FanDuel NHL: Saturday Targets

FanDuel NHL: Saturday Targets

This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.

SLATE PREVIEW

All 13 games will only be available on FanDuel's all day slate with the first game at 1 p.m. EDT featuring the Penguins at Devils, and then it's staggered starts until 10 p.m. with the Jets at Oilers. Please note the Bruins at Sabres matinee has been postponed.

There are several key matchups, including a potential revenge game for the Wild when they visit the Avalanche (3 p.m.) after an embarrassing loss in the series opener. The Leafs will also get a chance for redemption against the Flames (7 p.m.) after losing three straight and six of their past seven. The battle in the North continues to heat up with the Canucks visiting the Canadiens (7 p.m.) as the two teams vie for fourth place.

FanDuel Sportsbook has the Panthers (-220 vs. Predators, 2 p.m.) and Lightning (-275 vs. Blackhawks, 4 p.m.) as the heaviest favorites.

GOALIES

Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CHI ($8,600): The Blackhawks' slide continues with six defeats in their last eight, three of which came against the Lightning. Vasilevskiy has been perfect against them this season and he's aiming to win his 11th straight, although he hasn't been particularly sharp but has an elite team playing in front of him.  

James Reimer, CAR vs. CBJ ($8,100): Reimer is 2-0 against the Jackets, but he's needed plenty of goal support with eight goals allowed. The quality of the Jackets' goaltending hasn't changed all that much, although they still have trouble scoring goals consistently nearly two months after the Patrik Laine trade. Needless to say, the Canes are the better team.

Tristan Jarry, PIT at NJ ($8,000): Scott Wedgewood made 40 saves and stole the game for the Devils last time. And while generating offense without Evgeni Malkin has been difficult, the Pens come into this matchup as the favorites. Jarry made 32 saves and was generally solid and note Wedgewood has been inconsistent for most of his career having only posted consecutive starts of .925 Sv% or better six times over his NHL career.

Chris Driedger, FLA vs. NSH ($7,800): Driedger's game has fallen off a little bit, but it's still a favorable matchup against the Predators. Nashville's scoring isn't very good and they only managed to win the last one because Juuse Saros made 40 saves.

Anton Khudobin, DAL at DET ($7,300): It was a surprising defeat at the hands of the Detroit Robby Fabbri Red Wings, and the hunch is the Stars will get a little luckier after putting 40 shots on net. After Jonathan Bernier was hurt, Thomas Greiss allowed two goals on 18 shots and will likely get the start despite a .883 Sv% on the season.

VALUE PLAYS

Jimmy Vesey, VAN at MON ($3,400): Vesey played 18 minutes in his Canucks debut and registered two shots. Depth is a problem for the Canucks, and he's getting an opportunity to play top-six minutes and might even figure on to the power play. Nils Hoglander ($3,600) also comes in as a decent play.

Oliver Wahlstrom, NYI vs. PHI ($3,900): Wahlstrom has scored three goals across his past four games, providing the Isles some much-needed offensive depth. He's playing on the third line, but also operated on PP2. Also, the Flyers' goaltending has been vulnerable all season.

Jason Robertson, DAL at DET ($4,000): Robertson produced a strong effort against Detroit with three shots and an apple, firmly entrenching himself as a top-six forward. Greiss should be an easier target for Robertson, who also has 11 shots in his past four.

LINE STACKS

Lightning vs. Blackhawks

Yanni Gourde (C - $4,100), Steven Stamkos (W - $7,700), Alex Killorn (W - $4,900)

They've combined for 25 points in six games against the Blackhawks, including four power-play goals. The Hawks' defense was already below average and now their goaltending is off, as they've lost five of their past six with 26 goals allowed in those defeats.

Islanders vs. Flyers

Mathew Barzal (C - $6,700), Kieffer Bellows (W - $3,300), Jordan Eberle (W - $6,100)

This trio was shut out last game, so maybe head coach Barry Trotz will juggle the lines. But if they stay intact, this is the Isles' best group and all three play on PP1. The Flyers' goaltending has been atrocious and haven't been able to keep opponents to two goals or less since their back-to-back shutouts against the Sabres in late February.

Hurricanes vs. Blue Jackets

Sebastian Aho (C - $7,600), Nino Niederreiter (W - $5,100), Martin Necas (W - $4,600)

Aho accounted for of Carolina's goals last game and Niederreiter and Necas have combined for five points in four games against the Jackets. Without Vincent Trocheck, this has been Carolina's go-to scoring line.

Stars at Red Wings

Jason Dickinson (W - $3,700), Jamie Benn (W - $6,600), Alexander Radulov (W - $5,700)

Dickinson is listed as a winger, but is expected to center the top line. He scored a goal last game and both Benn and Radulov are heavily leaned upon with both skating around 20 minutes. The Stars' forwards should be salivating over their chance to shoot pucks on Greiss.

DEFENSEMEN

Tyson Barrie, EDM vs. WPG ($6,200): A so-so Jets' PK that ranks 17th is the only reason why Barrie is in the same conversation as the five defensemen above him in salary. Being able to pass the puck to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl on the power play is a luxury no one else has, while his recent offensive spurt puts him in the elite D category. A similar argument - but to a much lesser extent - can also be made for Darnell Nurse ($5,700).

Kris Letang, PIT at NJ ($6,100): The Pens will rely on Letang more than usual with Malkin out of the lineup. And to Letang's credit, he's been very good with five points over his past four contests.

John Klingberg, DAL at DET ($5,500): Klingberg notched an assist and five shots on goal despite the loss last time out. He should continue to play a big role for the Stars and it's a great matchup for the Stars with Greiss expected to start.

Zach Werenski, CBJ at CAR ($4,900): Werenski extended his point streak to five games Thursday and generally offers more offensive upside than Seth Jones. The Canes are good, but goaltending is definitely their weakest spot and it hasn't been nearly as solid recently with seven goals allowed in two losses.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Chen
Jason won the 2021 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year award, and was also a finalist on 2019. He joined RotoWire in 2013. Jason has also written for Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, The Hockey News, The Hockey Hall of Fame's Legends Magazine, and Centre Ice Magazine.
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