This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
FanDuel's slate as of Sunday night includes two games that have been postponed already – Lightning at Devils and Senators at Oilers, which has been re-scheduled for Saturday – which means there are only three games for DFS managers to choose from on Monday.
Storylines for Monday include: the Caps' three-game winning streak on the line hosting the Bruins, the Avs being dominant once again hosting the Kraken and the Rangers trying to survive for another stretch without Igor Shesterkin, who was placed in COVID protocol Thursday, as they visit the Kings.
GOALIES
Darcy Kuemper, COL vs. SEA ($8,200): Kuemper will be the most expensive goalie since Andrei Vasilevskiy and the Lightning will not be playing Monday. Kuemper will be popular on a light slate and the Kraken shouldn't pose much of a challenge. This will be Kuemper's first time facing the Kraken, who have been better on the road than at home, but still by far the worst team in the Pacific.
Linus Ullmark, BOS at WSH ($7,600): This is pretty good value for the B's, who have won four of their past five, including 5-2 most recently against the Lightning. The Caps, meanwhile, have lost three straight, though two of them were in extra time, but more worryingly may still be without T.J. Oshie and Nicklas Backstrom. Ullmark has won three in a row and has not allowed more than three goals since Nov. 11.
VALUE PLAYS
Arthur Kaliyev, LA vs. NYR ($4,500): The Kings' COVID situation makes their lineup difficult to predict, but expect Kaliyev to maybe play more minutes if they play with 11 forwards. The Uzbek-born American sniper has not scored since Dec. 16, but does have two helpers in his past three games. If Shesterkin doesn't play, it increases the chances of Kaliyev scoring.
Craig Smith, BOS at WSH ($4,400): Smith is expected to play on the top line once again, though he hasn't done much with his opportunity. He has not scored in four games and for a player who's generally been pretty good at generating shots at 5-on-5, he has just three goals this season. It's good value due to his role with an increased chance of scoring a point if Ilya Samsonov is not starting.
Alex Newhook, COL vs. SEA ($3,900): The Avs are so deep and so good at scoring, centering the third line still comes with plenty of offensive opportunities. Newhook is a highly-touted prospect who has a goal and six shots in his past three games. If the Avs blow out the Kraken early on, which is entirely possible, Newhook might get a bit more ice time. The Kraken are thin down the middle, which works to Newhooks' advantage.
LINE STACKS
Avalanche vs. Kraken
Nazem Kadri (C - $9,800), Logan O'Connor (W - $4,600), Andre Burakovsky (W - $6,000)
LOC has been quiet lately with zero points in his past three games, but at the very least he brings the cost of this line stack down a little. Kadri's torrid space continues with six points in his past four games following the holiday break, so he's worth the price against a weak opponent. Burakovsky still doesn't shoot the puck very often but he's scored three helpers in four games.
DEFENSEMEN
Bowen Byram, COL vs. SEA ($5,300): Byram's a great way to get exposure to an elite offense that generates a lot of chances from their blue line. His ice time fluctuates depending on game flow, but it rarely dips below 18 minutes, and he's registered at least one shot on goal in seven straight games.
Mark Giordano, SEA at COL ($5,100): If Vince Dunn doesn't play, expect Giordano to get the vast majority of the power play minutes. The Avs are an elite team save for their penalty kill, which is the fifth-worst in the league. This is a pure matchup play, otherwise Giordano hasn't been very productive this season and the Avs are heavily favored, but there aren't many options with just a three-game slate.
