This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
An early start means two games – Canadiens at Senators (1:00 p.m. EST) and Coyotes at Blues (3:00 p.m.) – are on the early slate while the remaining four games are on the main slate. The first two offer appealing matchups for the Habs and Blues, both of whom should be favored despite losing the first in their series.
For the later contests, look for more upset potential aside from the Canucks at Leafs (7:00 p.m.). There are two big rivalries, first between the Penguins and the Islanders (7:00 p.m.) - which usually devolves into a wrestling match - and then the Battle of Alberta between the Oilers and the Flames (10:00 p.m.)
All fancy stats courtesy Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Carey Price, MON at OTT ($8,500): Statistically speaking, Price hasn't been very good and we'll chalk up the loss to Ottawa as an abnormality. The Sens were due for a win and the Habs were due for an unlucky game. The rematch should go as we all envisioned – a potential blowout win for the Habs. Jake Allen should be just as solid a choice - if not better - since he's posted better numbers this year.
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. VAN ($8,100): This should be another easy one for the Leafs. As long as they keep the Canucks off the power play, they should dominate possession and outshoot a side that arguably rolls out the league's worst defense. Also, they have zero answers for Auston Matthews.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. PIT ($7,700): I always like the Isles' chances against the Pens. They tend to be close – their past three meetings have all gone to OT – and physical games. Including the playoffs, the Isles have won nine of their past 12 head-to-head, including only one loss in regulation. The Isles' tight defensive structure should win out against a banged-up Pens' lineup.
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. ARI ($7,600): The Blues won the Corsi battle the two previous contests, but managed to snag only one win because they started off poorly. They were trailing 3-0 for most of the game until a flurry of goals, otherwise the Blues should have the edge in every aspect of this matchup. The stubborn thinking is that they should prevail every time, and that any loss to the Coyotes is a surprise. It may be close, though as both games have been decided by just one goal.
VALUE PLAYS
Nick Schmaltz, ARI at STL ($4,700): Schmaltz isn't a particularly strong value play at this salary, but he's having a solid season with nine points, including four in his past three. On a team starved for offense, he gets to play a very big role even if his skill is not elite and the Blues PK ranks 27th at 71.1 percent.
Kasperi Kapanen, PIT at NYI ($4,400): Pens-Isles games tend to be high-scoring, and the bet is Kapanen can use his speed to at least generate some chances while playing alongside Evgeni Malkin. Kapanen's ice time has increased to 16 minutes per game after skating less than 14 in each of his first three outings.
Jordan Kyrou, STL vs. ARI ($4,300): I like what Kyrou brings every night and skates on the Blues' best scoring line as the shooter. That gives him a high fantasy floor, and the Coyotes' goalies have kept their opponent to two goals or fewer only three times this season.
Jesse Puljujärvi, EDM at CGY ($3,700): Playing with Connor McDavid will always give Puljujärvi some fantasy value. He doesn't really figure into their vaunted PP, but at even strength it looks like he's starting to create and bury some of his scoring chances. The Oilers scored eight goals in their last meeting and their offense has improved since.
Tim Stützle, OTT vs. MON ($3,400): A power-play goal last time out brings Stützle's goal streak to three games, so the young German wunderkind is worth selecting as long as he stays hot. He should be getting better as the season progresses, and for the most part his ice time has remained consistent. The upside is Stützle's role on the power play, especially since the PK is the one thing the Habs haven't been very good at this season as they rank 19th at 19.2 percent.
Maxime Comtois, ANH vs. SJ ($3,400): It just makes sense to pick at least one Duck because the Sharks are very kind when it comes to giving up goals. Comtois scored two goals last night, which is more than what the Ducks average per game. It's hard to pick who's actually Anaheim's best offensive player because they score so infrequently, but at least Comtois gets his shots and is fourth in that category on the team among fellow forwards.
LINE STACKS
Canadiens at Senators
Phillip Danault (C - $4,100), Brendan Gallagher (W - $7,100), Tomas Tatar (W - $5,800)
Danault has yet to score a goal, so it brings the total salary of this line stack down. But once again, this line has been dominant 5v5. Gallagher, Tatar and Danault rank 1-2-3 in CF% and 1-4-5 in xGF. They combined for four points last game and will also probably lead all of the Habs' lines in shots.
Maple Leafs vs. Canucks
Auston Matthews (C - $8,600), Mitch Marner (W - $7,900), Zach Hyman (W - $4,800)
The Canucks had no answer for this line – or any line, for that matter – and Matthews has been one of the league's hottest scorers with a six-game goal streak. He needed just 17 minutes to score twice on seven shots, and the Canucks' defense doesn't pose any challenge.
DEFENSEMEN
Thomas Chabot, OTT vs. MON ($5,000): I like Chabot's all-round ability, while the Sens aren't as bad as everyone thinks even though the win against the Habs was surprising. Chabot has picked up his play over the past five games, scoring four points and adding his usual smorgasbord of shots and blocked shots. That's a very high floor among defensemen in the early slate.
Rasmus Andersson, CGY vs. EDM ($4,500): The Flames PP is due. They went 0-for-10 against the Jets, but still rank 11th in the league and face an Oilers' PK that has been historically awful and continues to be poor. It's a higher-risk play because Andersson doesn't shoot very much and hasn't scored a point in four games, but there's definitely some upside and possible return to the mean.
Pierre-Olivier Joseph, PIT at NYI ($3,700): If Kris Letang misses the game, expect Joseph to log big minutes again like the past two contests. He averaged over 25 minutes and registered three assists, six shots and two blocked shots. Joseph represents a solid value play because he does a little bit of everything.
