This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The featured contests at DraftKings are comprised of the nine evening games beginning at 7 p.m. EST. The Devils are the only team playing for the second consecutive night, and there are a number of games projected to be close contests. Here's a quick-hit primer to set the stage and assist with your lineup assembly.
Notable favorites from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Canadiens
Penguins
Coyotes
Blues
Potential high-scoring games:
Capitals-Lightning
Bruins-Panthers
Maple Leafs-Oilers
Canucks-Sharks
GOALIES
The Penguins have been stingy all season with the second fewest expected goals against per hour, and Los Angeles is 3-12-1 with just 1.98 goals per hour on the road this season, so the matchup checks out favorably for Matt Murray ($8,400) or Tristan Jarry ($8,400). In fact, it seems like the perfect setup for Murray to rebound in. After a miserable six-game stretch in which he posted an .852 save percentage and 3.99 GAA, the 25-year-old bounced back with a win last time out. Jarry's .941 save percentage and 1.75 GAA for the campaign solidify his mention and recommendation if he receives the starting nod.
Just slightly cheaper, Darcy Kuemper ($8,300) will be a significant favorite against the Devils and he boasts a high-end .924 save percentage and 2.33 GAA through 87 appearances with Arizona, including .937 and 1.99 marks at home this season.
Another high-priced target is Carey Price ($8,100). The veteran has turned his season around of late with three consecutive wins and a .954 save percentage, and the Red Wings have scored the fewest goals per 60 minutes in the league since Nov. 1 while going 4-12-2.
This is a reasonable price point to take a flyer on Frederik Andersen ($7,400). He's gone 6-3 with a rock-solid .930 save percentage and 2.14 GAA. However, he's also blown up twice during the stretch and allowed nine combined goals in those outings. Still, the risk is built into his salary.
Less expensive yet, Jonathan Quick ($7,000) has won consecutive games and stopped 65 of 67 points in the process. The Penguins have also only scored 16 goals through their past seven contests, and the RotoWire Lineup Optimizer is bullish on Quick. It'll be especially important to keep an eye on Evgeni Malkin's ($8,100) status after he missed Thursday's game with an illness.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
With Boston mired in a four-game losing streak, there are a number of secondary scorers priced for profit. Additionally, the Panthers have surrendered 3.2 goals per 60 minutes this season, so the matchup should be favorable, especially with Florida's top defenders looking to slow down Boston's top line. David Krejci ($4,600), Charlie Coyle ($4,500), Jake DeBrusk ($4,600) and Danton Heinen ($4,100) are too talented to have combined for just one goal and one assist over the past five games - and both points were DeBrusk's.
Even in a potentially tough matchup against Washington, Anthony Cirelli ($4,400) jumps out at this price point. He's recorded five goals, nine assists and 29 shots while averaging a hefty 19:21 of ice time per contest, and he's also skating on an intriguing even-strength line with Steven Stamkos ($6,500) and Alex Killorn ($4,500).
The Canucks are 3-5 with 3.84 goals against per hour - second most in the league - through their past eight road outings, and Kevin Labanc ($4,300) is beginning to produce more consistently with a goal and three assists through his past five outings. Additionally, after recording an impressive 6.28 points per 60 minutes with the man advantage last year, his current 2.48 promises oodles of positive regression ahead.
Projected to continue skating with Auston Matthews ($7,700) and William Nylander ($5,100) at even strength, Kasperi Kapanen ($3,300) comes in as an intriguing value. The trio attempted 12 shots and owned a 72.7 percent shot share during Thursday's loss, and their skill-speed combo should continue to enable them to create scoring chances. The Oilers have also surrendered 3.37 goals per 60 minutes over their past 20 games, which is second-worst in the league.
A three-point showing Thursday against Winnipeg has Filip Zadina ($3,000) up to a goal and five assists through his past five outings. The rookie owns a high-end shooting arsenal and checks out as an against-the-grain flyer. He's being positioned for success with an average of 3:26 of power-play time per game during the noted stretch and has started 60.0 percent of his five-on-five shifts in the offensive zone.
