last seven games.
Tampa Bay has upcoming home games against Carolina, Boston and Philadelphia and road tilts against Philadelphia, Columbus and Toronto. The Hurricanes (2.5), Blue Jackets (2.38) and Maple Leafs (2.33) all rank in the bottom sixth of goals per game since the All-Star break.
Boston and Philadelphia are admirable opponents, but it is tough to argue with Bishop's numbers at Amalie Arena. Over the past three seasons, the Lightning No. 1 has a 60-20-8 record with a .923 save percentage. Plus, as highlighted, Tampa Bay is scorching hot and tightening up defensively. Bishop below $8,400 is a steal, let alone at his current ticket price.
