This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Here we are. The final day of the NHL regular season. Well, it would be if the Panthers and Bruins weren't playing a makeup game Sunday. There are 15 games Saturday, though the afternoon game between the Flyers and Rangers is not included for daily fantasy purposes. Here are some lineup recommendations from the other 14 games on the slate.
GOALIE
Florida Panthers, FLA vs. BUF ($16,600): The Panthers are fighting for a playoff spot, while the Sabres have clinched the worst record in the NHL. So, from a motivation perspective, Florida has a huge advantage. If that's not enough for you, the Sabres are also on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. Buffalo has also scored a mere 2.38 goals per game, lowest in the NHL by a decent margin.
CENTER
Dylan Larkin, DET vs. NYI ($12,800): Larkin is ending his campaign on a high note, as he has a five-game point streak. Even though the Red Wings had another poor season, the 21-year-old has a career-high 62 points. The Islanders' defense has had an even worse season than Detroit, allowing 35.5 shots per game for a league-high 3.58 GAA .
Nazem Kadri, TOR vs. MON ($12,500):Kadri crossed the 30-goal threshold for the second season in a row. He's also put 17 shots on net in his last six games. Getting to end the year facing the Canadiens at home is quite the favorable matchup for the veteran pivot. Montreal has a league-high 3.53 GAA on the road.
WING
Kyle Connor, WPG vs. CHI ($13,600): Connor has tallied eight goals and seven assists in his last 12 games, and the rookie has notched 30 goals in 75 games. The Blackhawks have a 3.58 GAA since the All-Star break, tied for highest in the NHL. On top of that, they are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back Saturday.
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. TAM ($10,900): Skinner has started 65.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Hurricanes. He's certainly taken advantage of his favorable positioning, as he has 24 goals and 276 shots on net. The Lightning are on the second day of a back-to-back, and since Andrei Vasilevskiy started Friday, Louis Domingue (3.44 GAA, .892 save percentage) could be in net. Even if he isn't, the Lightning have a 3.32 GAA since the All-Star break with Vasilevskiy between the pipes for most of those games.
Jake DeBrusk, BOS vs. OTT ($9,200): DeBrusk actually one-ups Skinner, as he's started 69.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is naturally highest on the Bruins. The rookie has four points in four games since returning from injury, and before getting banged up he had nine points in eight games. Ottawa has a 3.44 GAA, second highest in the NHL, and it too is on the second night of a back-to-back.
DEFENSEMEN
Alexander Edler, VAN at EDM ($10,400): Edler has a three-game point streak, and in his last seven games he's put 24 shots on net. He's registered 171 shots on goal in 69 games, and he's also blocked a whopping 201 shots. The Oilers have a 3.21 GAA, fourth highest in the NHL, and their penalty kill is ranked 26th. Edler, for his part, has 15 points with the extra man.
Shea Theodore, VGK at CGY ($9,000): Over his last nine games, Theodore has nine points and 34 shots on net. The Flames, on the other hand, have a 3.50 GAA since the All-Star break, thanks largely to an .883 save percentage. Theodore, who has a three-game point streak, could easily extend it to four heading into the playoffs.