DraftKings isn't offering a 7 p.m. EDT NHL DFS slate on Saturday. Instead, they're providing an 11-game docket starting at 5 p.m. EDT or three beginning at 8. I'm hoping enough of you can get your lineups in early, so let's look at the 5 p.m. slate. Here are my lineup recommendations.
SLATE PREVIEW
Four teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back. Washington is at home against Ottawa in an all-capital contest, though Washington played in Columbus on Friday. Speaking of which, the Blue Jackets are the other club on the second straight night as they'll be visiting the Penguins. The Leafs and Sabres will be finishing off a home-and-home in Toronto at 5 p.m. EDT as the Blue Jays went out and reached the World Series.
GOALIES
Darcy Kuemper, LOS at NAS ($8,000): Given that Kuemper posted a .921 save percentage and 2.02 GAA last year, I'm not surprised he's looked solid over his last two starts (.939) after a slow start. It's a second straight season of the Predators really struggling offensively as they've only averaged 2.38 goals per game.
Arturs Silovs, PIT vs. CLM ($7,900): The Penguins have gone to a straight-up goalie rotation, and it seems to have benefited both Tristan Jarry and Silovs. The latter has produced one subpar start, yet still lists a .919 save percentage. While Columbus has been a bit above-average on offense, they're still the only road team on the second day of a back-to-back.
Akira Schmid, VGK at FLA ($7,300): Schmid has been a mixed bag so far, which is standard for his career. There's a reason the 25-year-old hasn't grabbed a regular role, but has also received enough work in each of the last five seasons. And during two of Schmid's last three starts, he's allowed no more than one goal. The Panthers are scuffling without Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk as they've only managed 2.44 goals.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Alex DeBrincat, DET vs. STL ($6,300): DeBrincat has registered seven assists alongside 28 shots, yet hasn't produced a goal. That first marker could come on Saturday as the Blues have so far posted a 3.86 GAA.
Nick Schmaltz, UTA at MIN ($5,700): It's been a scorching start for Schmaltz with five goals and eight assists while only being held off the scoresheet once. He's also racked up five points on the power play. That stands out to me as the Wild rank 26th on the penalty kill after struggling there last year.
Rickard Rakell, PIT vs. CLM ($5,200): Rakell is riding a five-game scoring streak that could easily become six. I don't believe in Elvis Merzlikins' solid start given the fact he's finished with a sub-.900 save percentage the last three seasons. And as mentioned, the Blue Jackets will be finishing a back-to-back on the road.
FORWARD LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Blues at Red Wings
Robert Thomas (C - $5,700), Jordan Kyrou (W - $5,800), Pavel Buchnevich (W - $4,500)
Call me pessimistic based upon two rough games for the Red Wings, but I also see a team with two goalies who came in as question marks listing sub-.900 save percentages. The Blues' top line is strong enough where I'd be ready to roster them in plenty of matchups, and this one certainly seems enticing.
Thomas doesn't shoot much, yet has been a 20-goal scorer in each of the last two seasons. He's an excellent playmaker with 60 assists during each of the last two campaigns with three so far this year. Kyrou, who's reached 30 goals in each of the last three seasons, is around to finish off those Thomas passes. He's potted one goal to go with three helpers, though his 8.3 shooting percentage should improve. Buchnevich has recorded a point in five of his last six appearances with a 9.1 shooting percentage that'll likely get better.
Senators at Capitals
Dylan Cozens (C - $4,600), Tim Stutzle (W - $6,200), Drake Batherson (W - $4,900)
Don't read too much into Charlie Lindgren's numbers. He's made two starts, one was a shutout and the other saw him give up four goals on 24 shots. Lindgren is 31 and posted a .903 save percentage across three seasons with Washington. There's a reason why he's a backup, and he'll be playing behind a defense that also saw action on Friday. With Brady Tkachuk injured, the following represents Ottawa's No. 1 unit.
Cozens is enjoying his first full season with the Sens with six points, including four on the power play that will be beneficial on Saturday against the Caps' weak penalty kill. Stutzle has tallied least 70 points in each of the last three seasons and is currently at five alongside 24 shots. Batherson missed the first three outings, though has made up for it by accumulating four assists and eight shots through five matchups.
DEFENSEMEN
Vince Dunn, SEA vs. EDM ($4,900): Dunn has been really involved on offensive with five points and 21 shots. That's not too surprising considering he got up to 64 points the one time he managed to play a full season for the Kraken. Seattle could catch Calvin Pickard in net as the Oilers are on the first night of a back-to-back. And even if it's Stuart Skinner, he's allowed three goals three times while posting a sub-.900 save percentage.
Erik Karlsson, PIT vs. CLM ($4,600): Karlsson has been a 50-point blueliner in each of his first two seasons with the Penguins. While he didn't start off great, he's found his footing with five assists from his last four games. The Blue Jackets have made it a habit of allowing a lot of shots as Elvis Merzlikins has already faced 35 and 52 during two of his three appearances.
Ryan McDonagh, TAM vs. ANA ($3,100): McDonagh has started well, though it's unlikely he's suddenly going to stuff the stat sheet given in his age-36 campaign. He's still supplied three goals and two assists while coming in at a reasonable salary. And Saturday's matchup is conducive to success as the Ducks rank bottom-10 in GAA and shots allowed.
