This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Saturday's NHL main slate begins at 7:00 PM Eastern time and features eight games. Below, you'll find an overview of the matchups and suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Avalanche are this slate's biggest favorites in Los Angeles, while the Hurricanes-Maple Leafs, Sharks-Rangers and Panthers-Golden Knights games all feature some enticing options. Each of the latter three games includes both a top-six ranked offense to target and a bottom-six defense to exploit.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy ($9,300) finally took a regulation loss Thursday in Vegas following an 18-0-2 stretch. He's likely to bounce back against a Coyotes team that's scoring just 2.64 goals per game — sixth-fewest in the league. The pricey goalie is a high floor option for those willing to pay up for him.
Pavel Francouz ($8,100) has stopped 53 of 54 shots in winning each of his last two starts. The Avalanche netminder should continue his hot streak against a Los Angeles team that's averaging only 2.51 goals per game.
Juuse Saros ($8,000) should get the second half of Nashville's back-to-back set after Pekka Rinne got the nod Friday. The younger Finnish goalie is 5-2-0 in his last seven decisions, and his team will be playing host to a sliding Blue Jackets team that's winless in its last seven games and just lost leading goal-scorer Oliver Bjorkstrand (ankle) for the next two months.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Sebastian Aho ($8,100) has been a goal-scoring machine recently, potting 11 in his last 10 games to bring his season total to 35. The Hurricanes' center will look to stay hot against a Maple Leafs team that's allowing 3.23 goals per game.
If you're stacking Rangers against San Jose's bottom-five defense, Artemi Panarin ($8,100) should be a part of that equation. An active eight-game point streak has given the Russian winger a 31-50-81 line in 59 games, ranking him eighth in goals and tied for fourth in points across the NHL.
Tomas Tatar ($6,500) leads the Canadiens in both goals (21) and points (55). He'll look to add to those robust totals against a Senators team that's surrendering 3.34 goals per game — tied with Florida for third-most in the league.
Noel Acciari ($3,700) has been getting a chance on Florida's top line recently alongside top scorers Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau. At just $3,700, the 19-goal scorer makes for a nice cheap filler in Vegas.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Avalanche at Kings
Nathan MacKinnon (C - $8,900), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $6,600), Andre Burakovsky (W - $5,700)
The Kings have played a bit better of late but are still just 5-13-1 since the calendar flipped to 2020. One of the most dangerous lines in hockey should add to Los Angeles' struggles. MacKinnon is tied for sixth league-wide in goals (33) and ranks third in points (84). Burakovsky's on an extended hot streak that's seen him post a 7-10-17 line in his last 14 games. Landeskog has a 16-13-29 line in 44 appearances but is capable of finding another gear to his game, as indicated by last season's 75-point campaign.
Rangers vs. Sharks
Mika Zibanejad (C - $8,300), Chris Kreider (W - $6,800), Pavel Buchnevich (W - $5,500)
This line has been the driving force behind the Rangers' recent surge, and New York will be motivated at home against the Sharks now that a playoff spot is within striking distance. Zibanejad has a 9-13-22 line in his last 13 games, Kreider has a 17-11-28 line in his last 27 and Buchnevich is at 7-5-12 over his last 13. A San Jose team that's allowing 3.25 goals per game is unlikely to contain this productive trio.
Golden Knights vs. Panthers
Paul Stastny (C - $4,900), Jonathan Marchessault (W - $7,000), Reilly Smith (W - $5,100)
Florida will likely match its prolific top line against Vegas' own, but the Panthers won't have an answer to this highly skilled second line. Smith has a three-game point streak rolling and a 23-24-47 line in 62 games. Marchessault has a 20-22-42 line in 57 games and 21 shots in his last four, while Stastny owns a 17-16-33 line. This trio should add to its totals against a Panthers team that's allowing 3.34 goals per game.
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Burns ($6,700) has delivered outstanding all-around value recently, with a 2-6-8 line, 27 shots and 15 blocks over his past seven games. He's San Jose's best offensive option on the blue line with Erik Karlsson (thumb) done for the season, so Burns offers a high floor thanks to his contributions across the board and a high points ceiling against the Rangers.
Shea Weber ($5,200) hasn't missed a beat since returning from a two-week absence due to a foot injury, registering a goal on seven shots and six blocks in two games since coming back. He's a strong choice against the lowly Senators if you have the money for him.
Shea Theodore ($5,400) is playing at a point-per-game pace over his last 14, bringing his season line to 8-32-40 in 62 games. That recent success should continue against the defensively challenged Panthers.
Jake Muzzin ($4,300) has a four-game point streak going for Toronto, including a three-point effort against the Penguins last time out. The affordable blueliner continues to carry plenty of upside as part of an effective Maple Leafs attack, especially at home against a Hurricanes team that's flying in after playing in Carolina last night.
