This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
A light three-game slate for Monday and the most interesting game of the night will be Panthers at Rangers, who can spoiler by getting a chance to hand their visitors their first regulation loss of the season.
The Leafs are similarly in a groove, going a perfect 3-0-0 last week and their offense has suddenly woken up with Mitch Marner scoring nine points and Auston Matthews scoring four goals.
GOALIES
Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. FLA ($7,900): This could be a rebound game for Shesterkin, who allowed six goals against the Flames in his last start. The Panthers are rightfully favored but they may be missing key players due to injury, including captain Aleksander Barkov, but all streaks must come to an end, and it's gotten to the point where betting against the Panthers might pay off more than hoping they can extend their record streak.
Ilya Samsonov, WSH vs. BUF ($8,200): With Vitek Vanecek losing three straight games, perhaps it's time for Samsonov yet again. We won't underestimate the Sabres, but note they're 1-3-1 on the road and ranks 21st in goals scored per game. The Caps have lost five of their past seven games, but all of them have been one-goal games.
Jack Campbell, TOR vs. LA ($8,600): There aren't many options for Monday and Campbell will be a popular pick. The Leafs have the clear advantage against the shorthanded Kings, who are 0-3-1 on the road and their offense has cooled off considerably after a hot start.
VALUE PLAYS
Hendrix Lapierre, WSH vs. BUF ($3,400): Lapierre and Connor McMichael ($3,600) have been leaned on a little more with T.J. Oshie injured, and McMichael has been more productive with two points in two games, but Lapierre's in a better situation at the moment playing on a line with veterans Lars Eller and Daniel Sprong, while McMichael centers fellow rookie Brett Leason and Conor Sheary. Lapierre also offers additional upside playing on the second power play.
Barclay Goodrow, NYR vs. FLA ($3,800): Goodrow has been skating with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider, providing really good value for an otherwise third-line caliber forward. He does a little bit of everything, but hopefully playing with two scorers means he'll get more offensive opportunities. He's registered at least one shot in nine straight games.
Arthur Kaliyev, LA at TOR ($4,100): It's power play or bust for Kaliyev on most nights, who has scored three goals in his past four games, two of which have come with the man advantage. His possession numbers at 5-on-5 have not been very good on a team that ranks seventh in CF%, according to naturalstattrick.com, and as a one-dimensional scorer at this point in his career, offers little upside unless the Kings can draw some penalties. When they do, Kaliyev offers intriguing upside with his ability to shoot.
Anton Lundell, FLA at NYR ($5,700): If Barkov is unavailable, look for Lundell to play big minutes. He scored a goal in 18 minutes against the Canes, giving him six points in seven games this season. He's slated to center a line with Jonathan Huberdeau and Owen Tippett, a playmaker and a scorer on what should be a very balanced line the Panthers can lean on a lot.
LINE STACKS
Capitals vs. Sabres
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C - $7,800), Alex Ovechkin (W - $9,400), Tom Wilson (W - $5,400)
Just in case this ends up being a high-scoring game between two teams with shaky goaltending, why not bet on the best line? Kuznetsov has been excellent all season and Wilson is an ideal addition because he's not as expensive as usual first-line players but still has an ability to score.
Maple Leafs vs. Kings
Auston Matthews (C - $9,500), William Nylander (W - $7,100), Michael Bunting (W - $4,200)
Marner's ($7,500) line with John Tavares ($8,600) and Alex Kerfoot ($3,900) is also a good option even though the difference is $800. The upside to this line is Bunting, who plays on the second power play while Kerfoot's special teams duties are usually limited to penalty killing. The Leafs offense is coming alive with 16 goals in their past four games.
DEFENSEMEN
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at NYR ($6,900): I favour Ekblad slightly over Fox because he can get more shots on net. The Panthers should not be discounted even though they've been missing key players in their lineup as they remain unbeaten in regulation. Only the one-win Coyotes have a harder time getting shots on net than the Rangers, while the Panthers rank eighth and also boast the ninth-best power play.
John Carlson, WSH vs. BUF ($6,600): Carlson isn't in the same tier as Adam Fox ($7,000) or Ekblad, but the more favorable matchup should give Carlson the edge. He's working on a four-game point streak with 13 shots on goal and potentially a good value play because the quality dives off a cliff after Carlson.
Kale Clague, LA at TOR ($3,800): Clague has scored three points in four games since getting called up and will play on the third pair with Alexander Edler. The Leafs are a tough opponent and they'll get the matchup advantage playing on home ice, so there's some risk in an otherwise talented young player who's on a bit of a heater.
