This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's a relatively light six-game slate for Tuesday, and it starts off with a bang with Taylor Hall potentially making his Bruins debut against his former team at 7 p.m. EDT. New possible debuts, depending on travel and potential COVID restrictions, could also see Anthony Mantha in a Capitals uniform as they host the Flyers (7 p.m.), David Savard with the Lightning when they visit the Predators (8 p.m.) and Sami Vatanen for the Stars with the Panthers visiting (8:30 p.m.)
GOALIES
Ilya Samsonov, WSH vs. PHI ($8,600): Vitek Vanecek might draw the start because he's been better, but either should be able to get the win against the Flyers. The season series is 3-1 in favor of the Caps, but the games have been very high-scoring and quite close. The fear is a few goals allowed and a poor save percentage, but the Caps may have Mantha in the lineup and neither Flyers goaltender has fared well against the Caps.
Igor Shesterkin, NYR at NJ ($7,800): The Devils have lost six of their past seven, which is still a worse proposition than the Rangers' up-and-down play recently. Alexandar Georgiev may draw the start but both him and Shesterkin should be winning picks. Since losing their first two meetings of the season, the Rangers are 2-0 against the Devils with a 12-4 advantage in goals scored. It's also worth noting the Rangers have 10 wins on the road while the Devils have won just four times at home.
Jeremy Swayman, BOS vs. BUF ($7,700): There's word that Tuukka Rask may return, but no matter who the Bruins start, they should have the definite edge over the Sabres. There's a bit of a "nobody believes in us" with the Sabres winning three of their past five games despite trade rumors and Hall getting held out of the lineup, but the Bruins have outscored them 7-3 in two previous meetings. Both Hall and Curtis Lazar – should they play – are positive additions to the Bruins' scoring depth even though they're missing key players on the blue line.
Anton Khudobin, DAL vs. FLA ($7,400): If the Panthers have the edge, it's not very big. The goal differential between the two teams in six contests is just one goal, and the Panthers are struggling all of a sudden with three straight losses, while the Stars have put in some pretty impressive performances lately, including a 4-1 win against the Panthers on April 10. I like the value for both Khudobin and Jake Oettinger, if he gets the start, because the difference between the two teams seems very marginal at the moment.
VALUE PLAYS
Jack Hughes, NJ vs. NYR ($4,700): Nico Hischier is on track to return from injury, which is going to open up some easier matchups for Hughes. His underlying possession numbers have been very good, but the lack of quality on his wings and general bad luck has suppressed his point production. In the five games Hischier has played this season, Hughes has managed to score three points.
Casey Mittelstadt, BUF at BOS ($3,800): The upside for Mittelstadt with the Sabres dealing their top-six players is more ice time. He's scored five goals in his past seven games, and the Bruins aren't an intimidating matchup defensively right now with multiple injuries to their defensemen.
LINE STACKS
Bruins vs. Sabres
David Krejci (C - $4,800), Taylor Hall (W - $5,400), Craig Smith (W - $4,800)
This will probably be the Bruins' second line to start with David Pastrnak getting moved back to the first line. Hall's lack of finish is concerning, but Smith has traditionally been very good at getting shots on net at even strength. With Charlie McAvoy still injured, the bonus for this line stack is Krejci (and maybe Hall replacing Nick Ritchie) playing on PP1.
Capitals vs. Flyers
Nicklas Backstrom (C - $6,600), Anthony Mantha (W - $4,700), Conor Sheary (W - $3,900)
It's unlikely Mantha slots onto the top line, so this is the most likely spot he'll begin with on the Caps. All due respect to Dylan Larkin, Backstrom is the superior playmaker and this could be a boon for Mantha, who gets to face the Flyers' atrocious goaltending.
Rangers at Devils
Ryan Strome (C - $6,000), Artemi Panarin (W - $8,200), Colin Blackwell (W - $3,800)
Blackwell keeps this line stack affordable, but the key is Panarin, who had two assists in his lone game against the Devils. Strome has been surprisingly consistent on offense this season, mostly thanks to playing on a line with Panarin. Expected starter MacKenzie Blackwood has a 4.05 GAA in April.
DEFENSEMEN
John Carlson, WSH vs. PHI ($6,900): Carlson gets a good matchup against the 28th-ranked penalty kill. There's a pretty big premium compared to Victor Hedman ($6,400) and Roman Josi ($6,300), but keep in mind the Predators are improving and the Lightning are without their top shooter (Steven Stamkos) on the power play. There's not a whole lot to pick from, which could make Carlson a popular choice.
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. CGY ($5,300): The Flames are still a bit of a mess on defense and their PK currently ranks 23rd this month. Rielly has notched a helper in two straight games with seven shots on net. He is also playing on arguably the most dangerous power play in the league with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at WSH ($4,100): There's not a lot of high upside defensemen in action, so Gostisbehere could be worth the gamble. He's scored three goals in his past four games, and in only two games this season has Gostisbehere failed to register a single shot on net.
