This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are nine games for Tuesday's slate, the second-highest total of the week behind Saturday's 10-game slate. With 18 rosters to choose from, there will be plenty of options for both value plays and line stacks.
The Hurricanes and the Canadiens have the opportunity to extend their winning streak to six games. This is already the Canes' second-longest winning streak of the season, and for the Habs, part of a miracle turnaround under Martin St. Louis.
GOALIES
Elvis Merzlikins, CBJ vs. NJ ($7,500): The Devils are playing the second half of a back-to-back after beating a lackluster Canucks squad on Monday. Short rest for the Devils works in favor of Merzlikins, but also note that the Jackets offense has provided good goal support recently, and the Devils got better-than-expected goaltending from Nico Daws against the Canucks. Jon Gillies, the expected starter against the Jackets, has allowed 15 goals in his past three games.
Mike Smith, EDM at PHI ($7,800): Surely, the Oilers can win this one, right? Smith was pretty solid in his last start against the Canes on Sunday, allowing two goals on 29 shots, and as bad as the Oilers' goaltending has been, it hasn't been worse than the Flyers'. The bet here is that the Oilers' more talented offense bails out Smith, and that Smith can at least limit the number goals scored on him against an anemic Flyers offense.
Robin Lehner, VGK vs. SJ ($8,300): Lehner is expected to return, making his first appearance after allowing six goals to the Flames on Feb. 9. Admittedly, it's a dicey play because Lehner has not been very good this season, but note that since Feb. 1, the Sharks are averaging a league-worst 2.13 GF/GP. The Knights have not lost to the Sharks in regulation since Jan. 10, 2019, and excluding the playoffs are 13-0-2 since then.
VALUE PLAYS
Jack Roslovic, CBJ vs. NJ ($3,900): Depth at center has been a bit of an issue for the Jackets this season and it's Roslovic's turn now as he centers the second line between Jakub Voracek and Oliver Bjorkstrand. Roslovic has scored two points in two of his past three games, snapping a five-game drought.
Vladislav Namestnikov, DET vs. CAR ($4,000): Filip Zadina's uninspiring play saw him drop down to the third line at Monday's practice, with Namestnikov taking his place on a line with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. Namestnikov has scored only one goal in six games, but note that four of his last eight points scored also involved Larkin. The trio have played together before, and their previously established chemistry might help Namestnikov get on the board.
LINE STACKS
Devils at Blue Jackets
Jack Hughes (C - $8,300), Yegor Sharangovich (W - $5,400), Dawson Mercer (C - $4,800)
All three players have two points apiece in a 7-2 shellacking of the Canucks, a win made easy by another poor performance from Jaroslav Halak. The Jackets will likely be without top defenseman Zach Werenski, which opens up the door for another big night from the Devils' most talented line. Nico Hischier's line was also productive against the Canucks, but Hughes has the most offensive upside in the Devils' lineup. Note Mercer is listed as a center but could be a good value play on his own, too.
Golden Knights vs. Sharks
William Karlsson (C - $4,600), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $6,200), Reilly Smith (W - $5,700)
The easy stack would be Jack Eichel's line, but Evgenii Dadonov has been so disappointing for two seasons now that he is no longer worth the risk. The Misfits line, however, has been a near-constant for Vegas, and last season scored 19 points combined in eight games against the Sharks. Expected starter James Reimer allowed three goals in a losing effort against the Knights on Feb. 20.
DEFENSEMEN
Moritz Seider, DET vs. CAR ($6,400): Seider is on a six-game point streak and continues to be a big minutes eater for the Wings. He'll have his plate full against the Canes, but he'll also be the best defenseman on the ice at all times, and judging from the Wings' seven-goal outburst in their last game, it doesn't look like they should have much trouble scoring goals.
Charlie McAvoy, BOS at ANH ($5,300): It's hard to beat this salary for McAvoy, who recorded yet another multi-point game against the Kings on Monday, his third in four games. The well-rounded rearguard does everything for the B's, and plays far more minutes than any of their defensemen.
Neal Pionk, WPG vs. MON ($4,700): The quiet but dependable Pionk is having yet another productive season, and over the past four games has collected four assists. He's been more productive than Josh Morrissey, who quarterbacks the first power play, but that advantage for Morrissey might be negated because the Habs PK has been pretty good under St. Louis, ranking 14th in the league under his watch.
