Fantasy picks: Count on revitalized Sabres

Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This lineup has been constructed with expensive and value picks and should be used as a basis for your roster decision-making.
C - Jack Eichel, BUF ($7,500)
Eichel has become a daily fantasy lineup lock with eight points, four on the power play, and 23 shots on goal in seven games since returning from injury. His DraftKings points-per-game average (5.1) ranks second among skaters behind San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (5.5; $8,400). He faces the New York Islanders, who will be on the second game of a back-to-back and have been outscored 33-20 in road games.

C - Jordan Staal, CAR ($4,600)
Staal had a monster outing against the Vancouver Canucks in his first game back from a concussion with a goal, an assist and five SOG (7.5 DraftKings points). He played on the Carolina Hurricanes' second line with Elias Lindholm and Joakim Nordstrom and won 10 of his 15 faceoffs. He offers similar single-game upside to Hurricanes No. 1 center Victor Rask, yet is priced $1,200 cheaper at home against the Washington Capitals. He had 11.0 DraftKings points against the Capitals on Nov. 12.
W - Kyle Okposo, BUF ($6,000)
Eichel's surge has made Sabres line stacks that much more popular in DFS, featuring anyone from Okposo to defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen to affordable forwards Evander Kane, Sam Reinhart and/or Matt Moulson. Given the spirit of the occasion for Okposo, who faces his former team for the first time, DFS owners should jump all over him and Eichel in this favorable spot. Okposo, tied for 14th among wings in price, has 11 points, two blocks and 26 SOG in his past 10 games for an average of 4.0 DraftKings points. Okposo has gotten 12 of his 21 points on the power play, where he skates on the first unit with Eichel.

W - Sam Gagner, CBJ ($5,100)
Gagner has been one of the biggest fantasy surprises of the season for the Columbus Blue Jackets with 21 points (12 goals, nine assists) in 26 games. He has nine points, two blocks and 32 SOG (4.0 DraftKings points) in his past 10 games, and has eight straight games of at least three SOG. He has nine points in 13 road games and has multiple points in three of his past four. He's in a great spot on the third line with Scott Hartnell and the first power-play unit.
W - Gabriel Landeskog, COL ($5,000)
Landeskog had an assist, a block and three SOG (4.0 DraftKings points) against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, and continues to play well at home with six points and 21 SOG in nine games. It was encouraging to see Landeskog be productive in his third game back from injury and he should keep it rolling against the struggling Florida Panthers at home. He has six points in eight career games against the Panthers, who have allowed 49 goals in 17 road games.

D - Victor Hedman, TBL ($5,500)
Hedman's price has risen $100 after he scored 8.5 DraftKings points (three assists, five blocks) for the Tampa Bay Lightning against the Calgary Flames on Wednesday. He has 12 points in 17 road games with strong peripherals (26 blocks, 27 SOG), and had a block and four SOG (2.5 DraftKings points) in a 5-1 home loss against the Canucks on Dec. 8. Expect Hedman and the Lightning to have plenty of motivation with that lopsided defeat fresh in their minds.
D - Trevor Daley, PIT ($4,000)
Daley was already on the Pittsburgh Penguins' first power-play unit with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel, and is primed for an expanded role in all situations with Kris Letang (lower body) sidelined for two weeks. Daley, who's riding a three-game point streak with a total of four blocks and four SOG, offers cheap exposure to Pittsburgh's offense, which has scored 39 goals during its seven-game win streak.

G - Robin Lehner, BUF ($7,700)
The Islanders have the worst road record in the NHL (2-7-1), and it won't get any easier for them on short rest against Lehner and the revitalized Sabres. Lehner is due for better home fortunes (2-5-2) given his solid save percentage (.918). Buffalo's offense had his back in a 6-3 win against the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday and Lehner is an affordable DFS option (T-10th in price among Friday goalies) with a decent shot at getting a win.
UTIL - Valtteri Filppula, TBL ($4,600)
Filppula saw time with Jonathan Drouin at even strength and on the power play in the absence of Nikita Kucherov on Wednesday, and will be relied upon heavily again on the road against the Canucks. Filppula assisted on the lone goal against Vancouver on Dec. 8 and has 12 points in 16 road games this season. He had three assists and two SOG Wednesday against the Flames and is riding a three-game point streak.
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