This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
It's a busy 11-game schedule for Saturday with every one of them featured on the all-day contest. Otherwise, it's a three-game slate for the early-only contest and the remaining eight on the main contest.
GOALIES
Philipp Grubauer, COL vs. STL ($8,600): The Avs gambled with backup Jonas Johansson and got the win against the Blues' top goalie Friday night, which sets up Grubauer against their backup. Don't completely count out the Blues and their talented squad. But considering how good the Avs have been in providing goal support, Grubauer should have a significant advantage.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. DET ($8,500): Vasilevskiy definitely has a easier matchup than Grubauer. If Curtis McElhinney draws the start, then this isn't as solid a bet. Vasilevskiy is 3-0 with a 1.65 GAA and .925 Sv% against the Wings this season.
Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. MIN ($8,200): It was a close one last time out, but the scales are tipping in favour of Vegas because they're excellent at home (14-3-2) while the Wild are mediocre on the road (9-8-2). Fleury wasn't particularly solid in March (2.66 GAA, .909 Sv%), but Vegas comes in with a significant edge in GF/GP.
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA vs. CBJ ($8,100): Both Bob and Chris Driedger will be fine in this matchup. The Jackets' best shooter Patrik Laine isn't getting shots and in general has had trouble generating offense all season. Meanwhile, the Panthers continue to roll even without key players with four straight Ws. They're also 3-0-1 against Columbus this year.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. PHI ($8,000): There is cause for concern since Varlamov allowed three goals or more in three of his past five appearances, but the good news is the Islanders provided eight goals last game and they're playing the Flyers whose goaltending has been… er, wait – what goaltending?
Carey Price, MTL vs. OTT ($7,700): The Sens love playing spoiler, but note two of their three victories against the Habs were in extra time. Price hasn't had to work very hard the last two with just 31 combined saves. And really, it's the team in front of him that's been playing really well. The Sens are outmatched at virtually every position.
Igor Shesterkin, NYR at BUF ($7,500): The Sabres gave the Rangers quite the scare, but Shesterkin pulled through in overtime to give him five wins in his past six contests. Since losing their first meeting of the season, the Rangers have taken four straight while not allowing more than three goals.
VALUE PLAYS
Kirby Dach, CHI at NSH ($3,400): Dach is slated to play on the first line between Patrick Kane and Alex DeBrincat, both of whom have enjoyed success against the Preds this season. Dach is on a two-game assist streak but was held without a point in his first two against the Preds.
Casey Mittelstadt, NYR at BUF ($3,300): That's now two points in two games for Mittelstadt despite seeing his minutes get cut after Sam Reinhart was moved to center. The talented playmaker has made little impact since getting drafted, but he's far more noticeable now in a top-six role.
LINE STACKS
Predators vs. Blackhawks
Mikael Granlund (C - $5,200), Luke Kunin (W - $3,400), Calle Jarnkrok (W - $4,000)
Granlund and Kunin have combined for six points against the Preds this season and Jarnkrok has been solid with three points in three games. According to Natural Stat Trick, despite only playing 52:16 on 5v5 together and losing the puck possession battle (47.66 CF%), they're also generating 58.53 shot attempts per 60 minutes - slightly higher than the top line's 56.07 CF/60.
Rangers at Sabres
Ryan Strome (C - $5,900), Artemi Panarin (W - $7,700), Kaapo Kakko (W - $4,100)
This trio combined for three points in their last game and Kakko even managed to get in six shots! This represents a favorable matchup for the Rangers, who dominated puck possession and should do so again.
Panthers vs. Blue Jackets
Noel Acciari (C - $3,700), Carter Verhaeghe (W - $5,700), Mason Marchment (W - $3,100)
There's more talent on the Panthers' second unit headlined by Jonathan Huberdeau, but this line has been far more effective. The Jackets' collapse on defense means the Panthers will get a lot of shots on net, while this group's ability to retrieve pucks and rebounds is going to be key. Marchment didn't notch any points last contest but did skate a season-high 20 minutes. This has been a great value line stack so far.
Islanders vs. Flyers
Brock Nelson (C - $5,500), Josh Bailey (W - $4,700), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $4,100)
Of course, you could simply just stack Mathew Barzal ($6,700) and Jordan Eberle ($6,100) and save $1,500, but this trio was excellent in the Caps' game. Bailey leads all Isles with five points in five against the Flyers this season while Beauvillier has provided two goals in three.
DEFENSEMEN
Shea Theodore, VGK vs. MIN ($6,400): On a night with so many elite defensemen in action, there's no need to reach for the guy at the very top. Theodore extended his point streak to four Thursday while unleashing a team-high six shots. Vegas's cap situation has forced them to dress fewer than the usual 18 skaters. If that continues, expect Theodore to see even more offensive roles.
Adam Fox, NYR at BUF ($5,700): Fox's helper last contest extended his point streak to nine games and he has another favorable matchup against the Sabres. He played 28 minutes in a tight encounter, but note that his usage may drop if the Rangers get a big early lead.
John Klingberg, DAL at CAR ($5,600): Klingberg's a good bet with his five-game point streak, but also because his xGF continues to trail his GF at 5v5 by 2.76 for the season and 4.34 in March according to Natural Stat Trick. The Canes are not an easy opponent, but their goaltending has recently regressed with 11 goals allowed in their last four.
