This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Saturday is a big day in the NHL. There are 13 games on the slate. Now, that includes some early starts, which aren't included for DFS purposes. That being said, we have nine games starting at 7 p.m. EDT or later. You've got options, and I've got recommendations.
SLATE PREVIEW
The games that have been postponed are Canadiens-Devils and Flames-Golden Knights. With so many teams in action, it's also not surprising we have some back-to-back situations. Dallas and Anaheim are both on the second leg of a back-to-back, and the Avalanche and Coyotes are in Arizona finishing off a home-and-home situation. At least they are on equal footing. In terms of travel. Not offensive talent.
GOALIE
Darcy Kuemper, COL at ARI ($8,500): Kuemper's last two games have been tough, but this matchup is worth a shot. The Coyotes are 31st in goals per game and last in shots on net per game. Even though the Coyotes get to be at home for the second leg of this duo of matchups, Kuemper clearly has the easier matchup. He also has a much better chance of getting goal support, as the Avalanche are first in goals per contest.
Alex Nedeljkovic, DET vs. BUF ($8,200): I wanted to try and find a goalie at home worth recommending, and I have landed on Nedeljkovic. These teams are pretty evenly matched, as Detroit has averaged 2.63 goals per game, while Buffalo has averaged 2.61. Nedeljkovic is having to face a ton of shots, but he's mostly been up to it. He may have a 2.84 GAA, but he has a .916 save percentage. Plus, over his last four outings he has a .928 save percentage as well.
Jonathan Quick, LOS at SEA ($7,700): Quick's surprising rebound season has seen him post a 2.38 GAA and .921 save percentage. He's not really slowing down either, as he has a 2.39 GAA and .917 save percentage in 11 starts since the beginning of December. The Kings have only allowed 29.7 shots on goal per game, while the Kraken have managed a mere 28.1 shots on net per contest, so Quick may not be that busy.
VALUE PLAYS
Lucas Raymond, DET vs. BUF ($5,100): Raymond has started 55.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, most on the Red Wings. He's also been quite productive for a teenager, potting 30 points in 38 contests. The Sabres have had some brutal luck with goaltender health. Right now, their best option seems to be Aaron Dell, who has an .894 save percentage over the last four seasons.
Andre Burakovsky, COL at ARI ($4,600): Whether on Colorado's second line or stepping up to the top line while Gabriel Landeskog has been out with COVID-19 protocols, Burakovsky has produced. He has 29 points in 32 games, including 14 in his last 10 outings. The Coyotes are terrible offensively, but they are also last in the NHL in GAA.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Kings at Kraken: Anze Kopitar (C - $5,300), Alex Iafallo (W - $4,900), Adrian Kempe (W - $4,400)
Porous goaltending has led to the Kraken having a 3.67 GAA in spite of having only allowed 29.0 shots on net per contest. Philipp Grubauer has never found his footing, as over his last 10 games he has a 3.97 GAA and .863 save percentage. The netminding has been brutal, and the Kings' first line is poised to take advantage.
Kopitar's goal scoring had slowed down a bit, but he just notched two goals in his last outing. Overall, he has 33 points in 37 games, including 11 with the extra man. Iafallo has 10 goals and 12 assists in 35 games, even though he has a 9.8 shooting percentage. Over the previous three seasons he has an 11.0 shooting percentage, so he has some room for improvement. Kempe has a three-game point streak, and he's already tied his career high in goals with 16. He's averaged 18:16 in ice time – a career high by over a minute – and is shooting more than ever, so that doesn't feel fluky.
Lightning vs. Stars: Anthony Cirelli (C - $4,300), Steven Stamkos (W - $6,600), Alex Killorn (W - $4,600)
Were the Stars not on the road for the second leg of a back-to-back, I wouldn't be recommending stacking the Lightning's second line. However, that is the case. Not only that, Braden Holtby is currently out. Jake Oettinger started Friday against the Panthers, but got chased, leaving Anton Khudobin to step into the net. He came into the game with an .873 save percentage and proceeded to allow three goals on 22 shots. This is a messy situation, and that bodes well for Tampa.
Cirelli is playing the most in his career, averaging 19:54 in ice time and 2:13 with the extra man. He's potted goals in back-to-back games to give him 11 in 34 outings. Stamkos, well, he needs no introduction. He's playing at the peak of his power with 45 points in 38 games. Killorn has 12 points in his last 11 games, and all the talent around him has helped him pick up 24 assists.
DEFENSE
Moritz Seider, DET vs. BUF ($5,600): I've got two Red Wings rookies in my recommendations Saturday. Seider has been as impressive as Raymond, as he has 24 points and 71 shots on net in 38 contests. That includes 10 power-play points. The Sabres have allowed 34.0 shots on goal per game, and as I noted goaltending injuries have left Dell atop the depth chart.
Drew Doughty, LOS at SEA ($5,300): Doughty has only played in only 18 games, but he has 19 points. He's also averaged 3:27 in power-play time with eight points with the extra man. The Kraken have a bottom-10 penalty kill, and it is last in team save percentage.
Evan Bouchard, EDM vs. OTT ($4,900): Bouchard has enjoyed a breakout campaign with 19 points in 34 contests. It's helped that he's gone from averaging 14:50 in ice time to 21:28 in ice time. Additionally, the Senators have a 3.60 GAA and have allowed 33.7 shots on net per contest.
