This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Devils and Wild are finally back in action, playing just their 10th and 12th game of the season, respectively, as part of a six-game slate. The Devils are 2-0 against the Rangers this season and hope to extend that streak at 7 p.m. EST. The Wild have a 3-1 edge in the season series against the Kings –though three of the games were decided by one goal – and puck drop is at 10 p.m. Here's the rundown on the rest:
Islanders at Sabres (7 p.m.): It's the second half of a back-to-back so backups Ilya Sorokin and Carter Hutton may start. The Sabres had zero shots on goal in the third period despite trailing 3-1. They finished the night with just four high-danger scoring chances.
Capitals at Penguins (7 p.m.): This series has averaged eight goals per game and the O/U has been set at 6.5 by FanDuel Sportsbook. The Caps have lost four straight, no thanks to shaky goaltending, while the Pens have won two straight, thanks to the play of their top line.
Predators at Stars (8:30 p.m.): This was supposed to be the second half of a back-to-back but last night's game was postponed due to weather-related issues in Dallas. It remains to be seen if this game will be postponed as well, but it's worth noting the Stars were expecting to start Anton Khudobin.
Avalanche at Golden Knights (10 p.m.): The odds are almost dead even, according to FanDuel Sportsbook, and their meeting yesterday ended up being a 1-0 victory for Vegas. Expect the starters to be Philipp Grubauer and Marc-Andre Fleury again.
(All fancy stats courtesy Natural Stat Trick.)
GOALIES
Ilya Sorokin, NYI at BUF ($8,200): Sorokin has been very underwhelming with 11 goals allowed in three games, but the matchup should be in his favor with the Sabres struggling to generate offense. The Sabres are 22nd in GF/GP, though both Jack Eichel and Taylor Hall have shooting percentages well below their career averages. I like the Isles' chances, but I don't expect Sorokin to post good numbers.
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. NJD ($7,300): He had a shaky start in January but he has yet to allow more than two goals in any game in February. The thinking is that the Devils might be rusty, having practised for the first time on Monday since entering COVID protocol, and they had trouble scoring even before that.
Cal Petersen, LA vs. MIN ($6,700): If we're picking against the Devils then we have to be consistent; the Wild are also coming off a long break and Cam Talbot may be unavailable. The shine on Kirill Kaprizov has dulled, key veterans Nick Bonino and Ian Cole are not expected to play, and the Wild are 21st in GF/GP and own the league's worst power play. Petersen's been underappreciated this season even though he ranks 7th in GSAA.
VALUE PLAYS
Mats Zuccarello, MIN at LA ($4,100): The Norwegian playmaker will make his season debut after undergoing surgery on his arm during the off-season. His minutes may be limited because he hasn't played all season, but the Wild are very shorthanded with key veterans still on the COVID list. It's a decent bet Zuccarello will be one of the two power play units.
Zach Aston-Reese, PIT vs. WSH ($3,300): One of his goals was an empty netter, but that's now two goals in two games for the checking forward. He's an analytics darling known more for his defensive play, but it's a good sign that ZAR also has eight shots in two games. The coaches trust him a lot, so lack of ice time is usually not an issue for him.
Oliver Wahlstrom, NYI at BUF ($3,000): Wahlstrom is getting very limited ice time, but he did manage to pick up an assist in 11 minutes. What's more intriguing, however, is his efficiency; he's registered four shots on net three times in his past four games.
LINE STACKS
Sabres vs. Islanders
Jack Eichel (C - $7,600), Jeff Skinner (W - $4,100), Victor Olofsson (W - $6,600)
A power-play goal on Monday extended Olofsson's point streak to seven games, and he's the least of your worries on this line. Just in case the Sabres bounce back with a strong performance, look for Eichel to go on a hot streak sooner than later. He has just two goals in 11 games thanks to an uncharacteristically bad shooting percentage.
Penguins vs. Capitals
Sidney Crosby (C - $7,800), Jake Guentzel (W - $7,100), Bryan Rust (W - $6,300)
Strike while the iron is hot, and that's Rust and Guentzel, both of whom have six points in three games. This line's been dynamite and will be leaned on heavily because Evgeni Malkin doesn't show up half the time.
Devils at Rangers
Jack Hughes (C - $4,700), Andreas Johnsson (W - $3,600), Jesper Bratt (W - $3,900)
The Devils haven't played in two weeks so the lines may look different, but prior to the break this was their top line. Stack this line just in case the Devils don't miss a beat after their long layoff, and $4,700 is a strong value play for Hughes. Both Hughes and Bratt play on PP1.
DEFENSEMEN
Miro Heiskanen, DAL vs. NSH ($4,800): Now that John Klingberg isn't scoring at an obscene rate, Heiskanen is once again more than just a better value pick. Heiskanen has three assists in his past five games to Klingberg's two.
Matt Dumba, MIN at LA ($4,000): Look for Dumba to play a ton of minutes if Jared Spurgeon can't play. Dumba has not played since Jan. 30 due to injury but remains the leader in goals (3) and shots (25) among Wild defensemen.
Ty Smith, NJ at NYR ($3,800): We didn't forget how good Smith was in his first month as a pro. He had the golden touch and asides from two games against the Flyers, he's registered a point and a shot in every game. He's tied with Hughes and Miles Wood for most points on the team, and based on past performance Smith could be a strong value play as well.
Bowen Byram, COL at VGK ($3,500): There are no indications Cale Makar will miss additional time after leaving Sunday's game, but if Makar is forced to sit out, look for Byram to take over on the power play.
Calen Addison, MIN at LA ($3,500): One word describes Addison's game: Offense. He scored 182 points in his final 185 games of major junior and in just six games as a pro has already notched five assists. His offensive upside is huge, and while head coach Dean Evason has not revealed his lineup, look for Addison to get sheltered minutes at even strength but some good looks (especially with this mustache) on the power play.
