This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Now that we're a week into 2022, things are starting to settle down. That makes it easier to pay attention to things like the NHL schedule. Today's a busy one, even without looking at the 2 p.m. ET start between the Penguins and Stars. There are 10 games tonight beginning at 7 p.m. ET or later. Here are a few recommendations from me to try and boost your DFS chances.
SLATE PREVIEW
Four of the bottom-six teams in GAA were supposed to play, but all were postponed. We're talking the Kraken, Senators, Canadiens, and Sabres. Don't worry, there are still plenty of matchups to target. There are two teams on the second half of a back-to-back, with the Caps on the road again while the Canes at least get to be at home for both.
GOALIE
Juuse Saros, NAS at ARI ($8,200): OK, so the Coyotes are no longer last in goals per contest and are all the way up to 31st with a 2.19 mark. However, they're still the worst at 26.4 shots on net. Saros has been great all year, but has been even hotter recently going 7-1-0 in his last eight starts with an 1.87 GAA and .945 save percentage.
Robin Lehner, VGK vs. CHI ($8,000): It's a Lehner revenge game! Alright, maybe he only logged 33 games with the Blackhawks, but I like this matchup even though he's been iffy this season considered the opponent has only averaged 2.29 goals and 28.3 shots. Getting Chicago at home is favorable for any goalie, regardless whether or not they used to play in the Windy City.
VALUE PLAYS
Mikael Granlund, NAS at ARI ($5,300): Granlund is dishing out the assists with 26 this season. He now has Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene both healthy on his wings, which can only help. The Coyotes have risen out of the basement in goals per game, but they are still last with a 3.79 GAA.
Jakub Voracek, CLM vs. NJD ($4,700): Nobody has had as much bad puck luck as Voracek this season and it's rare to see a forward with an 1.8 shooting percentage. While the Czech has never been Alex DeBrincat on that front, his career mark is 9.0. Still, Voracek has managed 22 assists. Meanwhile, Mackenzie Blackwood enters with a 3.20 GAA and .899 save percentage after a .902 last year.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Sharks at Flyers: Tomas Hertl (C - $6,700), Timo Meier (W - $9,900), Alexander Barabanov (W - $4,700)
The Flyers have struggled to a 3.32 GAA, which ranks bottom-10. However, it has taken some solid goaltending to even get them to that point, as they've allowed 34.7 shots per contest. However, performance has dipped with Carter Hart allowing nine goals across two starts since returning from COVID-19 protocols. San Jose is catching Philly at a good time from its perspective.
Hertl has posted a point in 10 of his last 11 outings with 15 combined during that stretch. Meier is leading the Sharks in scoring with 36 and shots with 120. Getting moved up to the Sharks' top line has really benefited Barabanov with five points from five contests.
Devils at Blue Jackets: Jack Hughes (C - $8,100), Jesper Bratt (W - $6,400), Tomas Tatar (W - $4,700)
The Blue Jackets have given up an average of 35.0 shots, which is highest in the NHL. That hasn't made it easy on their netminders, who haven't been up to the task. Elvis Merzlikins produced a 4.56 GAA and .871 save percentage in nine games before being sidelined with a lower-body injury. Joonas Korpisalo has also struggled with a 3.94 GAA and .885 save percentage. The Blue Jackets now face Jersey's top line, led by a red-hot center who's showing why he was drafted first overall.
That would be Hughes, of course. He's riding a five-game point streak where he's racked up 12, including three in three different outings. Bratt's career high in points is 35, and he's already at 32. And don't chalk it up to puck luck as he's only managed a 10.8 shooting percentage. Tatar returned to the ice, was thrown on the top unit, and has produced three points across two appearances.
DEFENSE
Alex Pietrangelo, VGK vs. CHI ($6,700): Pietrangelo was hot before missing a couple games with 10 points in 10 games. But in four since returning, he's recorded 15 shots on goal and seven blocked shots, so he's still staying active. The former Blue is catching the Blackhawks – and specifically Marc-Andre Fleury – at a favorable time. Over his last six starts, the reigning Vezina winner has posted a 3.47 GAA and .892 save percentage.
Brent Burns, SAN at PHI ($6,300): As I mentioned, the Flyers have allowed 34.7 shots. Burns doesn't shoot as often as he used to, but he's still one of the first names I think of when it comes to D-men putting pucks on goal. And as the stats will show, Burns has notched 91 shots to go along with 16 assists.
Ryan Graves, NJD at CLM ($5,100): Maybe Graves is trying to pick up the slack for the injured Dougie Hamilton with 10 shots on goal from the last two contests. Overall, he's managed 12 points in 30 games. Directing pucks on net isn't difficult against the Blue Jackets considering they've averaged the aforementioned league-high of 35.0 shots against.
