This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
2022 has arrived. What will it bring us? Well, I know this much: There will be nine NHL games today. And even that I can't be sure about given recent postponements. Five of those contests are in the afternoon, but it's New Year's Day and you're probably off work, so I'm going to provide recommendations for the full slate. That means you'll need your lineup in by 1 p.m. ET.
SLATE PREVIEW
The big matchup is the Wild-Blues. Not necessarily because of the teams involved, but more to do with it being the outdoor game. The Oilers are the only team on the second leg of a back-to-back.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA vs. MON ($8,500): Bobrovsky has picked up his play after a couple rough years in Florida with a 2.49 GAA and .917 save percentage. He also gets plenty of offensive support with the Panthers supplying 3.74 goals per game. That gives Bob a strong chance of picking up a win, especially given the Habs only average a league-second-lowest averaging 2.10 goals.
Juuse Saros, NAS vs. CHI ($7,500): Saros enters with a 2.29 GAA and .923 save percentage. He may have allowed four goals on 36 shots in his last start, but that was after returning from a long absence. We've been seeing some iffy goaltending since the league recently resumed, but the Finn will find his form. After all, he posted an 1.89 GAA/.932 line over his last 10 appearances. As for the Blackhawks, they've managed a mere 2.30 goals and 27.5 shots on net per contest.
VALUE PLAYS
Elias Pettersson, VAN at SEA ($6,300): Pettersson has started a robust 69.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Canucks. His 8.1 shooting percentage has held his numbers down a bit, but he does have four points in his last five outings. Kraken come in with a 3.63 GAA, thanks to the NHL's worst team save percentage.
Michael Bunting, TOR vs. OTT ($5,000): Bunting has enjoyed the benefit of playing on Auston Matthews' wing. And with Mitch Marner expected back for this game and hop back on the top line, that should only help Bunting. Meanwhile, the Senators maintain a 3.61 GAA while allowing an average of 33.7 shots on goal.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Panthers vs. Canadiens: Sam Reinhart (C - $6,700), Jonathan Huberdeau (W - $8,700), Anthony Duclair (W - $6,000)
Like I said, the Panthers have put up 3.74 goals per game. You don't do that without a couple strong lines at your disposal. The Habs have been awful defensively and are also dealing with a few COVID-19 and injury issues. On top of that, they've also struggled with a bottom-five penalty kill.
Reinhart has produced five points in his last five contests. The former Sabre has also averaged 3:11 with the extra man. Huberdeau is the best wing on the Panthers, but he plays on the second line to spread out the talent and has recorded 38 points. Duclair has notched three goals in his last two to give him 12 on the season.
Kings vs. Flyers: Anze Kopitar (C - $6,800), Alex Iafallo (W - $6,100), Adrian Kempe (W - $5,000)
Since I know not all of you may be able to play a full slate, I thought I should include a line stack from the four evening matchups. And even if you are doing a full-day contest, this is a fine group to use. The Flyers have given up 35.0 shots on goal per game. That's the highest mark in the NHL. With Carter Hart out, that's left Martin Jones as the de fact top goalie. He sports a 3.20 GAA, and has posted an .896 save percentage over the previous three seasons.
Kopitar is still doing his thing after all these years with 28 points - including 10 on the power play - and 84 shots on goal. Iafallo has produced 10 goals and 10 assists in 32 contests, with four points in his last six appearances. Kempe has moved up to LA's top line, and that's helping him put up career-best numbers with 13 goals and three points from his last three.
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN at SEA ($6,800): Hughes is dishing out helpers like he's Gretzky, including seven assists in his last six games. That gives him a total of 25 this season, with 12 of those on the power play. The Kraken haven't been terrible on the penalty kill, though they're hovering around the bottom-10. That being said, Philipp Grubauer enters with an .882 save percentage, so that bodes well for Hughes and the Canucks.
Noah Dobson, NYI vs. EDM ($5,300): Dobson is now the Isles' top defenseman and has averaged 20:12 with 12 points and 51 shots on net. As previously mentioned, the Oilers are the lone team on consecutive days. Mikko Koskinen will likely be in net and enters with a 3.16 GAA and .902 save percentage.
