This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
After a pretty successful win streak, the tides have turned rather sharply as of late. But with a close slate, I'll do my best to guide us all to the valley of green. Six games starting at 6 p.m. EST and no true standout favorites when looking at the matchups.
We also have a few teams on the second-half of a back-to-back tonight: Tampa Bay, Columbus, Chicago, New York Islanders and Toronto. The Blue Jackets sport the league's eight-worst goals against (3.19) hosting the Sharks while the Golden Knights will try to use their sixth-best offense (3.33) when they welcome the stingy Flames.
GOALIES
Carter Hart, PHI vs TB ($7,100): Hart is by no means the best goalie for today, but he could certainly become it. The Flyer netminder has lost four straight appearances with a mediocre 3.97 GAA and .877 save percentage during that time frame. Hart hosts the Lightning who are still injury-riddled and playing the second of consecutive nights. If ever there were a chance for him to rebound, it would be against his old backup Brian Elliott.
VALUE PLAYS
Morgan Frost, PHI vs TB ($3,400): Frost continues to be extremely undervalued. The second-line pivot now has four games under his belt this season and continues to skate alongside Flyers' top scorer Cam Atkinson and holds down the second power-play unit. Brian Elliott is by no means a stud in the net and the Lightning will be playing their second game in as many days. For bottom-of-the-barrel value, Frost is a steal.
Logan Couture, SJ at CBJ ($5,200): Couture is another center who's still too much of a bargain. The first-liner remains the Sharks' only consistent offensive threat and happens to team up with their best goal scorer in Timo Meier. In Couture's last five outings, he's posted a 0-4-4 line with nine shots. In what will be a fast-paced meeting with the Blue Jackets, this is a perfect spot for him to notch a point or two.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Jets vs Maple Leafs
Mark Scheifele (C - $6,500), Kyle Connor (W - $8,400), Blake Wheeler (W - $5,100)
The old trio is back together and many teams better be watching. They've shown time and time again they can become one of the league's most dynamic lines. In their first match reunited, they collectively compiled three goals, five assists and seven shots. Playing against a Leafs squad who just lost in a shootout to the Wild, this is a perfect time to pounce.
Golden Knights vs Flames
Chandler Stephenson (C - $5,500), Max Pacioretty (W - $8,500), Mark Stone (C - $7,500)
Many Vegas fans have been waiting for Patches and Stone to play at the same time again. Ever since Pacioretty made his return from injury, he's averaged four shots a night. He's also riding a six-game point streak that has produced a 5-4-9 line. Calgary may play a tight defensive game, but it will be rather hard to stop this line from doing damage.
DEFENSE
Neal Pionk, WPG vs TOR ($4,500): This couldn't be any better of a spot for Pionk. He's now back on the top power play and is going up against one of the league's most shot-happy teams. Not only will Pionk provide a well-balanced floor between his shots and shots blocked, but he also offers tremendous offensive upside.
Adam Boqvist, CBJ vs SJ ($4,100): Once prized as a top blueline prospect in Chicago, Boqvist has yet to pan out. However, he's starting to show some signs of life three goals, two assists, nine shots and four blocked shots over his last five appearances. Boqvist is also sharing the first-PP quarterbacking duties with Zach Werenski. With many high-salaried plays on the slate, it doesn't hurt to go with potential.
