This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's a slightly early puck drop at 6 p.m. EST when the Sabres visit the Islanders, the start of a nine-game slate that includes two back-to-backs. The Canucks will try to avenge their loss against the Canadiens (7 p.m.), and the Jets will try to do the same against the Flames (8 p.m.).
Tuesday's slate also features some heavy favorites, including the Avalanche (-186) against the Wild, the Hurricanes (-188) against the Blackhawks, and the Blues (-178) against the Coyotes. The tightest spread is between the Stars (-112) and Blue Jackets (-104), which is curious because the Stars have lost only once in regulation despite missing key players, and the Jackets have scored just five goals in their past three games.
(All fancy stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick)
GOALIES
Jake Allen, MON vs. VAN ($8,600): Allen's been very good – almost too good – in three games with a .933 Sv% and 1.66 GAA, so you expect those numbers to dip. But the Habs have destroyed the Canucks this season, feasting on a turnover-prone team and outscoring them 18-7 in their past three meetings.
James Reimer, CAR at CHI ($8,300): Reimer has allowed just six goals in three games this season with a .917 Sv% at 5v5. The Canes are just slightly ahead of Chicago in GF/GP (2.83 vs. 2.60), but in reality, the Canes are a much more talented and better team; they rank in the top five in both CF%, FF% and xGF%.
Anton Khudobin, DAL at CBJ ($8,100): The Jackets average just 2.30 goals per game, fourth-worst in the league, and consistently bleed scoring chances with a 46.42 CF% at 5v5, also fourth-worst in the league. It's hard to get a read on the Stars with key players out of the lineup and a power play that's been too good to be true, but they've shown in the past they don't mind grinding out games, and they'll should win this one because they have the edge in depth and talent.
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. ARI ($7,600): This is the best value play of the night. Binnington has won five of his seven starts with only one loss in regulation. Scoring is once again a problem for the Coyotes, who are 25th in GF/GP (2.50) and Shots/GP (28.1). Binnington has a 0.99 GAA and .949 Sv% in his career against the Yotes.
Mikko Koskinen, EDM vs. OTT ($7,400): The Oilers needed 11 points from Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to beat the Senators by three goals, and McDavid's line was a combined minus-4. That's probably why Koskinen's salary isn't higher, because it's probably going to be a high-scoring game again (both defenses stink) and the wins are going to be ugly.
VALUE PLAYS
Jordan Staal, CAR at CHI ($3,900): Staal has scored four points in his past four games, including a power-play goal. The Canes have quality depth down the middle, a position the Hawks are particularly thin. The Canes have generated scoring chances with the second-highest frequency at 60.72 CF/60.
Dominik Kahun, EDM vs. OTT ($3,900): There's nothing to overthink here – the Sens defense and goaltending lack both quality and depth, and Kahun is playing with Leon Draisaitl in what should be a high-scoring game despite both team's best efforts to play some resemblance of defense.
Philipp Kurashev, CHI vs. CAR ($3,700): Kurashev scored two points playing on a newly-formed top line alongside Patrick Kane. Shifting to his natural center position gives Kurashev more open ice to work with, and having Kane on his wing doesn't hurt his scoring chances, either.
Casey Mittelstadt, BUF at NYI ($3,000): Mittelstadt skated on Jack Eichel's left wing and on the second power-play unit during Monday's skate. This is a good value play based on the opportunity Mittelstadt has been given, and not necessarily a vote of confidence in his skill. He's played just 10 minutes in his two appearances with one assist and zero shots and has not lived up to expectations. Teammate Dylan Cozens ($3,600) is likely a safer bet and also plays PP2 but it comes with a higher salary.
LINE STACKS
Hurricanes at Blackhawks
Sebastian Aho (C - $7,600), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $7,000), Teuvo Teravainen (W - $5,900)
The difference between the Canes' xGF (12.34) and GF (6) at 5v5 is, by far, the biggest in the league. It means the Canes' offense is due for a big game, and it'll likely start with Aho and Teravainen, who both rank in the top three in CF% and CF/60 on the team.
Blues vs. Coyotes
Brayden Schenn (C - $6,100), Jaden Schwartz (W - $5,700), Jordan Kyrou (W - $4,300)
Schenn and Kyrou both lead the team with 10 points apiece, though Schwartz isn't far behind with seven and a team-leading plus-9. They've been the Blues' best scoring line so far this season, with Schenn on a seven-game point streak.
Oilers vs. Senators
Connor McDavid (C - $9,000), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (W - $7,500), Jesse Puljujarvi (W - $3,500)
McDavid is basically a line stack on his own, but Nugent-Hopkins brings a lot to the table as well with 10 points on the season. The Senators' 4.89 GA/GP is one goal more than the 30th-place Sharks (3.88) and their 5v5 Sv% (.865) is the worst in the league by a significant margin, too.
DEFENSEMEN
Cale Makar, MIN at COL ($6,300): Obviously, the Avs offense takes a hit if Nathan MacKinnon doesn't play, but there's still plenty of talent on that roster. Makar's on a four-game point streak with 12 shots and he should get plenty of chances on the power play; the Wild have taken 46 penalties, fifth-most in the league.
Jeff Petry, VAN at MON ($5,500): Petry scored three points in another dressing down of the Canucks and continues to be a dominant force at both ends of the rink. He's actually been better than Shea Weber ($5,900) in some regards, and a stronger value play with a lower salary.
Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. OTT ($4,800): After scoring just two points in his first eight games and about to be ridden out of town already, Barrie scored three points against the Leafs and added another two against the Sens. The power play was excellent last game and the Sens are the second-most penalized team in the league.
Rasmus Dahlin, BUF at NYI ($4,300): Dahlin has been very good on offense lately, scoring three points in four games, including a power-play goal against the Devils. Offensive stats are the primary concern in fantasy, and while his mediocre defensive play may cost him some playing time, there's no one better on the Sabres blue line at getting pucks on net. Dahlin's 32 shots trails only Eichel's 39.
