This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Even with three postponed games Saturday, we have a busy day in the NHL. There are 10 games taking place that start at 7 p.m. EDT or later, which doesn't include the 2 p.m. EDT start between the Stars and the Penguins that I am not looking at for DFS purposes. It's all about the night slate, so let's get to it.
SLATE PREVIEW
The four games that have been postponed are Canadiens-Sabres, Jets-Kraken, Oilers-Islanders, and Canucks-Senators. That last one was a late postponement, and it stung because I was going to go heavy on Canucks. Two teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back Saturday. One is the Hurricanes, who are at home for their two-game stand. However, they will be facing the Panthers, who are second in the league in goals per contest. The other team is the Capitals, who are in Minnesota after being in St. Louis on Friday.
GOALIE
Juuse Saros, NAS at ARI ($8,500): After scoring six goals against the Blackhawks, the Coyotes are no longer last in goals per game. They have averaged all of 2.19 goals per contest now. That is, of course, still awful. Saros has a 2.22 GAA and .928 save percentage, so I expect a more typical outing from the Arizona offense Saturday.
Adin Hill, SAN at PHI ($7,700): James Reimer was struggling, and now he's banged up. That likely means Hill getting the start. This is a bit of a gamble, but if you want to save some salary you can go this route. He is coming off a game where he made 37 saves on 39 shots against the Sabres. This is more about the matchup, as the Flyers have averaged 2.59 goals per game and are dealing with COVID-19 protocol issues right now.
VALUE PLAYS
Jack Hughes, NJD at CLM ($6,600): Oh, so this is why Hughes was the first overall pick. Over his last five games he's tallied 12 points. He's also put 21 shots on net in that time. Quinn's brother just had three points against these same Jackets, and I can see that happening again. Columbus has a 3.56 GAA and have allowed 35.0 shots on net per contest.
Tomas Hertl, SAN at PHI ($6,500): Hertl has tallied at least one point in 10 of his last 11 games. He's also put 96 shots on net in 35 games. The Flyers have given up 34.7 shots on goal per contest, and the defense could be more porous than usual if they are shorthanded. Hertl should get plenty of chances to put pucks on net.
Adrian Kempe, LOS vs. DET ($4,800): Kempe has three goals in his last five games, giving him 14 goals in 34 contests. He's also put 100 shots on net, so he's likely going to fly past his career high on that front. The Wings have a 3.35 GAA , and over his last eight starts Alex Nedeljkovic has an .896 save percentage.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Predators at Coyotes: Mikael Granlund (C - $5,200), Matt Duchene (W - $5,800), Filip Forsberg (W - $6,700)
The Coyotes are no longer last in the league in goals per game, but they are still last in GAA. Arizona has a 3.78 GAA. It is also in the bottom five on the penalty kill. All three of these guys are on the top power-play unit, which boosts their upside. Granlund is dishing out the assists. He has 26 helpers this season, including four in his last five games. Duchene has three power-play points in his last four games, giving him 11 points with the extra man this year. Forsberg has 18 goals in only 26 games this season, and he has 13 points in his last nine contests.
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. CHI ($5,500): Over his last seven games Theodore has seven points and 26 shots on net. This includes three power-play points, and he has eight overall this season. Marc-Andre Fleury seemed like he was turning it around, but he's on a downturn again. Over his last four games Fleury has a 3.94 GAA and .881 save percentage.
Damon Severson, NJD at CLM ($5,100): Severson has five points in his last four contests. Additionally, with Dougie Hamilton out he's been on the top power-play unit for the Devils. The Blue Jackets have a 3.56 GAA and with Elvis Merzlikins banged up they've been leaning on Joonas Korpisalo who has a 3.94 GAA and .885 save percentage.
