It's already the last Saturday of October. Every team in the NHL has played between seven and nine games, and we'll get some with double-digits on Saturday with seven matchups on the DFS and the first pucks dropping at 7 p.m. EDT. Here are my lineup recommendations. Good luck!
SLATE PREVIEW
Two teams are on the second day of a back-to-back as the Blue Jackets visit the Penguins while the Capitals host the Senators. And Washington were in Columbus on Friday. Beyond that, it's a little early in the season to fully figure out which matchups are lopsided (by NHL standards).
GOALIES
Thatcher Demko, VAN vs. MON ($7,600): A healthy Demko is a different story for the Canucks as he's posted a 2.24 GAA and .927 save percentage through five starts. And the last time he was at full strength, he managed a .918 save percentage. The Habs have averaged 3.56 goals, but on only 26.4 shots. That conversion rate surely can't continue.
Juuse Saros, NAS vs. LOS ($7,300): Both clubs have struggled offensively. The Predators are a bit worse and were also terrible last season, though the Kings are on the road and currently missing Anze Kopitar. Saros has been up and down, yet he's managed a 2.53 GAA and .911 save percentage and will be at home on Saturday.
VALUE PLAYS
Conor Garland, VAN vs. MON ($5,900): Garland has racked up seven points, and that's with a 9.1 shooting percentage and a career 10.6 that's still on the lower side for a top-six forward. He's also also earned a larger power-play role after 16 points with the extra man last year. Jakub Dobes has performed well, but for now Sam Montembeault seems to remain the Canadiens' No. 1 goalie. He enters with a career .898 save percentage, so I'll feel better if he's starting while I also don't fear Dobes just yet.
Jordan Eberle, SEA vs. EDM ($5,200): Eberle has been steady having notched a point in six of eight games with multiple shots on net in every outing. And for what it's worth, the Seattle captain has averaged 19:05 under new head coach Lane Lambert. The Oilers are on the first leg of a back-to-back, so we can't be certain about their netminder on Saturday. Calvin Pickard isn't a concern and the improved Stuart Skinner has still registered a .909 save percentage.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Penguins vs. Blue Jackets
Evgeni Malkin (C - $6,200), Justin Brazeau (W - $5,300), Anthony Mantha (W - $4,800)
The Blue Jackets have looked vulnerable on D with at least 30 shots against four times. Jet Greaves got the start on Friday, leaving Elvis Merzlikins for Saturday. The 31-year-old has produced an .897 save percentage the last five campaigns. Pittsburgh still boasts an impressive top line, though their second unit is worth a stack in this scenario.
Malkin loves to perform well early on to entice people into believing he may still be the player he used to be, only to fall off as his veteran legs kick in. This year, that means he's currently at 12 points through eight games. And when Malkin is going well, it benefits his wingers. Brazeau has been a pleasant surprise for the Penguins. His 33.3 shooting percentage is unsustainable, but he's tallied five goals and three assists. Mantha has three goals and three assists with at least three shots on net three times.
Red Wings vs. Blues
Dylan Larkin (C - $7,600), Alex DeBrincat (W - $7,100), Emmitt Finnie (W - $4,900)
The Blues have gotten low-quality goaltending so far as they list a 3.86 GAA. While Joel Hofer shoulders a lot of the blame, Jordan Binnington has an .885 save percentage. Don't forget he was at .900 last year. The Red Wings only have one trio really clicking now, so that's the one I'm rolling with.
Larkin is red-hot with at least one point in all eight appearances, and don't forget the captain's been a 30-goal, 70-point produced the last four seasons. DeBrincat has been both productive and unlucky with seven assists and 28 shots without any goals. Those will eventually arrive, and probably as soon as Saturday. Finnie, a seventh-round pick, has been a pleasant surprise for the Red Wings. Getting to skate with Larkin and DeBrincat helps, yet he's the only who's potted three goals while supplying four assists.
DEFENSEMEN
Colton Parayko, STL at DET ($5,600): It would appear Parayko is going to average over 23 minutes for the fifth straight season. He's tallied four assists with 13 shots and 14 blocked shots through seven outings, which includes getting five shots on net twice. The Red Wings are looking a bit dicey in net as both John Gibson and Cam Talbot maintain save percentages below .900.
Sean Walker, CAR at DAL ($4,900): Walker has averaged 23:55, including 2:15 on the power play. With Jaccob Slavin, Shayne Gostisbehere, and K'Andre Miller all hurt, he should be in for massive minutes. Walker has only posted one point, yet has notched 15 shots and 12 blocked shots. The Stars have started slowly by recording a 3.71 GAA while allowing an average of 29.6 shots. They'll likely significantly improve, but I'm willing to take a shot on Walker at this salary.
