This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
On Monday, if you're a sports fan there is a good chance you will be watching the college football title game. However, while you do that, you can also play daily fantasy hockey by shrewdly selecting players from Monday's four games. We're here to try and make that easier.
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA at NJD ($7,700): Luongo is day-to-day, but if he can play, he's a good choice here. The Devils are tied for dead last in shots on goal per game, and they are only averaging 2.24 goals per contest. Luongo has posted a .919 save percentage this season, a solid number. If he is unable to play, James Reimer ($7,500) is a good backup option.
CENTER
Mikael Backlund, CGY at WPG ($5,900): While Backlund didn't manage a point in his last game, before that goose egg he had at least one point in six straight. The Jets are giving up 2.98 goals per game, and they have the 26th-ranked penalty kill. For his part, Backlund has nine power-play points, including five goals with the extra man.
Vincent Trocheck, FLA at NJD ($5,800): The Devils don't take a lot of shots, but they give up quite a few (31.3 per game). Trocheck has put 116 shots on goal in 41 games, so he's the kind of player who can take advantage of this matchup. He's also averaging 21:29 per tilt, which is a lot for a forward, so he should have several opportunities to notch some fantasy points.
WING
Jeff Carter, LOS vs. DAL ($7,200): Carter is having a fantastic season, tallying 22 goals and 127 shots in 40 games. Even if his shooting percentage goes down, he should be fine as long as he continues to average more than three shots on goal per contest. The Stars are allowing 3.03 goals per game, so they may not be the opponent that slows Carter down.
Jonathan Marchessault, FLA at NJD ($5,000): Since returning from injury, Marchessault has five points and 20 shots in eight games. That's not quite the pace he was on early in the season, but he certainly hasn't fallen off a cliff. The Devils' generosity when it comes to allowing shots has already been mentioned, but on top of that they are giving up 2.90 goals per game.
Tanner Pearson, LOS vs. DAL ($5,000): Pearson has picked up his play recently, notching seven points and 27 shots in his last eight games. He's averaging a career high in minutes, and his power-play time is way up. Pearson is playing 2:20 a night with the extra man, and the Stars have the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSE
Alec Martinez, LOS vs. DAL ($4,900): Martinez will cost you less than Drew Doughty ($5,200) even though Martinez is averaging more fantasy points per game (3.3 to 3.1). In addition to taking 79 shots on goal, he has also blocked 85. The Stars' offense isn't what it was last season, but his penchant for shot blocking also helps his fantasy potential.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at NJD ($4,700): As previously stated, the Devils give up quite a few shots. Ekblad puts a bunch of pucks on net, as he's already notched 139 shots in 41 games. Additionally, while he only has four power-play points, he's playing 3:14 a night with the extra man. Eventually, that point total should improve, especially because Ekblad's shooting percentage is the lowest of his career by a couple percentage points.
