The NHL has a lighter, three-game slate on tap for Friday night. We’ve grown accustomed to the large, double-digit slates that offer up a ton of value with blue-chip players being available at a discounted salary. However, we’re forced to take what the league gives us on these smaller slates, which can wind up being a good thing in terms of cashing out DFS contests. Winnipeg will travel to Pittsburgh, San Jose is a slight home underdog against Edmonton, and the New Jersey Devils are -280 favorites on the moneyline on the road against Anaheim.

Tuesday’s recommended picks fared well, with both goaltenders Andrei Vasilevskiy (G – Lightning) and Jake Oettinger (G – Stars) leading their teams to wins, while Sidney Crosby (C – Penguins) and Nico Hischier (C – Devils) scored goals, with the latter producing a multi-point outing. Kyle Connor (LW – Jets) and Brady Skjei (D – Hurricanes) each netted an assist, while Mikhail Sergachev (D – Lightning) and Tyler Toffoli (RW – Flames) were the only skaters held without a point. Overall, six of the eight players either won or netted a point, providing a plethora of points in DraftKings and FanDuel lineups.

There’s fewer players to insert into DFS lineups on Friday’s three-game slate but that just means we’re riding with a few blue-chip prospects and investing in the upside of other tertiary players at a much cheaper salary. I’ve identified eight of my favorite prospects to build lineups around, so let’s find out who they are and whether they are a floor, ceiling, or combination player on DraftKings and FanDuel.

Check out today’s One-Timer contest from FanDuel

Recommended Plays: DraftKings

DraftKings maximum salary is set at $50,000

Leon Draisaitl (C – Oilers): $7,800
I’m opting to go with the slightly cheaper edition of the Edmonton centers with Leon Draisaitl. He’s still an elite player, scoring two goals and four assists in his past five games. San Jose is going to deploy James Reimer (G – Sharks) to defend the crease, which will open up numerous opportunities for Draisaitl to net a point. Reimer has allowed four or more goals in five of his past six starts, so Draisaitl is a top prospect who can be acquired at a slightly lower salary than Connor McDavid (C – Oilers).

Jesper Bratt (LW – Devils): $5,300
New Jersey has an embarrassment of riches in its offense, which includes Jesper Bratt. The 24-year-old winger had his point-streak snapped against Carolina in his last game played, but Bratt previously had at least one point in five consecutive games against quality opponents like Carolina, the New York Rangers, and Pittsburgh Penguins. Bratt has a plus-matchup against Anaheim’s netminder, John Gibson (G – Ducks), who has surrendered 13 goals across his last two starts. Bratt is a huge value at $5,300 on DraftKings.

Josh Morrissey (D – Jets): $5,800
There aren’t a lot of quality defensemen available on the three-game slate Friday night but Josh Morrissey is a quality prospect to insert into lineups. The 27-year-old has two goals and three assists in his last five games played, while attempting two to four shots on goal. Morrissey also has the ability to rack up blocked shots, so he offers a high floor with the potential to deliver a ceiling performance if he manages a shot. Pittsburgh on the road is a tough opponent but Morrissey benefits from surrounding personnel, so fire him up at $5,800 on DraftKings.

Vitek Vanecek (G – Devils): $8,300
We’re playing it safe with Vitek Vanecek. He’s won four consecutive games in the net for New Jersey and while he’s allowed three goals in back-to-back starts, the offense has bailed him out. Anaheim is ranked 31st in the league in goals scored, averaging 2.3 per game, so Vanecek is an easy chalk play in DFS on Friday night.

Recommended Plays: FanDuel

FanDuel maximum salary is set at $55,000

Jack Hughes (C – Devils): $9,600
New Jersey found their future in Jack Hughes. The 21-year-old prodigy is now in his fourth season with the Devils and already has 49 points, which is only seven points shy of his career-high set in 2022. Hughes had his point streak snapped against Carolina earlier in the week, but with a couple days of rest, he should be more than prepared to produce his fourth multi-point outing in his past five games against Anaheim on Friday night. Hughes is worth the price of admission.

Alexander Barabanov (RW – Sharks): $5,700
Alexander Barabanov is the definition of consistency. The 28-year old winger is now in his third year with San Jose and has carved out a niche, functioning as a low-volume shooter who can set-up scoring possessions with his passing ability. Barabanov has a six-game point streak intact entering Friday’s matchup against Edmonton, so you can feel comfortable knowing Barabanov will net an assist against an Oilers team with a vulnerable defense.

Tyson Barrie (D – Oilers): $5,800
Tyson Barrie has some upside against San Jose’s goaltending on Friday night. The Oilers’ veteran defenseman has two assists in his past three games played, while he’s usually good for a couple of blocked shots to provide a reliable floor. Barrie is nothing spectacular in terms of point production in DFS lineups, but at least we’re getting a decent floor at $5,800 on FanDuel.

Jack Campbell (G – Oilers): $7,700
Edmonton is expected to deploy Jack Campbell into the net on Friday night’s road trip to San Jose. The 31-year-old netminder is 10-8 as a starter for the Oilers and hasn’t allowed more than two goals in four consecutive starts. Campbell is a good value at $7,700 for a goaltender on FanDuel, so bank on Edmonton’s offense to score more goals to lead the team to a win, which is the most important metric when rostering goaltenders in DFS.