This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
DraftKings' slate today includes six games, with the Stadium Series and another chapter in the Battle of Ontario being the big highlights.
The Kings just snapped their five-game losing streak, but have recorded just two wins in their past 10 games on the road. It's just their first meeting this season, after the Avalanche went 2-0-1 against LA last season with 16 goals scored. The Avs' offense is likely just too much for the Kings, who rank 23rd in GA/GP and 30th in GF/GP. Take it with a grain of salt, but the home team has won in four of the past five Stadium Series.
The Senators are coming off a similar situation having won their first game after losing six straight. The Maple Leafs have looked inconsistent but have won both games so far against the Sens. They should also have no trouble scoring goals despite struggles in net, as their games have featured at least six goals in five of their past six meetings.
The Blackhawks deserved a better fate against Vancouver, but have so far gone 0-3 in their road trip through Western Canada. The Flames have had a two-day break after returning home from a road trip where they went 3-1, including an emphatic 6-0 win against the Ducks after a loss to the Kings the night before. The Flames have lost to the Blackhawks just once since 2017-18.
The Canadiens will host the Stars and in a rare occasion may not start Carey Price, who played Friday. The Stars have won three straight while the Habs have lost three in a row.
The Coyotes have barely treaded water since trading for Taylor Hall, and hosting the Capitals will be a tough challenge with Arizona winning just three of their past 15 games.
The Golden Knights are coming off a wild 6-5 win against the Blues and host an Islanders' squad whose performance has recently fallen off a cliff. Both are clinging to playoff hopes, but Vegas has just been slightly more consistent. And Vegas's all-time record against them is 2-2-1.
GOALIES
Philipp Grubauer ($8,300) will be a popular pick but the Stadium Series have been rather high-scoring games since its inception, with only three of the 10 games featuring three goals or less.
David Rittich ($8,200) and Cam Talbot ($8,200) are both dicey plays against the Blackhawks. With a depleted blueline, there are no guarantees they can keep Patrick Kane in check as he continues to be elite despite Chicago's poor record.
Jack Campbell ($8,100) should get the win, but like Grubauer it may prove costly as the Leafs' defense is missing key bodies and Campbell's body of work has just been okay this season. You're banking on a good Leafs' offense to win this game.
Marc-Andre Fleury ($7,900) and Braden Holtby ($7,800) should get the wins despite their shaky recent play. But the best value play is probably Ben Bishop ($7,700), who faces a team without a legitimate top line and provided solid goaltending all season.
VALUE PLAYS
Kirby Dach ($3,300) nearly had a goal against the Canucks, and overall has looked pretty solid for Chicago. He's playing on a high-upside kid line with Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome. Dach's also managed to register a shot in 16 straight contests.
Denis Gurianov ($4,000) has scored in four of his past five and now plays on the top line and top power-play unit with Jamie Benn. He's got a lot of skill and it looks like he's just heating up.
J.T. Compher ($4,200) has taken much of Nazem Kadri's minutes and skated over 17 minutes in three of his past four games. His offense is limited, but the opportunities are there.
Nick Suzuki ($4,400) comes in $200 cheaper than Max Domi and has been far more productive. He has four points in his past five games playing with Ilya Kovalchuk.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Dallas Stars (TOTAL: $12,700)
C – Jason Dickinson ($3,500)
W – Jamie Benn ($5,200)
W – Denis Gurianov ($4,000)
Benn hasn't struggled as much as Tyler Seguin and Gurianov has the hot hand. It's a cheap line stack and they'll likely face backup Charlie Lindgren.
Toronto Maple Leafs (TOTAL: $22,700)
C – Auston Matthews ($8,500)
W – Mitch Marner ($7,500)
W – William Nylander ($6,700)
It's an expensive one, but well worth it. The Leafs have loaded up their top line and Matthews has terrorized the Sens since day one. Also, Ottawa top shot blocker Mark Borowiecki will not play.
Vegas Golden Knights (TOTAL: $19,000)
C – William Karlsson ($5,000)
W – Mark Stone ($6,100)
W – Max Pacioretty ($7,900)
The Isles' goaltending has come down to Earth and - worst-case scenario - this line generates a lot of shots.
DEFENSEMEN
John Carlson ($7,700) has registered four assists in his past two games and remains elite. But he's quite expensive when there are other options available. That includes power play QBs Cale Makar ($6,200) and Tyson Barrie ($6,000), both facing easier matchups against mediocre teams. Shea Theodore ($5,700) has racked up six assists in his past four, but the Isles represent a tougher, more defensive opponent.
Ryan Graves ($5,800) and Jeff Petry ($5,400) are both solid plays because they play a lot of minutes in all situations. Graves blocks a lot of shots and Petry gets power play time as an added bonus. Connor Murphy ($4,800), Jakob Chychrun ($4,500), John Klingberg ($4,300) and Nate Schmidt ($4,200) are also decent cheaper options.
