This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
We're back to our regular busy Tuesday slates but note that it's relatively light with only seven games on tap. The Hurricanes, Senators and Devils will be playing the second part of their back-to-backs. Key matchups including an Eastern Conference middleweight showdown between the Penguins and Bruins, and a litmus test game for the Oilers as they face the Golden Knights.
GOALIES
Antti Raanta, CAR at OTT ($8,500): Raanta should get the start after Frederik Andersen took the loss against the Leafs on Monday. Raanta has been pretty good most of the time, and in his last start allowed just one goal on 25 shots against the Devils, and the Sens are in a similarly low tier of competency.
Cam Talbot, MIN at WPG ($8,400): Kaapo Kahkonen would be a good choice, too, and the Jets have been stuck in a slow downward spiral all season. The Wild defy analytics and remain very efficient on offense, while the Jets have allowed the 11th-most goals per game since Jan. 1. Veterans Dylan DeMelo and Logan Stanley may not be available, which means playing yet another game with half of their AHL defense.
Ilya Samsonov, WSH vs. CBJ ($8,000): Samsonov allowed three goals on just four shots in his last start before the All-Star break and will be looking to bounce back in a strong way. History is also on his side; in three career starts against the Jackets, Samsonov is a perfect 3-0-0 with a .933 Sv% and 1.64 GAA. Even without Alex Ovechkin providing goal support, the Caps should have enough firepower against the Jackets' poor goaltending to earn a win.
VALUE PLAYS
Joe Snively, WSH vs. CBJ ($3,300): Ovechkin sat out the All-Star Game due to COVID protocol, and his availability is questionable as of Monday evening. That means Snively, an undersized, undrafted forward who scored 38 points in 35 games with AHL Hershey this season and registered two assists in four games with the Caps, will remain as the first-line left winger playing with Evgeny Kuznetsov and Tom Wilson. This shouldn't be a particularly competitive game, which means potentially more minutes than usual for Snively.
Evander Kane, EDM vs. VGK ($6,100): Kane remains a fantastic option at this salary, playing with Connor McDavid and already scoring two goals in three games. On the ice, Kane is a rare power forward who can play a top-line role, and he's playing with the league's best scorer. Robin Lehner has played better of late, but overall has allowed far too many goals this season.
LINE STACKS
Hurricanes at Senators
Vincent Trocheck (C - $5,900), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $7,500), Seth Jarvis (W - $4,500)
Another reason to pile on the Sens is because the red-hot Matt Murray is probably not going to start. If he does, then maybe look for another line stack, but the Sens are expected to start Anton Forsberg, who has a 3.02 GAA. The Canes are coming off an overtime loss but their offense remains devastating with another three goals. The lack of depth at center for the Sens – they used usual wingers Tim Stutzle and Nick Paul as centers on Monday – means both Trocheck and Sebastian Aho should dominate.
Canadiens vs. Devils
Nick Suzuki (C - $5,700), Tyler Toffoli (W - $6,400), Artturi Lehkonen (W - $5,000)
The Habs' lines are subject to change with Christian Dvorak, Cole Caufield and Joel Armia all possibly returning to the lineup, but for now, this is their top line. They're playing a vulnerable opponent with Jack Hughes potentially unavailable due to COVID protocol and coming off a 4-1 loss to the Sens on Monday. The Habs have been a punching bag all season, but Suzuki and Toffoli are quality top-six forwards and combined for six points in their past two games. This is a line stack that is certain to be overlooked, but the matchup should favor the Habs.
DEFENSEMEN
Damon Severson, NJ at MON ($5,700): Severson notched an assist on the power play Monday against the Sens, snapping a three-game drought and giving him 22 points on the season. The Habs offer up yet another enticing matchup, and though Severson's minutes have dipped lately, he still finished third-highest on the team. He needed just nine seconds to record his power-play assist, and will likely get more than just one power play since the Habs have taken the third-most penalties in the league with 190.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson, VAN vs. ARI ($4,500): Quinn Hughes is in COVID protocol and that takes leaves a huge void on the Canucks power play. They could experiment with a five-forward set, but in all likelihood, expect OEL to play a bigger role than usual. The veteran defender has been solid for the Canucks this season but only now is the offense starting to show with two points in four games.
