Fantasy picks: Patrick Kane easy play

Each day this season, NHL.com's fantasy staff will provide daily picks for DraftKings NHL contests. This list of targets includes expensive and value options at each position to help you build a winning roster.
C - Blake Wheeler, WPG ($6,200)
The Winnipeg Jets have moved Wheeler to center in the absence of Mark Scheifele, who's day to day with an undisclosed injury. Wheeler is on a five-game point streak (one goal, five assists) and has had at least 4.0 DraftKings points in six of his past seven. He had 78 points in 82 games last season (T-6th in NHL) and is picking up his pace after a slow start this season. He was priced in the $7,000-$8,000 range for most of last season, making his current bargain price appealing. The Detroit Red Wings have allowed 12 goals in their past three road games. Wheeler's teammate Bryan Little (C, $5,400) is also worth a DFS play skating on the top line with rookie Patrik Laine.

C - Frans Nielsen, DET ($4,900)
Regardless of where Nielsen has been in Detroit's lineup, he has been scoring; he has points in five of his past six games, totaling three goals and four assists. The Red Wings have a tough task on the road in Winnipeg, but Nielsen has nine points and 28 shots on goal in 12 road games this season for an average of 3.6 DraftKings points per game. He also averages 2:27 per game with the man-advantage and has six power-play points.

W - Patrick Kane, CHI ($8,100)
Kane said after a 2-1 loss to the Jets on Sunday that he needs to pick it up offensively with captain Jonathan Toews injured. That said, Kane has still been productive lately; he has two goals and four assists in his past six games. The Chicago Blackhawks play the Arizona Coyotes, who will be on the second game of a back-to-back, at United Center. Coyotes goalie Mike Smith has an outstanding save percentage (.930), but he'll likely see more than 30 shots for the sixth straight game when he faces the Blackhawks. Always a safe play, Kane has a very good shot at a multipoint game against Arizona and is worth his high salary.
W - Viktor Arvidsson, NSH ($6,000)
The second-year wing has been a pleasant surprise this season, leading the Predators in SOG (77) and playing in all situations. Arvidsson is skating on Nashville's top line with Filip Forsberg (W, $6,300) and Ryan Johansen (C, $6,300) and scored a goal against the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 29. An upward trend in salary is always a precursor to success and Arvidsson's salary has jumped from $4,500 to $6,000 since Nov. 15. He's still somewhat affordable and has a solid matchup at home, where he's averaged 3.5 DraftKings points per contest.
D - Alex Pietrangelo, STL ($5,400)
The St. Louis Blues defenseman has at least 3.0 DraftKings points in eight of his past 10 games, making him an incredibly safe play for 50/50s and Double Ups. The Blues have scored at least three goals in nine of their past 10 games and Pietrangelo has two goals and four assists in his past five. The Montreal Canadiens and Carey Price present a tough matchup, but Pietrangelo isn't dependent on goals or assists for DraftKings value; he's averaging 2.0 blocks and 2.5 SOG per game.

D - Brent Seabrook, CHI ($4,900)
Seabrook and fellow Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith ($5,300) are each viable stack options with Kane and/or center Artem Anisimov ($6,500) against the Coyotes. Seabrook gets the edge over Keith because of his cheaper salary, goal-scoring ability and higher volume of blocks (39 in 27 games). Each plays significant ice time, at even-strength, shorthanded and with the man-advantage, but Seabrook has been more effective on the power play (five PPP to Keith's three).
G - Cory Schneider, NJD ($8,000)
Schneider has struggled lately, allowing at least three goals in six straight starts. But the New Jersey Devils goaltender will be facing his former team, the Vancouver Canucks, at home and is due for a strong performance. In five career games against the Canucks, Schneider is 2-1-2 with a 2.17 goals-against average and .927 save percentage. He's also 7-0-1 with a .920 SV% at home this season. New Jersey recently got left wing Taylor Hall back in the lineup, which will help provide additional goal support should Schneider struggle again.
G - Chad Johnson, CGY ($7,400)
The Calgary Flames' offense exploded in an 8-3 win upon Johnny Gaudreau's return against the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday. The Flames have won three in a row, and Johnson has started each game during that stretch, allowing a combined five goals with at least 5.6 DraftKings points in each contest. Johnson has been outstanding on the road (5-2-1, 1.86 GAA, .938 SV%, two shutouts) and wasn't in net the last time Calgary played the Dallas Stars at home, a 4-2 loss.

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