This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
This is becoming an unfortunate regularity. When Sunday began, there were four NHL games scheduled for Monday. I had my DFS recommendations all lined up. Then, two more games got postponed. All cross-border games have been postponed through the holiday break.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are no teams on a back-to-back Monday, at least not anymore. The two games taking place are Buffalo vs. Columbus and Dallas vs. Minnesota.
GOALIE
Cam Talbot, MIN at DAL ($7,600): Talbot had a rough game on the road against the Golden Knights, but even with that he has a 2.37 GA and .935 save percentage over his last 10 starts. Meanwhile, the Stars have averaged a mere 2.64 goals and 29.9 shots on net per contest.
VALUE PLAYS
Tage Thompson, BUF vs. CLM ($5,400): Thompson has 10 goals in 30 games, and while he hasn't lit the lamp in a bit it's not for a lack of trying. He's put 35 shots on net in his 10 goalless games. The Blue Jackets allow 34.8 shots on goal per contest, and they also have a 3.36 GAA. Maybe one of Thompson's shots will find the back of the net this time.
LINE STACK TO CONSIDER
Blue Jackets at Sabres: Cole Sillinger (C - $2,700), Oliver Bjorkstrand (W - $5,400), Alexandre Texier (W - $2,600)
This is not one of the pricier line stacks you are going to see, but that could make for a good opportunity. These three currently make up Columbus' top line due to various absences. They are also all on the top power-play unit. The Sabres have a 3.43 GAA and have allowed 34.1 shots on net per game. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonnen has played well this season, but he's only made five appearances. Last year he had a 3.87 GAA and .906 save percentage in four appearances, so I'm not buying in just yet.
Sillinger is an 18-year-old who was just drafted 12th in 2021. Now, he's a first-line center. He's done a respectable job, as he has 11 points in 28 games even though he started the year down the depth chart. Bjorkstrand has 23 points in 28 games after having 44 in 56 games last season. Texier may be finally having his expected breakout season, and he has six points in his last six games.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM at BUF ($6,800): Werenski is carrying a lot of the offensive load for the Jackets. He has 19 points from the blue line and has put 88 shots on net in 28 games. The Michigan-born defenseman has also averaged 3:02 with the extra man. He's coming off a game where he had an assist and eight shots on net, and why wouldn't he be able to replicate that against a Sabres team with a 3.43 GAA allowing 34.1 shots on net per contest?
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF vs. CLM ($4,800): Dahlin is rebounding from a tough campaign last season, and it's important to remember he's still only 21. The Swede has 18 points in 30 games, including seven on the power play. He's also been shooting a lot recently, with 21 shots on net in his last six contests. Meanwhile, Elvis Merzlikins has allowed at least four goals in five of his last six starts.
