This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's the first Saturday of March, and what does it have in store for us? How about eight NHL games in the evening? The slate starts at 7:00 PM ET, and here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, CGY vs. MIN ($8,100): I don't know what's gotten into Smith, but it's turned him into a brick wall recently. In his last six starts, he's 5-0-1 with an 1.98 GAA and .930 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Wild have had a pretty punchless offense, as they've only managed 2.73 goals per game.
CENTER
Aleksander Barkov, FLA vs. CAR ($7,400): Barkov has been on a tear recently, as he's sporting a seven-game point streak. In fact, in that time he's tallied a whopping 15 points. The Hurricanes are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and Petr Mrazek will likely be in net. He's posted a .903 save percentage, which isn't terribly concerning.
Anthony Cirelli, TAM vs. OTT ($3,900): Cirelli isn't a big name at center like Steven Stamkos and Brayden Point, but the 21-year-old is holding his own providing depth. The rookie pivot also has four goals and three assists in his last 11 games. This is all about the matchup to me, though. The Senators have a 4.45 road GAA and have given up 36.3 shots on net per contest away from home to boot.
WING
Kasperi Kapanen, TOR vs. BUF ($4,800): Kapanen is skating on Toronto's second line with Auston Matthews as his center, which certainly benefits the young Finn. Case in point, he has nine points in his last nine contests. Things have gone less well for the Sabres recently. In February, they had a 3.77 GAA, highest in the NHL.
Clayton Keller, ARI vs. DET ($4,400): Keller has started 68.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Coyotes. Though he's been snakebit a lot of the year, as his 7.9 percent shooting shows, he has a point in each of his last three games. It seems likely he can make it four, as the Red Wings have a 3.57 GAA on the road.
Zach Aston-Reese, PIT at MON ($3,900): After returning from a lengthy absence, Aston-Reese has five points in his last six games. The fact he's currently on a line with Evgeni Malkin and Phil Kessel certainly helps. Both the Penguins and the Canadiens are playing their second game in as many nights, but for the Canadiens that likely means Antti Niemi in net. That's the same Niemi who has a 3.75 GAA and .889 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS vs. NJD ($5,600): Since getting over an early-season injury, Krug has been absolutely on fire. He's notched six goals on 122 shots and added 40 assists in 53 games. If that's not enough, he's tallied 14 points in his last 15 contests. Meanwhile, the Devils have a 4.00 road GAA, and they are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back.
Jake Muzzin, TOR vs. BUF ($4,700): Things have gone well for Muzzin since he was swapped between the Kings and Maple Leafs. In 15 games with Toronto he has seven points, 25 shots on net, and 25 blocked shots. As previously noted, the Sabres had a 3.77 GAA in February, and are also another team playing away from home on the second leg of a back-to-back.
