This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Happy Groundhog Day, although it will only truly be happy if that rodent offers us an early spring. There are 11 NHL games on the evening slate Saturday, and here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN vs. ARI ($8,200): Jones' overall numbers are poor, but the Sharks have been an entirely different team at home versus on the road. In their own arena, the Sharks have a 2.40 GAA and only allow 26.4 shots on net per contest. Meanwhile, the Coyotes have only managed 2.50 goals per game on the road.
CENTER
Eric Staal, MIN vs. CHI ($5,900): Staal isn't going to score 42 goals again, but he's got 36 points in 49 games, including nine in his last six outings. He's also averaged 2:39 per game with the extra man. In addition to having a 3.96 GAA on the road, the Blackhawks have the league's worst penalty kill. Oh, they are also playing their second game in as many nights.
Paul Stastny, VGK at FLA ($5,200): Stastny has a six-game point streak, and he's notched 12 points in his last 14 games. The Panthers have a 3.46 GAA as a team, and are playing their second game of a back-to-back. Plus, expected starter James Reimer has an .897 save percentage.
WING
Anders Lee, NYI vs. LOS ($6,200): Last season, Lee had 22 points with the extra man. This year, he's averaged 3:06 in power-play time and tallied 13 power-play points in 50 games. That's worth noting in this matchup, as the Kings have the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
Frank Vatrano, FLA vs. VGK ($5,000): Vatrano has suddenly taken his game to the next level, as he has 10 points in his last 11 games. That's helped him earn a spot on Florida's top line. The Golden Knights have been a different team on the road, and that includes Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury has a 2.86 GAA and .896 save percentage in away games, and Vegas is also on the second day of a back-to-back.
Anthony Mantha, DET at OTT ($4,900): Mantha has started 60.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third highest on the Red Wings. Additionally, since returning from injury, he's tallied six points in 10 games. The Senators have a 3.74 GAA and have given up 36.7 percent of shifts in the offensive zone. Both are worst in the league.
DEFENSE
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. DET ($5,900): We've sort of forgotten Chabot after his hot start – an injury didn't help – but he's got 39 points and 118 shots on goal in 43 games. He's also averaged 3:01 per game with the extra man, notching 12 power-play points. The Red Wings are another team on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and they have a 3.64 GAA in away games.
Colin Miller, VGK at FLA ($4,200): Since returning from a long injury absence, Miller has four points and eight shots on goal through four games. He's got 21 points in 32 games on the season, even though he's being hurt by 2.8 percent shooting. As previously noted, the Panthers, who are playing their second game in as many nights, have a 3.46 GAA.
