This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's a relatively busy Friday with seven games and the Hurricanes, Wild, Penguins, Lightning and Golden Knights all playing the second half of a back-to-back. Note that poor goaltending has become a theme with some of the better teams of late, including the Wild as they narrowly beat the Flyers and the Golden Knights as they fell to the Bruins.
GOALIES
Elvis Merzlikins, CBJ vs. LA ($7,400): There aren't many solid choices in net for Friday's slate - especially in the value categories - but Merzlikins is worth considering as the Kings have lost two straight with 11 goals against and the Blue Jackets' offense has been a strength since Patrik Laine's return. It could be a high-scoring game as LA's a strong road team.
Jake Oettinger, DAL at WPG ($7,800): The Stars are 6-4-1 on the road since Jan. 1 after going 4-9-1 the previous three months. It's a significant turnaround, and Oettinger is a big reason why. It'll be his eighth straight start with a chance to win his third in a row. He's 2-0-0 against the Jets this season with a .911 Sv%, though note it should be close as their three previous meetings all went past regulation.
Kaapo Kahkonen, MIN at BUF ($8,000): There's some upset potential here and Thursday featured a few surprises that will make DFS managers think twice. Not only will the Sabres have to contend with one of the league's best offenses, they'll have to make sure they get Craig Anderson sufficient goal support because he's been having trouble stringing two good games together all season. It might get ugly, but the Wild should be heavily favored.
VALUE PLAYS
Alexis Lafreniere, NYR vs. NJ ($4,500): Who knew playing Lafreniere with other talented forwards would produce results? The Rangers sophomore has potted three goals and four points over four games. The question with him was never really about talent – it was about logging bottom-six minutes on a playoff contender. Now that Laf's getting his chances, he's been one of the Rangers' most productive players and they should at least notch a few goals against the Devils' subpar goaltending.
Adam Henrique, ANH vs. VGK ($5,400): Henrique is riding a five-game point streak playing on the top line with Ryan Getzlaf and Troy Terry and the Golden Knights are expected to start backup Laurent Brossoit. The Ducks have registered 11 goals in three games against Vegas this season, with Henrique contributing two assists.
LINE STACKS
Sabres vs. Wild
Tage Thompson (C - $6,900), Alex Tuch (W - $7,200), Jeff Skinner (W - $6,200)
Just in case the Wild's goaltending implodes again, this is a sneaky line stack that most entries are unlikely to consider. Thompson has found the scoresheet across the last three and Tuch continues to play at a point-per-game pace. The Wild have also allowed three goals in nine (!) straight.
Devils at Rangers
Jack Hughes (C - $8,300), Yegor Sharangovich (W - $5,300), Dawson Mercer (C - $4,700)
Note Mercer is listed as a center, even though he plays right wing on this unit. Hughes is on an eight-game point streak and both Sharangovich and Mercer have pitched in. The only drawback would be facing expected starter Igor Shesterkin, who is arguable the NHL's best goalie.
DEFENSEMEN
Neal Pionk, WPG vs. DAL ($4,700): Pionk is expected to play after missing Thursday's skate. He's recorded five points in five games and consistently plays top-four minutes. The Jets' play has been wildly unpredictable, but they're generally strong at home and scoring goals hasn't really been a problem.
Calen Addison, MIN at BUF ($3,800): Addison's ice time is limited because he doesn't log a lot of even-strength minutes, but he offers some offensive upside and pitched in with an assist Thursday. He should receive plenty of scoring chances against the Sabres.
