This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
Happy Monday — there's 10 games on the slate starting at 7 p.m. EST with staggered starts throughout the day for your viewing pleasure. Note: Blues at Coyotes (4 p.m.) will not be available on FanDuel's main slate due to its early start time.
Here's a rundown of key matchups...
Panthers at Lightning, 7 p.m.: The series is split 1-1 with the losing team getting blown out each time. Steven Stamkos is set to return, and he may tip the scales in the Lightning's favor, who already have an 8-6 edge in goals over the past two games.
Blue Jackets at Hurricanes, 7 p.m.: Of course, the moment I identify this as a potentially high-scoring game, we might get a low-scoring, low-event, grind-it-out slugfest. The Jackets and Canes are both averaging 3.83 goals per game in February, trailing only the Lightning and Leafs.
Predators at Stars, 8:30 p.m.: Who emerges victorious between the two struggling teams? In the first game of a back-to-back, look for both teams to give their two goalies one start each. The Stars beat the Preds twice earlier in the season by a combined score of 10-2, but were also most recently swept by the Canes.
Flames at Canucks, 10 p.m.: Goaltending has been the story of this series, with Jacob Markstrom getting the upper hand most of the time. However, Thatcher Demko was very good in his last start even though he saw just 19 shots, and if he starts again, it could indicate that he will be the preferred starter over Braden Holtby going forward.
(All fancy stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.)
GOALIES
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. OTT ($8,400): Andersen was tagged with the loss against Montreal but allowed just two goals, with Brendan Gallagher's winner coming late in the game with a missed assignment in front of the net. Analytically, the Sens are scoring seven goals fewer than expected at 5v5, which means they're due for a big offensive night soon, but the Leafs have been stout defensively and have limited their opponents to six goals in their past four games.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI at BUF ($8,200): The Sabres will be looking to shake off some rust and the idea is that the Isles' structured and disciplined approach should prevail. Varlamov made 28 saves in a win against a much better Bruins team and has not lost in regulation since Jan. 28. He ranks sixth in GSAA among goalies with at least 10 appearances.
Jake Oettinger, DAL vs. NSH ($7,900): The Stars have not announced their starter but Oettinger has played well despite three straight losses in extra time. The Preds offense will be a lot easier to handle because they simply don't generate very many high-danger chances at even strength, and the Stars also do a pretty good job of keeping chances to the outside. If Oettinger loses, it probably means he's getting beat from pretty far out or getting some bad bounces. The Stars won their first two meetings this season by a combined 10-2 score.
John Gibson, ANH at SJ ($6,800): I like Gibson as a value play because he's an elite goalie who plays on a bad team and doesn't get nearly enough goal support. Good thing the Sharks' goaltending is atrocious, which could help the Ducks provide more goal support than usual. The Ducks have scored five goals in two games against the Sharks this season, much higher than their season average of just 1.93 goals per game.
VALUE PLAYS
Joe Thornton, TOR vs. OTT ($4,300): Thornton is expected to return from his rib injury and play left wing on the top line. His passing ability should provide a big boost for Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, who has found his shooting touch lately with two goals and 16 shots in his past five games.
Jeff Skinner, BUF vs. NYI ($4,100): This has to be his last chance, right? Skinner's done practically nothing since signing his big extension and only has one assist this season. Past history shows that moving Skinner to the top line won't make much of a difference, but it's still a potential value play because he's playing next to Jack Eichel.
Martin Necas, CAR vs. CBJ ($4,000): The Canes are a strong possession team and Necas didn't look rusty against the Stars after a nine-day absence, notching an assist and two shots. He remains a staple on the second line with Vincent Trocheck and on PP2.
Kevin Stenlund, CBJ at CAR ($3,700): Stenlund's four-game point streak was snapped but he still finished the night with a shot and three blocked shots. It's nice to know that even if he doesn't score that he can contribute in other categories. He has not relinquished his spot on the second line just yet and the quality of the Hurricanes' goaltending has taken a nosedive recently.
LINE STACKS
Maple Leafs vs. Senators
Auston Matthews (C - $8,600), Mitch Marner (W - $7,900), Joe Thornton (W - $4,300)
This line combined for seven points in their last outing against the Sens and there's little reason to think they won't be able to do it again. The Sens' play has been trending up despite the losses, but they continue to be porous on defense, allowing 57.62 CA/60, fourth-highest in the league.
Blue Jackets at Hurricanes
Jack Roslovic (C - $4,900), Patrik Laine (W - $7,400), Cam Atkinson (W - $6,500)
Atkinson has scored four goals in his past five games and the trio have been dynamite since head coach John Tortorella put them together. They play in straight lines and never get too cute, and it's paid huge dividends so far with the Jackets scoring goals at a much higher pace than before the trade. This line will likely lead the Jackets in minutes unless they get benched, and all three play a role on the power play.
DEFENSEMEN
Darnell Nurse, EDM vs. WPG ($5,900): If Nurse can keep his hot streak intact (five goals in six games), he's as good as any of the players with a higher salary. He plays a lot of minutes and among defensemen playing Monday, only Victor Hedman and Quinn Hughes have scored more points.
Quinn Hughes, VAN vs. CGY ($5,700): He's a no-brainer and a very popular pick and leads all defensemen with 18 points. At this point it feels like you can't win without Hughes in your lineup, and at least he doesn't have the highest salary.
Zach Werenski, CBJ at CAR ($4,800): The Jackets are scoring more goals and Werenski netted a helper in his return. He edges Seth Jones ($5,300) ever so slightly in 5v5 CF/60 at even strength, 52.52 to 50.54, and on the power play, 78.95 to 71.36, making Werenski a better value play.
Dante Fabbro, NSH at DAL ($4,100): Fabbro has four points in four games and one of the few bright spots for the struggling Preds. We're riding the streak while it's hot, especially against the Stars, who have allowed eight goals in their past two games.
