Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: Best NHL DFS DraftKings Lineup for Feb. 12

Thursday features another massive slate for NHL DraftKings players with nine games to pick apart. Below is a look at one solid lineup option and players to focus on.

Pos.	Player	Opp (OPRK)	FPPG	Salary
C	Ryan Kesler	@ CAR (13th)	3.5	$6,000
C	Tomas Plekanec	EDM (28th)	3.6	$5,500
W	Mats Zuccarello	@ COL (27th)	2.8	$5,700
W	Brendan Gallagher	EDM (22nd)	3.1	$5,200
W	Jason Pominville	FLA (18th)	3.6	$6,000
D	Andrei Markov	EDM (28th)	3.2	$5,300
D	Johnny Boychuk	TOR (27th)	3.6	$4,800
G	Jaroslav Halak	TOR (20th)	4.9	$7,800
UTIL	Kevin Hayes	@ COL (27th)	1.8	$3,700

C Tomas Plekanec, Montreal Canadiens ($5,500)

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Looking for solid production at a decent asking price? Tomas Plekanec is the perfect option.

The Montreal Canadiens center hasn't been terribly productive this season, but he has turned things around recently. With three goals in the last three games, Plekanec has now amassed eight points in his last 10 games played.

Tack on his hits and blocked shots over that span, and Plekanec has a sneaky 4.1 fantasy points per game. Facing an Edmonton Oilers team that allows 3.2 goals per game, expect Plekanec to continue his upward trend.

W Mats Zuccarello, New York Rangers ($5,700)

Currently riding a six-game point streak, Mats Zuccarello is one of the hottest middle-tier players in fantasy. At a low cost of $5,700 for the New York Rangers player, DraftKings owners can trust him as a No. 1 winger.

Rangers coach Alain Vigneault recently noted Zuccarello will be moved to the top power-play unit.

“It’s very simple: Mats has found his game, and he’s playing extremely well,” Vigneault said, via Pat Leonard of the New York Daily News. “He seems to be playing with a lot of poise and confidence with the puck, so I just felt that his five-on-five unit (with Derick Brassard and Rick Nash) should stay together.”

Look for Zuccarello to stay hot against the Colorado Avalanche, which rank 27th in the league against wings.

D Andrei Markov, Montreal Canadiens ($5,300)

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After a slow start to the season, Andrei Markov has been on a tear in recent weeks. Over his last 28 games, the defenseman has scored 21 points, including nine in his last 10 games.

But defensemen aren't only useful for their scoring abilities, and Markov has been productive in other categories as well. His 23 blocked shots during the last 10 games are phenomenal for any player, especially one who will only cost $5,300.

G Jaroslav Halak, New York Islanders ($7,800)

Jaroslav Halak has a three-game winning streak going, but the most recent was his best. Peppered with 36 shots from the Edmonton Oilers, Halak turned away 34 to earn 7.8 fantasy points for his owners.

Halak didn't have great results earlier this season against the Toronto Maple Leafs, but this is a different club. The Leafs are 2-15 since the start of 2015, giving DraftKings owners a near guarantee for a win with Halak.

UTIL Kevin Hayes, New York Rangers ($3,700)

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Targeting a young player with potential is typically limited to just the utility spot. With Kevin Hayes, that's exactly what fantasy players get in return. The 22-year-old player has earned increased ice time recently and made the most of it with five points in his last six games.

The Rangers right wing might only have 21 points all season, but he's getting hot at the right time. Heading into a matchup with the Avalanche, Hayes will show up in a big way along with teammate Zuccarello.

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