This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Due to American Thanksgiving, this is an atypical week for the NHL. However, that doesn't come into play Monday. There are six games starting at 7 p.m. EST or later, which is about what we'd normally expect. It's time to get into the matchups and the recommendations.
SLATE PREVIEW
There's only one team on a back-to-back Monday, and that's the Sabres at home. Also, it should be noted that at the moment the Senators are supposed to be visiting the Avalanche. However, there last few games have been postponed. Approach with caution, though it is a great matchup for Colorado on paper.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, CAR at SAN ($8,000): Andersen has been great in net to the tune of a .937 save percentage, which has definitely helped him post an 1.88 GAA. He's also being helped by the fact the Hurricanes have only allowed 29.1 shots on goal per game, though. The Sharks, meanwhile, have only managed 28.2 shots on net per game, which is down in the bottom five in the league. Given those two facts, plus Andersen's performance, it all bodes well for the Dane.
Elvis Merzlikins, CLM at BUF ($7,700): Merzlikins has slowed down after a hot start, but he still has a 2.69 GAA and .918 save percentage. Part of the issue is that Columbus has allowed 33.8 shots on net per contest. That being said, Buffalo is down in the bottom 10 in shots on net per contest and is also on the second night of a back-to-back, so Merzlikins could be less busy than usual.
VALUE PLAYS
Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. VGK ($6,300): Tarasenko has seven goals in 17 games and still has arguably been a bit unlucky. His 9.9 shooting percentage is below his 12.5 career average. That speaks to the fact the Russian has put a whopping 71 shots on net already. The Golden Knights have allowed 33.8 shots on goal per game, which means Tarasenko should be busy.
Bryan Rust, PIT at WPG ($5,800): Rust doesn't have a goal since returning to the lineup, but he does have seven assists in eight games. Also, he's put 23 shots on net in those games, so the goals will come. That's especially true given that he's averaged 3:21 per game with the extra man. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he scored Monday, given that the Jets have the 31st-ranked penalty kill.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Avalanche vs. Senators: Mikko Rantanen (C - $8,500), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $7,600), Logan O'Connor (W - $4,300)
Assuming Ottawa is in action, this is a team with a 3.47 GAA that has also allowed 34.2 shots on net per game. They also have a bottom five penalty kill. Currently, Nathan MacKinnon is hurt, so Rantanen has moved to center. We have two guys from the typical top line, plus O'Connor, who has sort of won the lottery.
Rantanen has missed time this season as well, but he still has 12 points in 11 games. Landeskog has 14 points in 12 games, including 10 in his last seven outings. Then there's O'Connor, who hasn't looked out of place on the top line. He has five points in his last eight games, and also his 8.6 shooting percentage could easily improve.
Blue Jackets at Sabres: Boone Jenner (C - $5,800), Oliver Bjorkstrand (W - $7,100), Gustav Nyquist (W - $3,300)
As I mentioned, the Sabres are the only team on a back-to-back Monday. Additionally, with Craig Anderson out they are using the duo of Dustin Tokarski and Aaron Dell in net. Neither goalie has played well this season (both have GAAs over 3.00), and their career numbers make that far from a surprise. I feel like Buffalo's defensive numbers are going to drop as this year goes along, and I really like Columbus' top line on the road here.
Jenner has nine goals through 15 games. Sure, his 18.8 shooting percentage will likely regress, but I still like the fact he's put 48 shots on goal already. Bjorkstrand has twice been a 20-goal scorer, and he has 17 points in 15 contests. That includes six points with the extra man. Nyquist hasn't been as productive, but he does have five points in his last seven games, so maybe he's heating up.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM at BUF ($7,100): Werenski has arguably been the best offensive player in the NHL. A four-game point streak has given him 12 points. On top of that, he leads the Jackets with 54 shots on net. Buffalo has questionable goaltending, a defense that ranks in the bottom 10 in shots on net allowed per game, and is on a back-to-back.
Samuel Girard, COL vs. OTT ($4,100): Girard has nine points in 12 games. Granted, that includes one four-point outing, but he's shown he can score in the past. He had 32 points in only 48 games last year. Ottawa has not shown it can do much defensively, given its 3.47 GAA.
