SLATE PREVIEW
It's a busy Friday with eight games on the NHL slate. Vegas plays in Toronto, St. Louis travels to Dallas, Chicago hosts Tampa Bay, Washington is in Calgary, Colorado is home to Philadelphia, Anaheim travels to Seattle, the Rangers find their way to San Jose and New Jersey plays in Vancouver. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at CHI ($8,400): Vasilevskiy has gone 10-0-1 during his last 11 starts with an eye-popping 1.97 GAA and .917 save percentage. He's also 21-7-3 with a 2.18/.916 line overall and will go up against a Chicago team that also skated on Thursday.
Mackenzie Blackwood, COL vs. PHI ($8,300): Blackwood has only played only over the Avs' last nine games as he was out with a lower-body injury. His return wasn't great as he gave up five goals on 28 shots to Nashville, yet he's still posted a 13-2-1 record alongside a 2.26 GAA and .917 save percentage on the season for a strong Colorado side.
VALUE PLAYS
Mitch Marner, VGK at TOR ($6,300): Marner returns to Toronto for the first time since signing with Vegas during the offseason. He may get booed on Friday, but should do well against the Leafs as he set up a pair of goals when the teams first met in Vegas last week.
Matty Beniers, SEA vs. ANA ($4,400): Beniers has been hot of late by tallying seven goals and seven assists from his last 16 matchups. He's also provided an assist in each of his last two meetings with the Ducks.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Sharks vs. Rangers
Collin Graf (W - $3,500), Macklin Celebrini (C - $9,000), Will Smith (W - $4,500)
Celebrini has been on fire all year with 72 points and recently got back Will Smith on his wing, who potted goals from each of his first two appearances to give him 31 points. Graf has been a pleasant surprise being promoting to the top trio and posting managing 14 goals and 13 assists so far. The salaries for Smith and Graf also balance out Celebrini's significant outlay to make this a solid line for stacking.
Devils at Canucks
Timo Meier (W - $6,100) Jack Hughes (C - $8,000), Jesper Bratt (W - $5,000)
Hughes hasn't found the back of the net since Dec. 21, though does have 10 assists and 38 shots over his last 11 outings. Meier has only registered 13 goals and 13 assists while Bratt sits at 37 points. They'll be facing Vancouver on Friday, who've gone 1-8-1 during their last 10.
DEFENSEMEN
Darren Raddysh, TB at CHI ($6,700): Raddysh has been a fantasy gem with 12 goals and 30 assists in 42 matchups. He's significantly benefited from Victor Hedman's injury and should continue producing on Friday going up against a tired Chicago team.
Dougie Hamilton, NJ at VAN ($4,300): Hamilton carries extra value as teammate Luke Hughes suffered a shoulder injury and is out long-term. He's now the Devils' top blueliner and is also riding a six-game scoring streak that consists of seven assists - including two on the power play.
