This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's the usual busy Tuesday with eight games on the slate, including a rubber match between the Islanders and Flyers, two teams headed in vastly different directions. A handful of teams will also be playing back-to-back, including the Sabres, Predators and Kings.
GOALIES
Anton Forsberg, OTT vs. BUF ($6,500): The Sabres are playing the second game of a back-to-back while the Sens are coming off a 6-4 win against the Oilers. It could be a costly win because the Sens defense and Forsberg aren't very good, though the Sabres have had a lot of trouble scoring lately and they've scored three goals just once since Jan. 1.
Thatcher Demko, VAN at NSH ($7,200): The Preds will likely start backup David Rittich after Juuse Saros lost to the Blues on Monday, and the Canucks are coming off a 4-1 win against the Caps. It was a nice bounce-back performance for the Canucks, who had been beaten rather easily by the Canes and Panthers. Demko has been one of the best goalies in the league this season, and should get the start. There's a small risk of fatigue if Jaroslav Halak remains in COVID protocol since Demko started back-to-back games.
Braden Holtby, DAL vs. MON ($7,700): This should be an easy win for the Stars, and they're on home ice where they've been excellent. The nightmare season for the Habs continues, who will be playing the second half of a back-to-back after losing to the Coyotes on Monday, 5-2.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI at PHI ($7,800): The Isles get a chance to run it back after defeating the Flyers on Monday night, 4-1. Travis Konecny was the Flyers' lone goal scorer as they lost their eighth straight game; meanwhile, the Isles have won four of their past five and opponents have scored more than two goals just three times in their past 10 games. Varlamov has allowed only three goals in his past three games.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at LA ($8,400): The Kings should come out with a better effort after Timo Meier pumped them with five goals, but even at the Kings' best, beating the Lightning will be a tough task. Cal Petersen should get the start, and he's been excellent with only two goals allowed in his past three games. But, again, this is Tampa, whom Petersen has never faced in his career, and the Kings have not beaten the Lightning since Dec. 6, 2015.
VALUE PLAYS
Cole Perfetti, WPG vs. WSH ($3,200): Evgeny Svechnikov and Blake Wheeler are still hurt and Paul Stastny is in COVID protocol as of Monday night, which means Perfetti moves onto a line with Pierre-Luc Dubois and Kyle Connor. The talented forward has not made much of an impact but at least he's been given a lot of top-six opportunities. The Caps' goalies have not been sharp lately and the Jets could take advantage with their talented offense.
Tyler Ennis, OTT vs. BUF ($3,700): Connor Brown is out with a broken jaw and Ennis moves up the lineup and will play with Josh Norris and Brady Tkachuk. Ennis has always been a very skilled player and now he gets to play with the Sens' best players against a team that has trouble keeping pucks out of the net. Ennis has not scored a point in his past four games but should get plenty of chances in this matchup and will also likely see time on the power play.
Corey Perry, TB at LA ($4,700): Perry is expected to play on the top line with Nikita Kucherov and Brayden Point. It's another way of saying that Perry's probably going to score a point without doing much more than standing in front of the net. The Kings allowed six goals against the Sharks on Monday.
LINE STACKS
Canucks at Predators
Bo Horvat (C - $6,400), Elias Pettersson (C - $5,000), Nils Hoglander (W - $3,600)
Pettersson scored two goals in his last game, and talented players tend to score in bunches. It's been a very poor season but maybe he's just turning the corner, and having the reliable Horvat taking faceoffs (note Pettersson is listed as a C) and Hoglander winning puck battles might provide some offensive opportunities. Bruce Boudreau likes to mix up the lines, but at least Pettersson and Horvat will continue to play key roles on the power play.
Stars vs. Canadiens
Roope Hintz (C - $7,100), Joe Pavelski (W - $7,300), Jacob Peterson (C - $3,800)
Obviously, not having Jason Robertson will hurt the Stars' offense, but Peterson is a welcome addition because he can keep the cost of this line stack low, though note he's listed as a C. It's tempting to go with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin, but they've been unreliable this season, and when healthy, Hintz is arguably their best player.
DEFENSEMEN
Brett Pesce, CAR at BOS ($4,900): They really spread the wealth around in Carolina, but Pesce has been excellent lately, scoring four assists in his past five games while averaging over 21 minutes per game. The B's will be tough and Tuukka Rask looked good in his season debut, but Pesce has also been a reliable source of shots and blocks as well.
Dmitry Orlov, WSH vs. WPG ($4,000): With John Carlson possibly unavailable, look for Orlov to handle duties on the power play. He's the next man up for the Caps, and considering the huge role Carlson plays, expect Orlov to shoulder a pretty big workload. He played 21 minutes in his first game since clearing COVID protocol against the Canucks on Sunday.
Cam York, PHI vs. NYI ($4,000): York is averaging over 20 minutes per game in his rookie season, who is known as a very talented puck mover. The Flyers blue line is in shambles, but just in case the Flyers manage to prevent the home-and-home series sweep, York could be a good source of points if their offense can get going.