After recording nine tallies and six helpers through 16 AHL games, Jordan Kyrou ($2,600) has gone pointless through his first two games with the Blues. However, he's recorded a 62.5 Corsi For percentage at even strength and is projected to continue skating on the No. 1 line and receiving power-play look with the second unit.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Toronto's John Tavares ($7,000), Mitch Marner ($6,200) and Zach Hyman ($4,100) have clicked for a respectable 4.39 goals and 14.67 high-danger scoring chances per hour at even strength over the past two seasons, including an impressive 6.94 goals this season. Additionally, they've combined for eight tallies and seven helpers over the previous four contests. As noted, the Oilers have also experienced notable defensive shortcomings of late.
Dating back to last season, Montreal's top line has dominated possession with a 60.7 Corsi For percentage and scored a respectable 3.84 goals per hour at even strength. So, with Detroit 4-14-2 and allowing the most goals per 60 minutes in the league since the beginning of November, Montreal's top line of Phillip Danault ($5,300), Brendan Gallagher ($6,700) and Tomas Tatar ($5,800) should have opportunities to score.
With New Jersey playing its second road game in as many nights and allowing 3.77 goals per hour in away games, Arizona is in a favorable schedule spot. Their new-look line of Christian Dvorak ($3,900), Christian Fischer ($2,500) and Nick Schmaltz ($3,800) have only shared the ice for 30:43 at even strength, but the trio has also combined for a respectable 3.9 goals and 15.62 high-danger scoring chances while driving possession with a 59.3 Corsi For percentage.
The Oilers are projected to keep Connor McDavid ($8,500), Leon Draisaitl ($7,700) and Zack Kassian ($4,000) together for Saturday's tilt against Toronto, and the trio have shown well this season with 4.44 goals per hour at even strength. Kassian's salary helps mitigate the high prices of the top two scorers in the league, and Toronto may be in a potentially vulnerable schedule spot playing the final leg of a four-game road trip.
DEFENSEMEN
Victor Hedman ($6,200) offers the high-floor, high-ceiling profile to spend up for. He's producing at a career-high 2.65 points per hour this season, and the power-play quarterback already has notched an impressive 16 points with the man advantage. The Capitals own an excellent 85.3 penalty-kill percentage, but they also have been shorthanded the third most times in the league.
Two of the most consistent offensive defensemen in the league face each other Saturday, and both Torey Krug ($5,100) and Keith Yandle ($5,000) fall into value territory. They rank first and eighth in points per 60 minutes over the past three years, with both quarterbacking their team's No. 1 power-play unit.
A mini offensive surge has Drew Doughty ($4,700) up to four points - including one goal - through his past four contests, and the veteran still moves the needle in the peripheral categories with 77 shots and 52 blocks for the year. Add his huge role - 25:46 of ice time per game with 3:37 on the power play - and Doughty's salary stands out as a value, albeit it in a potentially low-scoring game against the defensively responsible Pens.
Through six outings since a three-game trip to the press box, Shayne Gostisbehere ($4,100) has recorded a respectable three tallies and an assist and posting double-digit DraftKings points in three of those showings. His risk is mitigated by his low salary, and the power-play quarterback still offers the highlighted upside.
The Devils' struggles have been outlined, so this should be a ripe matchup for Oliver Ekman-Larsson ($3,900) to snap out of his current offensive lull of just two assists through 14 outings. He's topped 40 points in five of the past six seasons with the outlier in 2016-17 when he marked the scoresheet 39 times. Additionally, his three power-play helpers are uncharacteristically low. He's a breakout candidate with a manageable salary Saturday.
After registering seven points through an eight-game stretch, Mikhail Sergachev ($3,600) has missed the scoresheet in each of his past four outings. The 21-year-old Russian 's 1.71 points per hour don't align with his low salary, and he's also locked into an offensive role with an average of 2:00 of power-play time per outing and 58.3 percent of his five-on-five shifts beginning in the offensive zone.
A cheap addition to a Toronto stack, Travis Dermott ($2,500) passes the eye test most nights and should be scarcely owned despite his contest-minimum salary. Similarly, Trevor Daley ($2,700) is projected to quarterback Detroit's No. 1 power-play unit against Montreal's 28th-ranked penalty kill.
