This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
GOALIE
Anders Nilsson, BUF vs. VAN ($7,800) – Things have been going his way at the First Niagara Center all season. Nilsson still got the win against San Jose in his previous home start despite allowing five goals, and sports a 7-1-1 record with a .941 save percentage and 2.07 GAA. Even head coach Dan Bylsma is a little perplexed why Nilsson's been so dominant at home, and it's certainly not because the Sabres have been selective with their starts, either (Nilsson's defeated the Penguins, Rangers and Oilers). The Canucks, who are also playing the second half of a back-to-back, are one of the league's weakest offensive teams, so the Sabres should be able to keep the goals allowed to a minimum despite missing key bodies on the blue line.
WINGERS
Jamie Benn, DAL at NSH ($8,300) – The Stars' 155 goals for is the sixth highest total in the Western Conference, once again thanks to the consistent brilliant play of their team captain. Since turning the calendar, Benn has scored 13 points in 13 games, and failed to register a point in only four contests. Although Pekka Rinne has won five of his past seven games, the Predators have allowed 30 shots or more in five of those, and the Stars' offense is just too explosive not to get pucks past Rinne.
Max Pacioretty, MON at BOS ($7,700) – No one has been able to stop the Habs' captain from lighting the lamp, as he's scored 22 goals and 33 points in his past 33 games. He is scoring at a better rate than at any other extended stretch of his career, and should easily post his fourth consecutive 30-goal, 60-point season. The Bruins are 2-0 under interim coach Bruce Cassidy but have allowed six goals in their past two games, again highlighting their defensive struggles this season.
Evander Kane, BUF vs. VAN ($6,300) – When Kane is at his best, nothing short of a brick wall will prevent him from driving to the net and causing all sorts of chaos in the offensive zone with his size, strength and skill. He's been on a roll recently with four goals in three games, and it's hard to envision a skill-oriented defense like Vancouver's keeping him in check. Also, the hand injury that Kane suffered when he scored the overtime winner against San Jose on Feb. 7 doesn't seem to be bothering him at all.
Viktor Arvidsson, NSH vs. DAL ($5,500) – One of the most underrated players this season, Arvidsson is a high volume shooter who has picked up most of the slack with Filip Forsberg and James Neal having subpar seasons. The Predators have been on a bit of a roll and Arvidsson is a big reason why — he's scored six goals in his past five games, including a hat trick on eight shots on net against Florida. Arvidsson's 169 shots this season currently ranks 20th in the league and leads Forsberg by 18 for the team lead.
CENTERS
John Tavares, NYI vs. COL ($8,000) – He's been playing terrific hockey since January, single-handedly reversing the Islanders' season from afterthought to playoff contender. Though he has just one assist in his past four games, he's got a juicy matchup against the horrific Avalanche at home, and if for some crazy reason the Islanders get blanked, Tavares will at least end the game with a few shots on goal.
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs. DAL ($6,400) – An elite player going up against a dumpster fire of a goaltending situation is always a good bet — between Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi's combined 66 appearances, they have recorded just 22 wins and one shutout. Johansen was held off the scoresheet even though the Predators scored four times against Florida, but that could be because he was going head-to-head against franchise two-way player Aleksander Barkov, and prior to that had scored a goal and three assists in four games. The Predators' offense is so talented and the Stars' goaltending so poor that Johansen should be able to collect a point or two.
DEFENSE
Shea Weber, MON at BOS ($5,700) – The Bruins allow just 26.5 shots per game, the second best mark in the league, but still have not really been able to clamp down on defense, allowing three goals against Vancouver in their previous outing. The good thing about Weber is that even if he doesn't score, he provides plenty of peripheral stats including shots on goal and blocked shots, and he's still the main trigger-man for the Habs' fifth-ranked power play.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. VAN ($5,000) – Already an all-time favorite of mine, Ristolainen is a do-it-all defenseman who has three points in his past five games with a total of 10 shots on goal and 17 blocked shots. Even though the Sabres played the Leafs on Saturday, their blue line is banged up and head coach Dan Bylsma will be leaning on him heavily, or at least until the game is comfortably out of reach.
