This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are 14 games on tap starting at 1:00 p.m. EST all the way through 10:30 p.m., so… *deep breath*… Here. We. Go.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. DAL ($8,700): It's the first meeting between the two Cup finalists and their seasons couldn't be any more different. Vasilevskiy and the Bolts have the clear advantage with the Stars missing two regulars (Tyler Seguin, Alexander Radulov) and possibly missing a third (Roope Hintz). The Stars have only scored six goals over their past three games and rank 30th in GF 5v5.
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK at ANH ($8,500): Fleury is coming off a shutout against the Avs and has been one of the league's best goalies with a .942 Sv%. The Ducks eked out a 1-0 win last game and three of four have been decided by just one goal, but they've also only taken three of their 13 all-time matchups versus Vegas. After Detroit's recent five-goal outburst, the Ducks are once again dead last in GF/GP.
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. MON ($8,300): This is a good chance to take advantage of the high-flying Jets and a Habs' team deep into an identity crisis after a 6-3 loss and some harsh words from their new coach following the firing of Claude Julien. The Jets are providing a lot of goal support, especially from their top line.
Brian Elliott, PHI at BUF ($7,800): Elliott gets his second straight start after winning his previous appearance, though it wasn't a particularly strong performance. The Sabres may be without top center Jack Eichel (even if he was struggling), which further tilts the ice in Philly's favor.
Kevin Lankinen, CHI vs. DET ($7,400): Malcolm Subban recorded a shutout, but expect the Hawks to go back to Lankinen as he's been their No. 1 for most of the season. The Red Wings looked uncharacteristically good on offense against the Preds last time out, but the Hawks have limited the Wings to two goals or less in all four meetings this year with Lankinen posting a 3-0 record and .966 Sv%.
Joonas Korpisalo, CBJ at NSH ($7,200): Korpisalo should be a solid pick based on both value and win probability. He was very solid in his last start by only allowing one goal against the Hawks. And though the last two games were split, the Preds needed to fire 45 shots and score twice in 29 seconds in the third period to earn the W.
VALUE PLAYS
Nico Hischier, NJ at WSH ($4,500): Vitek Vanecek (.909 Sv%, 2.86 GAA) is expected to start while Hischier has stepped back into his usual role right away. The Devils' captain scored his first goal of the season last contest and has averaged 18 minutes against Buffalo while playing top-six minutes along with PP1 duties.
Pius Suter, CHI vs. DET ($4,100): Suter's a decent value play as long as he plays on the top line with Patrick Kane and let's not forget he notched his first career hat trick against the Wings. His production can be streaky, but he manages to generate a consistent number of shots on net. Carl Soderberg has taken Suter's place on PP1, but do we realistically expect that to last all season?
Pavel Zacha, NJ at WSH ($4,000): Zacha has a chance to extend his point streak to nine games, having already scored four points in two matchups against the Sabres. He's scoring at a career-high pace thanks to a career-high shooting percentage and a bigger role on the man advantage.
Radek Faksa, DAL at TB ($3,600): Faksa led all Stars' forwards with 20:45 TOI last game, including 1:31 on the power play. If Hintz misses the game, look for Faksa to once again log a lot of minutes and come in as one of the better value plays despite playing against an elite opponent.
Zach Aston-Reese, PIT at NYI ($3,300): With Jason Zucker injured, ZAR hopped onto Evgeni Malkin's left wing. Aston-Reese is known for his defensive play, but he earns the coaches' trust because he does the little things well. Hopefully, his forechecking ability and two-way play will help spur some more offense from Malkin and Bryan Rust.
LINE STACKS
Penguins at Islanders
Sidney Crosby (C - $7,800), Jake Guentzel (W - $7,300), Kasperi Kapanen (W - $4,700)
Sid has produced five points over four games against the Isles this season, continuing his historic dominance against them. And with an injury to Zucker, this is undoubtedly the Pens' best line.
Jets vs. Canadiens
Mark Scheifele (C - $8,100), Pierre-Luc Dubois (W - $5,000), Blake Wheeler (W - $7,000)
This has been one of the best lines in hockey over the past two outings as they've combined for 11 points. They're tough to defend against because of their size and skill, and the Habs have been very leaky on defense. The underlying analytics suggest this trio isn't all that good 5v5, but it's hard to ignore their production. The Habs, by the way, take a lot of penalties.
Senators vs. Flames
Artem Anisimov (C - $3,000), Drake Batherson (W - $4,300), Tim Stutzle (W - $4,100)
I'll never quite understand why coaches like Anisimov so much, but at least his salary is low. Batherson and Stutzle have been playing their best hockey all season and all three earn power-play time with Stutzle on PP1 and the other two on PP2. The Flames are a vulnerable opponent right now.
Wild vs. Kings
Joel Eriksson Ek (C - $4,600), Kevin Fiala (W - $6,100), Jordan Greenway (W - $3,900)
The offense may not always show up on the scoresheet, but analytically this has been the Wild's best line. The trio combined to score Minnesota's third goal last night, while holding a distinct advantage in 5v5 CF% according to Natural Stat Trick.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore, VGK at ANH ($6,400): Theodore's been relatively quiet lately, registering just one shot in four of his past five games and held without a point in two against the Avs. Vegas should have a much easier time generating offense against the hapless Ducks, with Theodore providing two helpers and eight shots in three matchups against them this season.
Cale Makar, COL at ARI ($6,200): Makar's upside is tremendous, even though he's only registered two assists over his past four games. His 61.18 5v5 CF% ranks first in the league among defensemen with at least 10 games played while also generating scoring chances at the fifth-highest rate.
Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. TOR ($5,700): This is a great value play if Barrie can keep scoring at his recent point-per-game pace and it doesn't hurt Mike Smith can bail him out while also getting to play with two of the league's best players on the power play. Barrie's increased scoring rate has pushed his FPPG to within range of Roman Josi and John Carlson, both of whom listing higher salaries.
Mikhail Sergachev, TB vs. DAL ($4,800): This is simply a good matchup for the Lightning, who have the better and deeper lineup right now. His 13 points this season, including a goal in his last game, ranks 14th among defensemen in the league. The only player who has scored more points but plays less minutes in that group is Keith Yandle ($4,600).
Ty Smith, NJ vs. WSH ($3,800): I've been on Smith's bandwagon since Day One, while the gifted playmaker hit the scoresheet again after a five-game hiatus. He finished with two helpers - including one on the power play - and will face a team that enters with the second-worst penalty differential at minus-12.
