This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Monday only brings us two games, but they are interesting games from a fantasy perspective. The Flames are facing the Islanders, and the Stars are taking on the Blues. Neither matchup screams "Avoid," which means you have more options than you might otherwise think with so few teams playing. Here's a look at some of the better values.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. DAL ($8,000): Here's the one place where we run into trouble. There's no goalie from the Islanders or the Stars you want any part of, and Chad Johnson started for the Flames on Sunday (and struggled) so he might not be in net Monday. That just leaves Allen. He's been OK with a .913 save percentage, but he's the best goalie going on this slate, and he has the best chance to get a win.
CENTER
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. CGY ($5,100): Whether it's Brian Elliott or Chad Johnson on the second night of a back-to-back, you have to like the matchup for Nelson. While he's no John Tavares ($7,300), he's taken 40 shots on goal in 20 games and notched 13 points. With Nelson, you can take advantage of a very favorable matchup without putting a big hole in your budget.
Paul Stastny, STL vs. DAL ($4,600): The Stars are allowing 3.3 goals per game and they have the 24th-ranked penalty kill. Stastny is playing more than three minutes a night on the power play, and he has six points with the extra man. All it could take is a power play or two for Stastny to pay off for your fantasy team, but he's also by no means a power-play specialist, as he plays more than 20 minutes a night overall.
WING
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. DAL ($5,800): Schwartz missed the first couple games of the season, and then took a little while to get going, but he's been playing impressive hockey recently. He's got a point in six straight games, and eight goals in 18 games. Antti Niemi and his .909 save percentage will be in net for the Stars, which certainly should entice you to consider Schwartz.
Michael Frolik, CGY at NYI ($5,000): While the Islanders are better than the Stars, they are 26th in goals allowed and 23rd in penalty-kill percentage, so they aren't that much better. Granted, Frolik doesn't really play on the power play, so only half of those facts apply to him, but it's still a good matchup. He does have 14 points, and he's taken 56 shots in 24 games. He may not be a flashy name, but he can certainly help you.
Josh Bailey, NYI vs. CGY ($4,600): Bailey is playing a career-high 18:57 as the top left winger for New York. He only has three goals, but his 7.7 shooting percentage is the lowest of his career, and he also has eight assists. Plus, as previously mentioned, the Flames have been one of the league's worst teams at goal prevention.
DEFENSE
Colton Parayko, STL vs. DAL ($4,600): Parayko doesn't have the cache of a Kevin Shattenkirk or an Alex Pietrangelo, but he's having a fine season in his own right. He's notched 11 assists, and while he has zero goals, he's taken 60 shots on net. Lighting the lamp against the Stars seems quite doable, but even if he doesn't, he is contributing in other ways (including 38 blocked shots).
Julius Honka, DAL at STL ($4,100): This is, admittedly, a bit of a gamble on a young, promising player. The 20-year-old Honka, who was selected 14th overall in 2014, just made his NHL debut. In three games, he only has one point, but he's taken 13 shots on goal and is playing 18:40 a night. The Stars needed help on their blue line, and they seem to be giving Honka an opportunity. Since there are only two games, and since the rookie is fairly cheap, he's worth taking a chance on.
