This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are four games in the NHL on Friday, and Dallas is the only club playing the second leg of a back-to-back set.
The Stars snuck out a 4-3 road win in overtime against Tampa Bay Thursday and enter Friday's contest with an active 5-1-1 record. It's been a season of high peaks and low valleys for Dallas, and while this is a potentially tough schedule spot, the Stars have only allowed 12 goals during the noted seven-game stretch. Florida, meanwhile, is struggling along a 4-7 run and own the second worst team save percentage at five-on-five in the league. So, there's no guarantee the Panthers capitalize on Dallas' potentially tough schedule spot.
While New Jersey has won consecutive games, a date with the Capitals projects to end the winning streak. Washington are sizeable favorites, sit atop the NHL Standings, have scored the third most goals per 60 minutes in the league and are on an active 8-2 stretch. Additionally, the Devils have scored the second fewest goals per hour since Nov. 1.
With the Eastern Conference playoff picture already competitive, the Maple Leafs take a two-game winning streak on the road to face the Rangers, who have lost two straight. New York has surrendered the most expected goals per hour by a wide margin, and Toronto is coming off a strong showing Tuesday and have scored an impressive 3.49 goals per 60 minutes with Sheldon Keefe calling the shots.
The Oilers are in the midst of a disappointing 3-7-1 stretch with a minus-15 goal differential. While superstars Connor McDavid ($7,700) and Leon Draisaitl ($6,800) have cooled off slightly, they've still combined for seven goals and 15 assists during the skid, which has left familiar issues rearing their ugly head again -- secondary scoring and poor team defense. This might not be a get-well matchup, either. The Penguins own an active 12-4-3 record with the second fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes during the run.
GOALIES
The price is steep, but Frederik Andersen ($8,000) has been excellent since Sheldon Keefe took over the Toronto bench. The Dane has won eight of 11 starts with a .932 save percentage and allowed two goals or fewer in seven of those appearances. Just note, while the Rangers have been wildly inconsistent, they've still scored the ninth most goals per hour since Nov. 1.
Ilya Samsonov ($8,000) has won three consecutive starts with a .936 save percentage and just five goals allowed. He's facing a weak New Jersey offense, and the Caps are significantly favored. It's probably safe not to over think this matchup.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Sooner than later, Auston Matthews ($7,400) is going to have a monster showing, and he's trending in the right direction after a dominant showing against Buffalo on Tuesday. Additionally, he has just two assists through his past 15 outings, which is an unsustainably low mark. The Rangers check out as a favorable opponent, too.
Mired in an awful offensive funk, Alex Ovechkin ($7,700) has missed the scoresheet in six of his past seven contests and recorded just a single goal and assist during the stretch. Obviously, he's eyeing statistical correction, and the basement-dwelling Devils are an ideal foe to help him break out of his current slump.
Jake Guentzel ($6,200) has piled up nine tallies, 13 helpers and six multi-point showings through his past 15 games, and he could fly slightly under the radar with all the stars in action Friday. He's locked into a go-to role, and as noted, the Oilers are in the midst of a rough stretch with 35 goals against through their past 10 contests.
It's been 14 games and 34 shots since Nikita Gusev's ($3,400) last goal, and while his eight assists and the respectable shot volume have buoyed his fantasy value, the Russian is too talented to score so infrequently. Additionally, there's a strong chance Gusev carries a low ownership percentage.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
While the Panthers lines are worth keeping an eye on because they've been in the blender lately, Aleksander Barkov ($6,400) and Jonathan Huberdeau ($5,600) are still a potential mini stack to consider. They've combined for a dominant 17 tallies and 35 helpers through the past 21 games to improve to an elite 5.82 goals per hour over the past two seasons. Dallas being on the second leg of a back-to-back set should also help.
While the numbers don't jump off the page, Evgeny Kuznetsov ($5,400), Jakub Vrana ($5,100) and T.J. Oshie ($5,000) have combined for 10 tallies and 19 helpers through the past nine games while scoring 4.52 goals per hour. With reasonable salaries, and the noted soft matchup, the trio is a potential secondary stack that provides coverage to both of Washington power-play units.
DEFENSEMEN
Despite missing the scoresheet in six of his past 11 outings, John Carlson ($7,200) has still collected nine points -- four goals -- during the stretch to showcase his contest-winning upside. The recent game-to-game inconsistency does make him a little risky at his price, but he's still on pace for a career year with a league-high 3.09 points per 60 minutes among regular defensemen. A date with the Devils presents the opportunity for a strong fantasy showing, too.
With the Rangers owning an underwhelming 77.5 penalty-kill percentage, look for Tyson Barrie ($4,700) and Toronto's No. 1 power-play unit to generate quality opportunities with the man advantage. The first-year Maple Leaf was particularly dangerous last time out with two assists and six shots, and his salary doesn't break the bank.
Considering Keith Yandle ($4,800) has marked the scoresheet in seven of his past nine outings for an impressive two tallies and nine helpers, it's surprising to see his salary in value territory. The veteran doesn't post huge numbers in the peripheral categories (67 shots and 33 blocks through 33 games), but he's locked in as the power-play quarterback on the No. 1 unit and ranks eighth among all regular defensemen in points per hour (1.95) over the past three years.
Adam Fox ($4,000) is having an excellent rookie season with five goals, 12 assists and 1.71 points per hour. He's also reached the shots or blocks bonus in six games and continues to see regular time on the power play. It's also worth noting that Toronto owns a 26th-ranked 76.2 penalty-kill percentage.
