This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It feels like just yesterday the puck dropped to begin the NHL season. However, we're actually over a month into the campaign now. The small sample sizes aren't so small any more, and we're starting to get a real sense of what this season is going to be. There are eight games Saturday night, starting at 7:00 PM ET, and here are some players to consider for your lineup.
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. NYI ($8,000): We can't really look at Luongo's numbers this season, as he's only played in three games. However, last year he had a 2.47 GAA and .929 save percentage. The Islanders have scored 3.07 goals per game, which is middle of the pack, but they've only managed 26.8 shots on net per contest, second fewest in the NHL.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR at CLM ($6,700): Last year, Zibanejad scored 27 goals in 72 games, including 14 on the power play. This year, he has six goals, and he's put a whopping 63 shots on net through 16 contests. The Blue Jackets had a game in Washington on Friday night, so this is their second game of a back-to-back. Joonas Korpisalo will likely be in net, and he has a 3.80 GAA and .884 save percentage.
Alex Galchenyuk, ARI at PIT ($5,400): Galchenyuk has started 67.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone with his new team, second highest among Coyotes forwards. They may want to keep that going, as the 24-year-old has six points in seven games. The Penguins have allowed 33.2 shots on goal per contest, and they will likely be starting Matt Murray. He has a 3.87 GAA and .886 save percentage.
WING
Jonathan Marchessault, VGK at MON ($6,800): Marchessault came up big in his first season with the Golden Knights, scoring 27 goals on 268 shots. This year, his minutes are up, and he's got seven goals on 69 shots and added seven assists. Antti Niemi is starting for the Canadiens, and he has a .893 save percentage this season. Beyond that, he has a .913 save percentage in his career.
Yanni Gourde, TAM vs. OTT ($6,400): Gourde has a four-game point streak, and he has nine points in his last seven games. Though he has an 18.4 shooting percentage, that's also what his shooting percentage was over a full 82 games last season. Besides, scoring on the Senators has proven to be quite easy. They have a 4.19 GAA and have given up a whopping 39.3 shots on net per contest.
Cam Atkinson, CLM vs. NYR ($6,000): Atkinson got off to a hot start to the season, as he had 11 points in his first 10 games. He doesn't have any points in his last five games, but he's put 15 shots on goal, so he's staying active. The Rangers are on the road for the second game of the back-to-back, and they will likely be starting Alexandar Georgiev. He has a 3.61 GAA and .897 save percentage, and last season in his first NHL action he had a 3.15 GAA. Atkinson did miss Friday's game with an illness, so keep an eye on him, but if he's over it he will have more rest than almost anybody else in this game.
DEFENSE
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. DET ($4,900): Faulk isn't off to a great start with seven points in 16 games, but his 2.0 shooting percentage is likely to improve. After all, he's scored at least 15 goals in three previous seasons. The Hurricanes are catching the Red Wings on the second night of a back-to-back, and Detroit will likely be starting Jonathan Bernier in net. The 30-year-old netminder has a 4.21 GAA and .873 save percentage this season.
Dennis Cholowski, DET at CAR ($4,200): Playing for a bad Wings team, Cholowski is flying under the radar, but he's off to an interesting start in his rookie season. He's notched eight points in 14 games, including six on the power play. The Hurricanes rank 28th on the penalty kill, so perhaps the 20-year-old defenseman will be able to take advantage of that.
