Daily Fantasy Hockey 2015: DraftKings NHL Optimal Lineup for Oct. 31

The Boston Bruins have shaken off a regrettable start that saw them lose their first three games of the season. All of those games were at home, and they were all lost by multiple goals.

While it's not good to overreact to a slow start, this was a team that failed to make the playoffs last year, fired its general manager and went through a troubling offseason. 

However that 0-3 start was not a preview of things to come. Out of nowhere, the Bruins recorded a 5-0-1 mark in their next six games. The team bears little resemblance to the one that struggled to put the puck in the net a year ago.

The Bruins are averaging 4.0 goals per game, and that's good for first in the league. They are also connecting on a league-leading 32.1 percent of their power-play attempts.

Fantasy players have to know that and feature key Bruins players in their DraftKings lineup on a regular basis. After beating Florida on Friday night, Boston is at Tampa Bay on Saturday.

We have $50,000 to spend on our lineup, and we have one key Bruins player we are going to put in our team. We recommend that you use him as well.

Position	Player, Team	Opponent	FPPG	Salary
C	David Krejci, Boston	Tampa Bay	6.2	$5,700
C	Connor McDavid, Edmonton	Calgary	3.8	$5,600
W	Zach Parise, Minnesota	St. Louis	4.8	$8,000
W	Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis	Minnesota	5.2	$7,600
W	Jason Zucker, Minnesota	St. Louis	3.3	$4,000
D	Dougie Hamilton, Calgary	Edmonton	2.4	$4,500
D	Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota	St. Louis	2.6	$3,600
G	Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh	Toronto	5.6	$7,700
U	Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Ottawa	Detroit	2.3	$3,100

Centers: David Krejci, Boston Bruins ($5,700) and Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers ($5,600)

Let's face it, David Krejci had an awful season in 2014-15. Troubled by injuries throughout the year, Krejci scored seven goals and 24 assists in 47 games. There were questions about Krejci and his teammates, and the Czech center may have had some doubts himself.

While it's still early, Krejci has started the season by playing superb hockey. His confidence has returned, and he has already matched the seven goals he scored last year. He also added his eighth assist in the Bruins' 3-1 win against Florida. Krejci is on a roll, and we expect his hot start to continue at Tampa Bay on Saturday night. He should be good for at least two points as the Bruins look for revenge against the Bolts after losing an early-season game to them in Boston.

Connor McDavid is the real thing, and the No. 1 draft pick is already paying dividends for the Edmonton Oilers. His size, speed and instincts have made him a major factor already, and there's no reason to believe he won't follow up a strong game against Montreal on Thursday night with a big effort against Calgary. McDavid produced two assists in the third period of Edmonton's 4-3 comeback victory over the Habs, and he has five goals and seven assists in his first 11 NHL games.

Christine Cotter/Associated Press

Wings: Zach Parise, Minnesota Wild ($8,000), Vladimir Tarasenko, St. Louis Blues ($7,600) and Jason Zucker, Minnesota Wild ($4,000)

It's an important weekend for the Minnesota Wild, as they defeated the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night and face tough divisional rival St. Louis on the road on Saturday.

Any time the Wild are playing divisional rivals, you can expect Zach Parise to come up with a big effort. Parise did not get on the board in the Wild's 5-4 victory over the Hawks, but he did fire five shots on goal. He has scored seven goals and two assists this season, and there's no reason to think he won't play a key role against the Blues and get on the board at least once.

The Blues have their own high-powered scorer, and there's no stopping Vladimir Tarasenko when he has time and space in the offensive zone. Tarasenko and the rested Blues should be in a position to come at the Wild at full speed early in the game and register two or three early goals. If they can do that, this game could turn into a track meet with a lot of scoring from both sides.

Tarasenko has notched six goals and four assists in the Blues' first 10 games. He has one of the best wrist shots in the league, and if he scores in the first 10 minutes, a multiple-goal night is likely.

Jason Zucker has explosive speed and showed off his trademark acceleration in the win over the Blackhawks with a goal and an assist. In addition to his ability to skate away from the defense, Zucker is a clever playmaker with a knack for making sharp passes. After Friday night's production, Zucker has two goals and six assists, and he will get on the scoreboard for the Wild again on Saturday night.

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Defensemen: Dougie Hamilton, Calgary Flames ($4,500) and Jared Spurgeon, Minnesota Wild ($3,600)

Dougie Hamilton has not gotten off to the start he was hoping for with the Calgary Flames. The former Boston Bruin has a vicious wrist shot and slapper from the right point and is a good puck carrier. While he makes some occasional defensive lapses, the Flames are expecting consistent offensive production from him.

Hamilton has two goals so far this season, and he has not registered an assist. However, he simply has too much talent for this to continue, and the Flames have a game at Edmonton on Saturday night. It should be a high-scoring affair, and Hamilton will get on the board.

Like Hamilton, Jared Spurgeon is a defenseman who likes to jump into the attack. His offensive instincts paid off on Friday night, when he scored a goal against Chicago—his first of the year. He also has four assists. Look for Spurgeon to jump into the play against the Blues on Saturday and create some offensive chances.

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Goalie: Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins ($7,700)

Marc-Andre Fleury and the Penguins got off to a slow start, but both the goaltender and the team have turned it around of late. Fleury started the season with three straight losses, but he has followed that up with five wins in his last six games.

Fleury has a 1.90 goals-against average and a .937 save percentage to go with one shutout. The Penguins are on the road at Toronto on Saturday, and Fleury should make it six wins in seven games. Don't expect the Leafs to score more than once against Fleury in this game.

---

Enter the DraftKings $1.5M Play-Action Contest this weekend. Use promo code BLEACHER REPORT when you sign up.