This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are five contests in the NHL on Friday starting with a matinee between the Blackhawks and Flyers in Philadelphia. However, it's important to note that the afternoon bout isn't included in the featured contests at DraftKings on Friday. Here's a primer with selections and stacks to consider when assembling your lineups.
SLATE PREVIEW
The first game on the docket features two teams that underwent significant roster turnover during the offseason. Winnipeg plays its second consecutive road game against New Jersey after --- its season opener -- Thursday against the Rangers. The early-season, back-to-back spot could prove difficult for the Jets.
Two division rivals are also on the schedule. Washington visits the Islanders, and the Sharks host the Golden Knights after Vegas won their first meeting 4-1 on home ice. Be wary of the Islanders tough defense. They allowed the second fewest goals against per 60 minutes at home last season.
It's also worth noting the Sharks have a number of notables (Erik Karlsson, Evander Kane, Timo Meier and Kevin Labanc) out or questionable for Friday's contest.
After losing Sergei Bobrovsky to free agency, the Blue Jackets have questions in goal, so a date with the high-powered Maple Leafs stands as a tall task to start the campaign. However, it's important to note that the lowly Senators scored three times and had a goal called back because of video replay in the season opener, so the Toronto-Columbus tilt has the potential to be a high-scoring affair.
GOALIES
The Maple Leafs a sizeable favorites over the Blue Jackets, and Frederik Andersen ($8,200) was solid for 55 minutes of Wednesday's 5-3 win over Ottawa. Aside from an early and late goal, he turned Ottawa's chances into routine saves, and with a shallow goalie pool, spending up for the biggest favorite is definitely a starting point.
As noted, this could be tough schedule spot for Winnipeg. However, there's minimal travel and it's early in the season. Additionally, the Jets have been one of the best teams in the league the past three seasons, whereas New Jersey won the draft lottery last year for a reason. It could also take time for the Devils' new-look lineup to develop chemistry. As a result, even as underdogs, there's value with Connor Hellebuyck ($7,200) or backup Laurent Brossoit ($7,000). On the flip side, allowing six goals to the Rangers shouldn't be ignored, either.
After three standout seasons in the KHL, Ilya Samsonov ($7,400) made the jump to North America last year and posted an underwhelming .898 save percentage over 37 contests. With a year to acclimatize, the 2015 first-round selection will have a legitimate shot this season to prove he's the goaltender of the future in Washington and warrants consideration as a low-priced flier against the Islanders. The Caps also surrendered just five high-danger scoring chances in their loss to St. Louis -- a notable improvement from the past two years.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
It can be tricky to stack an entire Toronto line because the No. 1 power-play unit is comprised of two forwards from each of the top two trios. As a result, it's not out of the question to target Auston Matthews ($7,900) as a solo forward from the Maple Leafs. He scored twice and attempted 14 shots in the season opener and is now up to 27 tallies and 44 points through 33 career games in October.
Projected to start the season on the No. 1 line and receive power-play looks, Alexandre Texier ($4,200) stands out from the Blue Jackets. The rookie recorded 20 goals and 27 assists through 64 games across three professional leagues last year.
It's been a long road to the NHL for the fifth overall selection from the 2015 draft, but Michael Dal Colle ($3,300) is slotted into a top-six role and projects to skate with the No. 1 power-play unit Friday. He was on the ice for 21.21 high-danger scoring chances and 4.15 expected goals per 60 minutes during the preseason, which is a nice follow up to his best professional showing last year.
With Evgeny Kuznetsov ($5,000) suspended, it was Richard Panik ($3,200) who skated with Washington's No. 1 power-play unit Wednesday. The veteran has been a serviceable fantasy for stretches in the past, and he could easily return value on his price given the promotion.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Pair the offensive track records of Mark Stone ($7,200) and Max Pacioretty ($5,700) with the pedigree of Cody Glass ($3,500), and there's reason to turn to the Golden Knights' line. Vegas handled San Jose at home Wednesday, so a road game could be more difficult to find soft matchups, but the prices are also reasonable. The trio struck twice on four high-danger scoring chances in the opener.
An affordable trio with oodles of offensive upside, Jack Hughes ($4,700), Nikita Gusev ($4,100) and Jesper Bratt ($3,500) could find soft on-ice matchups with Winnipeg needing to slow down the top line. Additionally, while the Huges, Gusev and Bratt had limited ice time together during the preseason, they showed well with 25.44 high-danger scoring chances and 4.66 expected goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
A low-priced stack off to a solid start, Alex Kerfoot ($3,100), Ilya Mikheyev ($3,900) and Trevor Moore ($3,000) combined for a goal and drove possession with a 65.0 Corsi For percentage at even strength on Wednesday. Kerfoot and Moore also provide exposure to Toronto's second power-play unit and provide the cap relief to load up the remainder of your lineups.
DEFENSEMEN
Playing pitch and catch with Auston Matthews ($7,900) and Mitch Marner ($7,000) on the power play is a cushy setup, and Morgan Rielly ($6,500) turned in a solid showing in the opener with an assist, five shots and a blocked shot while logging a hefty 35:37 of ice time (4:39 with the man advantage). Just note, he'll likely be chalky.
While P.K. Subban's ($5,100) tenure as an elite fantasy asset might be in the rearview mirror, the veteran is affordable to locked into a go-to role for New Jersey. He's a cross-category contributor with a favorable matchup. The Rangers' top defenseman registered 28.6 DraftKings points against Winnipeg on Thursday, after all.
Ryan Pulock ($4,200) was sneaky good last season registering 37 points, 180 shots and 148 blocks while averaging just 1:53 of power-play time per contest. He's expected to be the go-to shooter on the No. 1 unit this season, and the Caps ranked 24th in penalty-kill percentage with an underwhelming 78.9 mark.
Both Ville Heinola ($3,000) and Rasmus Sandin ($2,900) recorded an assist in their NHL debuts Wednesday, and both first-round selections offer cap relief with a splash of upside Friday. Heinola definitely offers the higher floor, though. He logged 18:24 of ice time with 1:48 on the power play compared to Sandin's 8:58 usage, which was all at even strength.
