This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Playoff races are heating up, and some divisions already look like they're decided. Nevertheless, eight games are on the docket Saturday night starting at 7 p.m. EDT. The Kings'Sharks and Blues-Wild are both on the second half of back-to-back matchups. Nashville will be playing tomorrow against the Stars after playing tonight versus the Lightning.
All advanced statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Jack Campbell, TOR vs. OTT ($8,400): Campbell is 10-0-0 with a .944 save percentage this season. He'll regress eventually, but there's no reason to think that's going to start tonight. After all, the Senators have averaged 2.2 goals over their last five contests, four of which were losses.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at NSH ($8,200): There's something to be said about fatigue in fantasy. Starting the same player over and over can get boring sometimes, but there's no reason to shy away from Vasilevskiy, even if he's endured back-to-back rough starts. The Predators rank 24th in the league over the last two weeks with 2.04 xGF/60, and their high shot volume raises Vasilevskiy's ceiling further.
Jacob Markstrom, CGY vs. EDM ($7,400): It's been a tough stretch for Markstrom, as he's lost six straight games with an .881 save percentage. However, he has contrarian appeal Saturday, and there's legitimate upside, too. Over the last two weeks, the Oilers rank last in the league with 1.42 xGF/60 at even strength, and they'll be without Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (upper body) again.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Kevin Labanc, SJ vs. LA ($4,400): Labanc is entrenched in the top six. He's put up four points over the past three games, and he's up to 24 points this season. The Kings have shown major vulnerability in their own zone lately, allowing a league-high 3.10 xG/60 at even strength over the last two weeks.
Pius Suter, CHI at CLS ($3,700): Suter was dethroned by Kirby Dach for the top-line center role. He's still getting power-play time, and he's centering averaging about 17 minutes per game. The 24-year-old has accrued 18 points this season, and the Blue Jackets' banged-up blue line makes him an intriguing play tonight.
Sammy Blais, STL vs. MIN ($2,500): Blais pocketed a goal and an assist in Friday's blowout win over the Wild. Saturday's matchup should be a bit tougher with Cam Talbot back in net, but Blais will stay on the top line next to Ryan O'Reilly and David Perron regardless.
LINE STACKS
Blackhawks at Blue Jackets
Kirby Dach (C - $4,000), Patrick Kane (W - $7,800), Alex DeBrincat (W - $7,400)
The Blue Jackets' defense has struggled immensely of late, allowing 19 goals over the last five games. Now, Zach Werenski (sports hernia) is out for the season, depleting their blue line even further, as David Savard will remain out until he's traded. With two high-end goal scorers at wing, the Blackhawks will look to capitalize against the faltering Blue Jackets.
Hurricanes vs. Red Wings
Vincent Trocheck (C - $7,300), Martin Necas (W - $5,400), Nino Niederreiter (W - $4,300)
Trocheck has been playing out of his mind lately with 12 points during his seven-game point streak. Necas and Niederreiter have combined for 54 points this season as well. This line is the Hurricanes' new identity, and they'll be key in making a President's Trophy run. The Red Wings have let in 20 goals over the last six games, providing no major barrier to their continued success.
Maple Leafs vs. Senators
John Tavares (C - $6,200), Alex Galchenyuk (W - $3,000), Ilya Mikheyev (W - $2,800)
Galchenyuk has seemingly reinvented his career with the Maple Leafs, drawing high praise from the coaching staff and teammates. He's found chemistry with the Tavares, and the two have recorded 3.27 xGF/60 while on the ice together. The Senators have given up at least three goals in six straight games, so look for this unit to keep rolling Saturday.
DEFENSEMEN
Dougie Hamilton, CAR vs. DET ($7,500): Hamilton remains red-hot with 20 points over the last 20 games, averaging 3.6 shots in the process. That provides a solid floor for his fantasy value, and a matchup against the Red Wings provides limitless upside.
Seth Jones, CLS at CHI ($5,300): Jones is going to handle significant minutes with Werenski out, and he's locked into the PP1 quarterback role. The 26-year-old has produced just six power-play points this season, but he has a long track record of success with the extra man, and the Blackhawks' PK (73.0 percent) is ranked 30th in the league.
Erik Karlsson, SJ vs. LA ($4,300): Karlsson has put up two goals and two helpers over the last five games, and just one of those points was on the power play, so the Kings' fourth-ranked PK (84.7 percent) isn't a major impediment. The Kings have endured some serious defensive woes lately, too, giving up 14 goals over the last four games.
Mike Reilly, OTT at TOR ($3,100): Reilly has collected eight assists -- two with the man advantage -- across the last eight games. He takes up major minutes on the blue line, and while the Maple Leafs are a tough foe with strong goaltending, the price tag makes it worth the gamble.