Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: NHL DraftKings Picks for January 30

After an amazing Thursday night chock-full of NHL action, the work week will end with five games on the docket.

The red-hot St. Louis Blues will take on the Carolina Hurricanes, the NHL-leading Anaheim Ducks will face the Chicago Blackhawks, the Pittsburgh Penguins will face the New Jersey Devils, the Vancouver Canucks will look to dispatch the Buffalo Sabres and the Nashville Predators will face the Colorado Avalanche.

There are a number of interesting players you could draft in order to create a winning lineup, and here’s a look at the players you should checkmark.

POS	Player	Opponent	Price
C	David Backes	@CAR	$7,700
C	Mike Ribeiro	@COL	$4,600
W	Alexander Steen	@CAR	$8,500
W	David Perron	@NJD	$5,200
W	Alex Tanguay	@NSH	$3,600
D	David Rundblad	@ANA	$3,100
D	Kevin Shattenkirk	@CAR	$5,300
G	Jake Allen	@CAR	$7,600
UTIL	Kyle Palmieri	vs.CHI	$4,200

Centers: David Backes ($7,700) and Mike Ribeiro ($4,600)

David Backes is the hottest center in the league right now with 14 points in his last seven games. Backes should have a field day against a very weak Carolina Hurricanes squad and earn you valuable fantasy points in the process.

It is a mystery as to why Mike Ribeiro is valued so low, but that makes things even better for you. The veteran center has 43 points on the season, including five points in the last three games. He has been one of Nashville’s most consistent players this year, and that makes him a valuable asset in a salary-capped fantasy world.

Wingers: Alex Steen ($8,500), David Perron ($5,200) and Alex Tanguay ($3,600)

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Alex Steen is David Backes’ running mate, and he has been equally as hot over the last few weeks. Steen also has 17 points in the month of January, and pairing him with Backes to potentially earn double points is a win-win situation.

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David Perron has thrived since joining the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he has six goals and nine points in 10 games. Prior to that, Perron had 19 points in 38 games, so it is clear that the change of scenery has helped. The Penguins winger has four points in six games versus New Jersey, and look for him to improve that statistic on Friday.

Last, but certainly not least, is Alex Tanguay of the Colorado Avalanche. The veteran winger has 33 points in 47 games, including eight points in the last 10 games. He’s proven to be a decent fantasy-point contributor, and he’s been one of Colorado’s most successful forwards this season.

Defensemen: Kevin Shattenkirk ($5,300) and David Rundblad ($3,100)

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Kevin Shattenkirk will provide solid value coming in at a price tag of $5,300. He’s had 10 points over his last 10 games, and he averages 3.8 fantasy points a game for DraftKings.

There are other options available, such as Kris Letang of the Pittsburgh Penguins, but Shattenkirk’s hot streak has been just as good and will continue against an abjectly terrible Hurricanes squad.

David Rundblad should provide even more value at $3,100, as he is now a top-pairing defender alongside Duncan Keith.

The 24-year-old youngster has only 10 points this season, but he has scored points in three straight games. He is trending up, and you should take advantage while he is still a bargain pickup.

Goaltender: Jake Allen ($7,600)

Jake Allen hasn’t played well as of late, but he’s pretty much a lock to pick up a win against the third-worst team in the NHL. The Blues are playing amazing right now, and the Hurricanes can’t score to save their lives.

Allen showed promise earlier this year, and he’s a good goaltender who has fallen victim to inactivity. Since Brian Elliott returned from injury, Allen has spent a lot of time on the bench, but he will get back into the win column on Friday night.

Utility: Kyle Palmieri ($4,200)

Jonathan Moore/Getty Images

The Anaheim Ducks are playing amazing hockey, and Kyle Palmieri has been a huge part of the team’s recent success. Palmieri has five goals and seven points in the last 10 games, and he continues to be a driving force for Anaheim.

He is a solid utility pickup for $4,200 and can help boost your offense while he’s on a hot streak.