This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It's a busy weekend in the world of the NHL. After 14 games Friday, there are 11 games Saturday. That means quite a few teams are on the second night of back-to-backs, and things could get pretty crazy. With that in mind, here are some enticing options for daily fantasy.
GOALIE
Montreal Canadiens, MON vs. BUF ($16,400):Carey Price will finally return to action Saturday. Yes, he played poorly before his injury, but if you can't trust Price's track record, what can you trust? Buffalo is on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and the Sabres are 2-6-2 in their last 10 games. Additionally, Buffalo averaged 2.36 goals per game before scoring three against Edmonton on Friday.
CENTER
Nathan MacKinnon, COL vs. CGY ($12,800): The Flames have a tricky situation in net at the moment. They just sent Eddie Lack down, meaning the unproven David Rittich is now Mike Smith's backup. Smith played Friday, which means Rittich could start this game. Even with no points Friday, MacKinnon has been on a tear recently. He has 20 points in his last 11 games, including five on the power play.
Jonathan Marchessault, VGK at ARI ($11,700): The Coyotes also have a sketchy goaltending situation. Antti Raanta is hurt, and Scott Wedgewood started Friday. Either Wedgewood is going to start again, or Marek Langenhammer is going to be called upon. Considering the Coyotes have the highest team GAA in the NHL, it's going to be a great matchup for Marchessault regardless. For his part, Marchessault had three points Friday, and has had multi-point outings in three of his last four contests.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI at FLA ($14,700): Kane has started 64.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second most among Chicago forwards. He's also averaged 4:09 per game with the extra man, and he's tallied six power-play points through 21 games. The Panthers have allowed a whopping 35.7 shots on net per game, and Kane has tallied 73 shots on goal.
Mark Stone, OTT vs. NYI ($13,300): With an assist Friday, Stone now has 22 points through 21 games. This despite the fact he has only two power-play points even though he's averaged 3:42 per game with the extra man. He had 14 power-play points in 71 games last year, so we know he can do it. Thomas Greiss got the start Friday, which likely means Jaroslav Halak (3.14 GAA, .896 save percentage) in net for the Islanders.
Brendan Gallagher, MON vs. BUF ($9,400): Montreal is one of the only teams that didn't play Friday that is getting an opponent on the second night of a back-to-back. That bodes well for the Habs, and for Gallagher. He's notched nine goals on 69 shots through 23 games. Since Robin Lehner started Friday, Chad Johnson (3.59 GAA, .885 save percentage) should be tending the goal for the Sabres.
DEFENSEMEN
John Carlson, WAS at TOR ($10,200): The Maple Leafs had allowed 33.8 shots on net per game before Friday, when they gave up 47 to the Hurricanes. Now, they have to either start Frederik Andersen on back-to-back nights or Curtis McElhinney (3.05 GAA, .910 save percentage) in goal. Carlson is off to a hot start, with 18 points through 23 games, including 10 on the power play. That's despite the fact he has a 2.9 shooting percentage, which would be the lowest of his career.
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. ANA ($9,900): Muzzin picked up an assist Friday, breaking a six-game scoreless streak. He's notched 61 shots on goal through 23 games, and he's also blocked 53 shots. The Ducks had allowed a league-high 36.7 shots on net per game before giving up 35 Friday. Muzzin should have plenty of chances to put the puck on the net on this one, and that's with backup netminder Ryan Miller likely in goal.
