This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's a busy 10-game night with a few matchups that could potentially be very lopsided. This kind of thinking can get you into trouble, as it did for the Lightning last time when the Senators beat them 4-0 in one of the bigger upsets of the season. But it's unlikely the Lightning will lose twice like that, especially since they're expected to start Andrei Vasilevskiy instead of Brian Elliott this time around.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. OTT ($8,600): The only worry is the Sens' top line, which has been one of the best in the league, and losing the previous matchup was partially due to Brian Elliott stopping just 19 of 22 shots. Vasilevskiy's career numbers against the Sens are not encouraging – .895 Sv% and 3.24 GAA – but he's been excellent this season and if the Lightning can limit shots like they did last time, they should have no problems getting the win.
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA vs. LA ($8,400): The Kings are a tough out because their goaltending has been quite good and just narrowly lost to the Lightning in overtime on Tuesday, but the Panthers should have enough offensive depth to overcome the challenge. The Panthers were the second Goliath the Sens had slayed recently in an 8-2 drubbing, so expect them to come out swinging after an embarrassing loss.
Carter Hart, PHI at MON ($8,200): There's definitely a premium on Hart even though the Flyers have struggled lately in spite of Hart's excellent work lately, winning two straight starts with four goals allowed. The Habs are missing half their lineup and have both the third-worst defense and third-worst offense in goals per game.
Ilya Sorokin, NYI vs. BOS ($8,000): It's like the homework's already done for Sorokin. Both Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron are expected to be out due to COVID, which means a Bruins offense that relied too often on their top line will not have two-thirds of their top line. It should be a close game; six of the Isles' past eight games have been decided by just one goal.
Cam Talbot, MIN vs. BUF ($8,000): Talbot allowed five goals against Vegas but it was the first time he allowed more than three goals in seven games, and the Wild are usually excellent at home. Talbot should be a popular pick for his reasonable salary and the odds are certainly in his favor.
Robin Lehner, VGK at NJ ($7,800): The Devils have lost seven of their past eight with 33 goals allowed, and they'll be facing off against the league's hottest scorer in Max Pacioretty. Lehner hasn't been sharp, but this is a matchup where he doesn't have to be good for the Knights to win. The Devils also won't have one of their top weapons in the lineup with captain Nico Hischier on injured reserve.
VALUE PLAYS
Martin Necas, CAR vs. DET ($5,400): It remains to be seen how COVID will affect the Canes' play, and without Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis, Necas is now playing on the second line with Andrei Svechnikov and Vincent Trocheck. Svechnikov would be their most talented forward, Trocheck is a high-volume shooter and Necas showed very well in their last game. There's first-line upside for a second-line price in Necas.
Anton Lundell, FLA vs. LA ($5,100): Sam Bennett was placed in COVID protocol and Aleksander Barkov's status is questionable, which means that Lundell could have an increased role. A few others, including Sam Reinhart, could move to center, but Lundell's been one of their most reliable pivots. His offense has gone quiet lately, but perhaps more minutes will lead to more offensive production.
Ross Colton, TB vs. OTT ($4,300): Colton skated on the top line with Steven Stamkos and Ondrej Palat on Wednesday, giving him a huge boost in fantasy value. Stamkos has been their most reliable scorer and Colton already has 10 points this season, including a three-assist performance against the Flyers in early December, indicating that he's got some offensive upside.
Vasily Podkolzin, VAN at SJ ($3,900): Podkolzin scored a goal in his last game and has become a fixture in the Canucks' lineup, now lining up opposite Conor Garland and Elias Pettersson, who is heating up with two goals in two games. Podkolzin adds additional upside playing on the power play with the same linemates. Note the Sharks have been quite good at limiting goals this season, and it remains to be seen how COVID will affect the Canucks after Tucker Poolman was pulled in-game and further testing was required before they flew down to San Jose.
LINE STACKS
Senators at Lightning
Josh Norris (C - $7,200), Drake Batherson (W - $7,800), Brady Tkachuk (W - $7,400)
The Lightning are rightfully favored, but if the Sens lose, it's usually because their defense and goaltending were atrocious. This might be an overlooked line stack given the optics of the two-time defending champs hosting a lottery-bound team, but their as good as any first line. This particular line has combined for 32 points in seven games since Batherson's return earlier in December.
Wild vs. Sabres
Ryan Hartman (C - $6,200), Kirill Kaprizov (W - $7,900), Mats Zuccarello (W - $6,400)
Hartman continues to be a bargain and Zuccarello has been held off the score sheet just once in December. The only challenge in this matchup might be Ukka-Pekka Luukkonen, the Sabres' rookie starter who has not allowed more than two goals in any game this season.
DEFENSEMEN
Quinn Hughes, VAN at SJ ($6,200): Hughes has arguably been the Canucks' best player this season, and a three-assist effort against Columbus now gives him 25 points on the season. His offensive upside is as good as any other defenseman, and relative to his point production, this salary is a bargain.
Thomas Chabot, OTT at TB ($5,900): Chabot is riding a five-game assist streak as he continues to search for his first goal. It will come sooner or later, and even if he doesn't score, Chabot has always been a reliable source of shots and blocked shots.
Tony DeAngelo, CAR vs. DET ($5,700): Rod Brind'Amour says he expects some rust as DeAngelo and Brett Pesce return to the lineup for the first time since November after clearing COVID protocol, but their roles probably won't change. This is a ripe matchup against the league's 26th-ranked power play, and like Hughes and Chabot, DeAngelo offers up quite a bit of value at this salary due to his offensive production as the Canes' top quarterback.
