This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
Daylight saving time begins Saturday, which means we are about to lose an hour out of our day. Before that happens, though, we get 11 NHL games to enjoy. However, the two afternoon games (Flyers at Bruins and Predators at Sharks) have been relegated to their own competitions. That still leaves nine games for the evening slate, giving you plenty of players to choose from. Here are the values I think are the best of the bunch.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, ARI vs. NJD ($7,300): Sure, the Coyotes have had a lot of issues this year, but there's still reason to like Smith in this matchup. For starters, the Devils are 1-7-2 in their last 10 games, and they've lost nine in a row. Arizona, meanwhile, have been terrible on the road, but at home they are a more palatable 14-15-4. New Jersey has also been woeful offensively, as they've only averaged 2.18 goals and 27.3 shots on net per contest. Smith is quite cheap, which means he could be a tremendous steal if he picks up a win. That's not an outcome that would be the least bit surprising.
CENTER
Sean Monahan, CGY at WPG ($5,700): Monahan has been put in the position to succeed this season, as he's started 41.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. That's second most on the Flames, and any player averaging over 40 percent is in the upper echelon of the league. Monahan has also been making the most of his opportunities recently, as he's notched 10 points in his last eight games. The Jets have allowed 3.16 goals per game, and their penalty kill is ranked 28th in the league. Monahan has played 3:06 per game on the power play, so he could definitely take advantage of Winnipeg's issues.
Derick Brassard, OTT at COL ($5,000): Kyle Turris is currently injured, and as long as that's the case Brassard is the top center for the Senators. Of course, he's started 36.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone overall, so it's not like he wasn't already getting plenty of opportunities, but there is no opportunity better than a matchup with the Avalanche. Colorado has given up a league-high 3.27 goals per game, and they've also allowed 32.1 shots on net per contest. Brassard has had bad puck luck this season (7.6 shooting percentage) but this is the kind of matchup that can change that for a player.
WING
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. TOR ($5,900): The Maple Leafs have allowed a ton of shots. Specifically, they've given up 32.6 shots on net per contest. Skinner has excelled at putting the puck on goal, as he's notched 209 shots on net in 61 games. He's averaged 3.6 fantasy points per game, and there's no reason to think he can't at least maintain that pace in this matchup.
Jonathan Drouin, TAM vs. FLA ($5,500): Typically, this wouldn't look like a great matchup for Drouin. However, the Panthers will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and Roberto Luongo is out. That means James Reimer will either need to pull double duty, or Reto Berra will be getting a spot start. Berra has a career 2.80 GAA and .907 save percentage, which would obviously make this matchup look more favorable. This is especially true considering that Florida has allowed 31.7 shots on net per game, seventh most in the NHL. Drouin has started 37.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, the most of any healthy Lightning forward, and he's tallied 17 goals and 41 points in 57 games.
Kyle Palmieri, NJD at ARI ($5,000): OK, so as a whole New Jersey's offense has been terrible. However, there have been a few bright spots. The Coyotes have allowed 33.7 shots on goal per game, and in his last nine outings Palmieri has tallied 35 shots on net. Arizona also has the 26th-ranked penalty kill, and he has tallied 17 power-play points. Smith and the Coyotes may pull out a win, but that doesn't mean Palmieri can't have a good game. If he does, at this relatively low price he could be a steal.
DEFENSE
Jake Gardiner, TOR at CAR ($4,500): Over his last nine games, Gardiner has tallied eight points. Additionally, he's averaged 2:31 per game on the power play, and he's notched 10 points with the extra man in 66 games. The Hurricanes have the eighth-ranked penalty kill overall, but in February they ranked 20th, and in March they rank 27th. Carolina also has averaged 57.5 shot attempts per 60 minutes, which is 10th most in the NHL. Gardiner has blocked 66 shots, and he could easily add to that total in this matchup.
Dion Phaneuf, OTT at COL ($4,200): The Avalanche have the 25th-ranked penalty kill, and Phaneuf has notched 16 power-play points this season. He's also tallied 137 shots on net in 66 games, and the Avalanche have allowed 32.1 shots on net per contest. Plus, Phaneuf has added 127 blocked shots, so he could end up helping your fantasy lineup on both ends of the ice.
