This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Valentine's Day is over, so now you can get back to your true love: NHL action. There are 11 games on the docket Thursday — here are some recommendations.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. WAS ($7,900): The Capitals are a different team away from home. They have a 12-9-5 record in road games and have only managed 27.9 shots on net per contest away from Washington. The Wild, meanwhile, are 20-4-5 at home and have a 7-2-1 record in their last 10 contests. Dubnyk has a 2.59 GAA and a .920 save percentage.
CENTER
Joe Pavelski, SAN vs. VAN ($6,500): Pavelski has notched 14 goals in 57 games despite an 8.9 shooting percentage well below his career average. He's been putting the puck on net a bunch recently as well, as he's tallied 24 shots on goal in his last six contests. The Canucks are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and since Jacob Markstrom got the start Wednesday, Anders Nilsson (3.50 GAA, .903 save percentage) may be in net for this one.
Sebastian Aho, CAR at NJD ($6,300): Since returning from injury, Aho has nine points in eight games. Overall, he's tallied 21 goals and 25 assists through 53 contests. Cory Schneider is out for the Devils, which means Keith Kinkaid (3.31 GAA, .891 save percentage) will have to try to keep Aho in check. The odds are against that happening.
WING
Mark Stone, OTT vs. BUF ($6,300): Stone has had no issues since returning from injury, as he has three points in two games since getting back into the lineup. Despite his absence, Stone still leads Ottawa in scoring, as he has 47 points in 46 contests. The Sabres have a 3.31 team GAA on the road and have allowed 32.4 shots on net per contest away from home, as well.
Yanni Gourde, TAM vs. DET ($5,600): In a world where Brock Boeser and Mathew Barzal exist, it's easy to overlook Gourde among NHL rookies. Don't make that mistake. Gourde has a seven-game point streak where he has 10 points, and in his last 11 he's tallied 13 points. The Wings have a 3.00 team GAA and have been slightly worse on the road (3.08).
Mats Zuccarello, NYR at NYI ($5,300): Zuccarello has struggled on the goal-scoring front, but he has 31 assists through 56 games to go with his nine goals, so he's still having a fine season. Additionally, he's averaged 3:03 per game on the power play, notching 14 points with the extra man. The Islanders have an atrocious 3.67 team GAA, worst in the NHL by a wide margin. They also have the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSEMEN
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at OTT ($5,300): Ristolainen shoulders a heavy load for the Sabres, as he's averaged 26:29 per game, including 3:31 on the power play. He's also enjoying a four-game point streak, and that could easily continue with a matchup against the Senators. Ottawa has a 3.44 team GAA and it also has the 29th-ranked penalty kill. That bodes well for Ristolainen, who has 14 power-play points in 48 contests.
Colin Miller, VGK vs. EDM ($4,000): Miller has started 62.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, most on the Golden Knights. He's also averaged 2:36 per game on the power play, tallying 13 points with the extra man in 56 games. Anybody with power-play prowess is enticing against the Oilers, as they have the league's worst penalty kill. Additionally, after a rough patch in January, Miller has 10 points in his last 11 contests.
