This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There was only one NHL game Friday, but Saturday more than makes up for that. We've got 14 games on the slate, although a lot of them are in the afternoon. The first batch of games starts at 1:00 PM ET, so you'll have to get your lineup in early to maximize your options. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
Carter Hart, PHI vs. ANA ($8,700): Hart, who was the top goaltending prospect in hockey before making his debut, has lived up to the hype so far by posting a 2.48 GAA and .925 save percentage. However, I'm just as excited about this matchup as I am of Hart's personal performance since the Ducks have averaged a mere 2.00 goals and 25.5 shots on net per game on the road.
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. COL ($6,600): Barzal isn't getting as much attention as he got as a rookie, but he's repeated the performance that won him the Calder last year. He's notched 16 goals and 48 points through 53 games, including 18 points with the extra man. The Avalanche have plummeted down the rankings defensively the last couple of months and have overall produced a 3.32 GAA and the 28th-ranked penalty kill.
Bryan Little, WPG at OTT ($5,200): Little has recently picked up the pace considerably recently, tallying seven goals and seven assists over his last 14 games. As for the Senators, they've pretty much been the worst defensive team in the NHL all season – including a league-high 3.69 GAA.
WING
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. ANA ($7,200): Voracek has notched 14 points in his last 12 games, registering at least one point in nine of his last 10 contests. He's also put 137 shots on net, which should come into play in this matchup. The Ducks have allowed 34.2 shots on net per game. John Gibson's numbers have dipped, and he's also banged up. That could mean Chad Johnson with his 3.54 GAA and .884 save percentage will start in net.
Jakub Vrana, WAS vs. FLA ($4,500): The rare chance to double down on guys named Jakub! Vrana has come into his own this season, racking up 16 goals and 16 assists in 54 games. As for the Panthers, they come in with a 3.81 road GAA and, more strikingly, an .872 save percentage in away contests.
Kevin Labanc, SAN at EDM ($4,000): Labanc has started 62.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest among Sharks forwards. He's also notched 13 power-play points in 55 games. The Oilers, who enter with a 3.31 GAA, have received poor goaltending recently from both Mikko Koskinen and Cam Talbot and they also own the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. DET ($5,200): Ristolainen is riding a three-game point streak, and at least one point in seven of his last eight contests. That gives him 35 points in 53 games, including 11 with the extra man. Not too shabby for the second-most-famous Rasmus on the Sabres. As for the Red Wings, they have struggled to a 3.50 road GAA and have allowed 33.9 shots on net in away contests.
Ryan Suter, MIN at NJD ($4,800): Despite being 34, Suter has averaged 26:45 per game in ice time. It's paid off, as he has recorded 36 points, including nine in his last 11 contests. The Devils sport a 3.34 GAA, which is bad. But things are even bleaker at the moment, with projected starter Keith Kinkaid having posted a 3.93 GAA and .871 save percentage over his last 11 appearances.
