This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Monday's action kicks off with a key matchup between the Canadiens and Flames (6:30 p.m. EDT). The Habs hold down the fourth spot in the North but they're 3-7-0 in their last 10, and if the Flames win, they can close the gap two just two points. The Canucks will visit the Senators (7 p.m.) in their second-last meeting of the season as they inch closer to a potential playoff berth.
Hurricanes at Stars (7:30 p.m.) and Panthers at Predators (8 p.m.) are also games to watch as the Canes and Panthers fight for the division lead while the Stars and Predators chase the final playoff spot. Going forward, the Central will likely feature the toughest races down the stretch.
GOALIES
Juuse Saros, NSH vs. FLA ($7,600): The one that scares me about the Panthers is their offense, but otherwise I like the slight discount for Saros compared to Sergei Bobrovsky ($7,700). Saros' .938 Sv% in three games against the Panthers gives him the clear statistical edge even though the matchup should be very close.
Braden Holtby, VAN at OTT ($7,100): In a usual rotation, Thatcher Demko may get the start but clearly Holtby has the hot hand and the Canucks should go with him as they continue their playoff chase. Since returning from COVId, Holtby has won three straight and the Canucks have lost just once to the Sens this season.
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. COL ($7,300): Ryan O'Reilly powered the Blues to a win last game, and while it's probably not a good idea to count on him every game, I do think betting against Devan Dubnyk is generally a good idea. The Avs offense is frightening but as long as Binnington can keep the Blues in the game, they should have a chance. Though the Blues have been surprisingly awful at home, Binnington's splits are slightly better at home.
Cal Petersen, LA vs. ANH ($6,900): The Kings have beaten the Ducks by a combined 9-2 score in their past two games, and the gap between the two teams is pretty good even though they're seventh and eighth, respectively, in the division. Petersen has generally fared better against better teams – talk about rising to the occasion – but the good news is the Ducks' 105 goals for is by far the lowest in the division.
VALUE PLAYS
Josh Norris, OTT vs. VAN ($4,500): I like Norris' offensive upside and the speed on his line has been trouble for the Canucks in the past. On home ice, the Sens will dictate the lineup matches so that gives Norris a chance to perhaps face easier defensive matchups, especially in the offensive zone.
Nikita Gusev, FLA at NSH ($3,600): Whatever deficiencies there are in Gusev's defensive game are slightly nullified by the presence of Aleksander Barkov, who is both their best all-round player. Since joining the Panthers, Gusev has scored three assists in six games playing on the top line and second PP unit.
Michael Bunting, ARI at SJ ($3,300): Bunting hasn't scored in three games, which seems like a pretty quite stretch for him since getting called up. He's slated to play on the first line and top power-play unit with top playmaker Nick Schmaltz. No one's betting on the Sharks to shut out the Coyotes.
Steven Lorentz, CAR at DAL ($3,200): Lorentz collected an assist last game and lines up on the first line at even strength, but he doesn't get first-line minutes. That's the drawback, but otherwise he's being put in a pretty good situation playing alongside Sebastian Aho.
Alexander Volkov, ANH at LA ($3,200): Volkov has generally been good since moving from Tampa, and another assist in his last game gives him six points in 11 games as a Duck. The Kings may be the better team but at various points this season they've also bled a lot of shots and goals. Volkov's in a pretty good spot with Ryan Getzlaf in the middle and budding goal scorer Troy Terry on the opposite wing.
LINE STACKS
Avalanche at Blues
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $9,100), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $6,800), Andre Burakovsky (W - $4,400)
Burakovsky pitched in with two assists last game and that's a very good sign because he's the weakest link in this line stack. However, as long as he's producing, he's an excellent value play on his own. The Blues may pull off the win but their goaltending hasn't been reliable all season.
Canucks at Senators
Bo Horvat (C - $6,000), Tanner Pearson (W - $4,600), Brock Boeser (W - $7,200)
This is a good value stack because Horvat usually plays a lot of minutes, and without Elias Pettersson, Brock Boeser is their best shooter on the power play. Pearson has also stepped up his offense with three goals in his past three games. The Sens may be without incumbent starter Matt Murray, who left Saturday's game with an apparent injury and did not return.
DEFENSEMEN
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at DAL ($6,800): Hamilton's averaging more than a fantasy point than the next closest defenseman not named Cale Makar. He scored two goals on five shots last game against the Panthers and even though the Stars' defense may be stingy, he's still averaging four shots a game against them.
Cale Makar, COL at STL ($5,800): Makar's point streak was extended to five games after scoring three points last game against the Blues. Considering his offensive upside, he's a bargain every night at this salary.
Jakob Chychrun, ARI at SJ ($5,200): Chychrun's fantasy floor is very high because he's so consistent in generating shots on offense, and the Sharks are a good matchup because they're terrible on defense and in net. The Yotes have struggled lately losing seven of their past nine games but that hasn't really stopped Chychrun's effectiveness.
