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DraftKings daily picks: Fantasy hockey lineup – March 23, 2018

By Riley Butler

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 21: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Evgeni Malkin (71) looks on during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens on March 21, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins defeated the Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 21: Pittsburgh Penguins Center Evgeni Malkin (71) looks on during the second period in the NHL game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Montreal Canadiens on March 21, 2018, at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA. The Penguins defeated the Canadiens 5-3. (Photo by Jeanine Leech/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Alex Pietrangelo
CHICAGO, IL – MARCH 18: St. Louis Blues defenseman Alex Pietrangelo (27) looks on during the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues on March 18, 2018, at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

High Salary Defensemen

Alex Pietrangelo, VAN vs STL ($5,900): The rollercoaster season for the Blues has really mimicked the season that Alex Pietrangelo is having. The Blues captain was the front-runner for the Norris at the start of the season, after the Blues had a stellar start to the year. But now the that has all changed. Through the team struggles, the captain has been good, but in the last recent stretch of games he has been superb. He posted seven points (3G, 4A)  in two games against the Blackhawks and the Rangers before being held pointless against the Bruins on Wednesday. The Blues are facing a hapless Vancouver Canucks team that has won one of eight. This a chance for the Pietrangelo to have a big game.*****

Rasmus Ristolainen, MON vs BUF ($5,700): Ristolainen isn’t having the breakout campaign that he had last year and much of that can be attributed to an overall poor team in Buffalo. With that being said, Rasmus Ristolainen is a big physical defender that will get you numbers in shots, hits, and blocks and he can contribute from the blue line as well. In a game between basement dwellers in the Sabres and the Candiens, I would expect Ristolainen to either produce at least a point or produce solid peripheral coverage. ****

John Klingberg, BOS vs DAL ($5,300): Klingberg has continued to play and produce at a stellar rate, leading to a very likely Norris nomination when the season is over. The offensively gifted defender has been playing well along with the stars of the team in Benn and Seguin and has continued to produce consistently, netting four assists in his last four games. Facing a solid but injury-riddled Boston it wouldn’t be unlikely to see multiple-point night out of Klingberg along with some solid shots and blocks coverage. ****

High Value Defensemen

Sami Vatanen, NJ vs PIT ($5,000): Even though Sami Vatanen is coming off of a hot-stretch through the late half of February, he is still playing well and is a solid choice for depth defense tonight. The Devils are facing the Penguins in a Metro clash that could have very serious playoff implications. Vatanen produces solid peripheral coverage in both blocks and hits.**

Colton Parayko, VAN vs STL ($4,900): Colton Parayko has been another victim of the St. Louis Blues rollercoaster season but has stabilized as of recent and is another good option for depth defense. In his last 10 games, Parayko has recorded five points (1G, 4A) but has added solid peripheral coverage with 19 hits and 20 blocks. He is coming off of an assist against the Bruins on Wednesday. ***

Hampus Lindholm, ANA vs WIN ($4,300): Hampus Lindholm is one of those players whose ability to succeed on the ice will unfortunately never fully translate well into fantasy, but that isn’t to say he doesn’t provide value. Lindholm scored his 11th goal of the season on Wednesday against Calgary and is enjoying a career year on the offensive side of things with 27 points. He is a very solid option as a depth defender or utility player.***