This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
And…we're back! I hope you enjoyed the NHL's All-Star weekend. It had its charms. Now, the regular season resumes Monday. To try and get you back in the swing of things, I have some recommendations for your DFS lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
The NHL is easing back into action. There are only two games on the slate. We have the Maple Leafs hosting the Hurricanes and the Senators hosting the Devils. Yeah, those are two very different matchups. Oh, and none of these teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back, obviously.
GOALIE
Anton Forsberg, OTT vs. NJD ($7,600): This is a tricky day for goalies. The Maple Leafs and Hurricanes have two All-Star goalies, but those teams are both top five in goals per game. Meanwhile, the Senators and Devils rank 22nd and 21st in goals per contest respectively, but their goaltending has been iffy. That being said, while Forsberg has a 3.02 GAA and .909 save percentage on the season, over his last 10 games he has a 2.26 GAA and .923 save percentage.
VALUE PLAYS
Jesper Bratt, NJD at OTT ($4,400): Bratt has tallied 41 points in 42 games. He's also put 113 shots on net. While Forsberg has been playing better, the Senators have allowed 33.3 shots on goal per contest. At the very least, Bratt should be able to put some pucks on net.
Seth Jarvis, CAR at TOR ($3,600): The rookie Jarvis has gotten a chance to skate with Sebastian Aho on the top line recently. Additionally, he's started 63.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Hurricanes. Jack Campbell was an All-Star, but he scuffled a bit before the break. Over his last seven games he has a 3.97 GAA and .872 save percentage.
LINE STACK TO CONSIDER
Senators vs. Devils: Tim Stutzle (C - $4,900), Brady Tkachuk (W - $6,300), Connor Brown (W - $3,200)
The Senators have a fairly promising top line here, including their lone All-Star in Tkachuk. Meanwhile, New Jersey has the fourth-highest GAA at 3.53. Mackenzie Blackwood has been out, but even if he can return he has an .894 save percentage. Then again, Jon Gillies has been serving as the starter in his absence, and Gillies also has an .894 save percentage. Either way, it looks good for Ottawa.
Stutzle has tallied 21 points in 39 games, including nine points with the extra man. He's averaged 3:10 per contest on the power play, which really boosts his fantasy upside. Tkachuk has always had lower shooting percentages, but he seems to favor quantity over quality. He's put 132 shots on net in 37 games, and has notched 12 goals to go with 18 assists. Brown has been out of the lineup with a jaw injury, but he's returning in this game. Prior to getting hurt he notched 19 points in 26 outings.
DEFENSE
Damon Severson, NJD at OTT ($4,800): Dougie Hamilton is known for putting pucks on net, but while he's been out Severson has stepped up. He's tallied 96 shots on goal in 43 games. The defenseman has also put up 12 points in his last 13 contests. I mentioned the shots, because the Senators have allowed 33.3 shots on net per game.
Erik Brannstrom, OTT vs. NJD ($2,500): Brannstrom showed his potential last season when he had 13 points in 30 games. He's only played in 11 games this year, but he's currently paired with Thomas Chabot as the top defensive duo, and he's also on the second power-play unit as well. Over his last six games he's averaged 22:14 in ice time. Now he gets to face the Devils and their 3.53 GAA.
