This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
A Saturday in the fall is always a busy day on the sporting calendar. That's certainly the case in the NHL, as there are 12 games taking place. Soon all the leaves will be brown, and the sky will be gray, but hopefully before that we can help you make some good selections for your DFS team.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN at NJD ($7,800): Dubnyk is off to a slow start to the season with a .901 save percentage. However, he was good last year (.918 save percentage) and great with Minnesota the year prior to that (.936 save percentage). The Devils were bad on offense last year, and they've only scored six goals in four games this year. This is as much about Jersey's paltry offense, and Minnesota's winning opportunity, as it is Dubnyk's play.
CENTER
Aleksander Barkov, FLA vs. COL ($6,200): The Avalanche may have blanked the Lightning in their last game, but they had issues with goal prevention in the three prior games (admittedly against stiff competition) and they let in 240 goals last season. So it's still a good matchup for Barkov, who emerged as a top center last year and who has five points in four games while playing more than 20 minutes a night this season.
Paul Stastny, STL at CGY ($5,100): Last year, Stastny had a forgettable, injury-shortened campaign. This year, he has six points in five games. Just as importantly, Stastny's former teammate Brian Elliott is having a nightmarish start to his season (and his backup Chad Johnson doesn't instill fear in opponents either). This is a very favorable matchup, and a player with Stastny's track record and hot start seems like a steal at $5,100.
WING
Jason Spezza, DAL vs. CLM ($5,900): The long-time center is now listed as a winger, and when healthy he's been a lock to get over 200 shots on goal in his career. Of course, health has often been a problem for Spezza, but it isn't currently. Columbus has gotten off to a poor start to the season, and they will be on the second night of a back-to-back here. On top of Spezza's skills, he has that going for him.
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. CAR ($5,800): Carolina's combo of Cam Ward and Eddie Lack is perhaps the NHL's worst netminding duo. Voracek, who struggled last year en route to scoring 11 goals, has zero so far this year but he does have four assists and 10 shots on goal. Last year was probably a fluke, and eventually Voracek is going to light the lamp. It could easily happen in this game, and he is reasonably priced to boot.
Tanner Pearson, LAK vs. VAN ($4,200): Yes, Vancouver is currently undefeated and has only given up six goals in four games, but some small sample size skepticism is warranted. The Canucks let in 243 goals last season and Ryan Miller, who is now 36, has been a league average goalie at best with Vancouver. Pearson has only played in two games so far, but he still has three goals and four points. This is a great price for a player of Pearson's potential.
DEFENSEMEN
Zach Werenski, CLM at DAL ($4,300): Werenski came into the year as a highly touted prospect, and it seems like he's hitting the ground running to start his NHL career. With a goal and an assist against Chicago on Friday, he now has four points in three games. More importantly, he has 13 shots on goal already. Now he gets to go up against Dallas and their less-than-stellar defense and goaltending? At this rate, he's looking like a Calder finalist candidate, and a great value Saturday.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA vs. COL ($4,200): Ekblad doesn't have a point yet this season, but that's not going to remain the case much longer. The 20-year-old stud defenseman has taken 13 shots so far, and he's playing more than 24 minutes a game. He's too good to be kept off the score sheet much longer, and as previously mentioned there is reason to believe this matchup with the Avalanche is a good one. Ekblad's slow start may be the reason he only costs $4,200 on Saturday. Why not take advantage?
