This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
We have a massive 14-game slate on Monday's docket. Only the Flames, Lightning and Red Wings are sitting out tonight, so there's a ton of action in store on the daily fantasy front.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, the Islanders (-265) are the largest favorite tonight with a matchup against the Sabres. The Bruins (-220), Blues (-240) and Avalanche (-245) are other notable heavyweights. The Flyers-Penguins game is the only matchup with a 6.5 O/U.
All advanced stats are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask, BOS at NJ ($8,200): Rask has recorded a 5-0-0 record with a .936 save percentage over his last six appearances, and he'll get the nod Monday. The Devils tore through the Flyers last week in spite of a lack of firepower -- they posted 1.96 xGF/60 over the last eight games, raking 25th in the league. Rask should be able to bring the Devils back to earth.
Juuse Saros, NSH at CLS ($8,100): Saros has won four of his last seven starts while putting up a .935 save percentage. In that span, he stopped more than 35 shots three times, reaching the DraftKings bonus in the process. The Blue Jackets don't shoot at a high volume (29 per game), but they aren't a major threat offensively, either, ranking last since April 18 with 1.14 G/60 at even strength.
Robin Lehner, VGK at MIN ($7,700): Lehner enjoyed an outstanding April with a .938 save percentage and a 6-1-1 record. It'll be his turn to start Monday, and Lehner is a strong option. The Wild have been showing some life lately, but they're converting more chances than normal. After all, they ranked 28th over the last two weeks with just 1.8 xGF/60 at even strength.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Martin Necas, CAR vs. CHI ($5,000): Necas has gone five straight games without a point, but we shouldn't be too concerned. He's a proven winger with 37 points through 48 games with 11 of those points coming with the man advantage. This matchup against the Blackhawks is intriguing, too, as they've allowed 28 goals over the last six games. Buy the dip.
Craig Smith, BOS at NJ ($4,500): Smith posted a hat trick against the Sabres on Saturday, bringing his total to 13 goals in his first season with the Bruins. The 31-year-old is getting plenty of opportunities with his new team, as he mans the second line and the second power-play unit. His high shot volume provides a solid fantasy floor, and a meeting with the inconsistent Devils should bring his ceiling up.
Clayton Keller, ARI vs. LA ($4,300): Keller doesn't light it up, but he's been quite consistent lately with five points and 18 shots on net across the last eight games. That's what we're looking for at this salary range, and combined with a matchup against the Kings -- they've given up at least four goals in three of the last six games -- he's a strong play.
LINE STACKS
Avalanche at Sharks
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $9,000), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $7,300), Mikko Rantanen (W - $8,300)
Over the last six games, this line has combined for seven goals and 14 assists even though Rantanen missed four of those contests. They're a force to be reckoned with as they aim for the No. 1 spot in the Western Division, and the Sharks aren't a viable opposition. Martin Jones would be the No. 2 goaltender on most teams, as he's recorded an .898 save percentage and a 3.22 GAA this season.
Penguins at Flyers
Sidney Crosby (C - $7,000), Jake Guentzel (W - $6,700), Bryan Rust (W - $6,200)
With Carter Hart (knee) done for the year, either Brian Elliott or Alex Lyon will start in the blue paint for the Flyers. Neither of those netminders have played well lately. Lyon is the projected starter because these two teams will have a rematch Tuesday, and he's recorded an .848 save percentage through four appearances this season. Crosby failed to score in the last three games, but he's still accrued 20 goals and 36 assists through 51 contests this year. And when he's rolling, he's taking his linemates with him.
Hurricanes vs. Blackhawks
Sebastian Aho (C - $7,100), Teuvo Teravainen (W - $5,100), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $5,800)
The Blackhawks are giving up goals at a similar rate to the Flyers, but this is mostly attributed to their defense that ranks 30th over the last two weeks with 2.9 xGA/60 at even strength. Teravainen has recorded three points over three games since returning from injury; Aho has provided six points and Svechnikov has notched five points in that stretch. Their price tag is a steep value Monday, too.
DEFENSEMEN
Jakob Chychrun, ARI vs. LA ($7,000): Chychrun should probably be getting some Norris Trophy love, although it's still a two-man race between Victor Hedman and Adam Fox. However, Chychrun's up to 16 goals and 21 assists this year, and he's fired at least five shots on net in five of his last six games. Even at the price tag, Chychrun carries a high floor against the faulty Kings.
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA vs. DAL ($5,000): Weegar is legit, and it's time to jump on the bandwagon. He registered seven points over the last five games, and his willingness to shoot and block shots makes him a strong fantasy option regardless of the matchup. But this is a solid matchup, as the Stars have given up 2.46 G/60 at even strength over the last eight games -- 17th in the league.
Cam Fowler, ANH at STL ($3,700): Fowler is getting hot at the end of the year with five points over the last six games. All of those points were at even strength, but he should have a strong opportunity on the power play, as the Blues' penalty kill ranks 28th in the league at 75.8 percent.
Mike Reilly, BOS at NJ ($3,400): Reilly has contributed six assists -- all at even strength -- across 11 games with the Bruins. We'd like to see him pile up some power-play points, and he'll certainly get a chance soon enough, as he's on PP1 with David Pastrnak, Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron. Against the Devils' last-ranked PK (70.4 percent), Reilly's an intriguing value tonight.
