This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The main Saturday slate of contests on DraftKings consists of seven games, the earliest of which start at 5:00 PM ET. Oddly, this only cuts off one game, a matchup between Anaheim and Los Angeles that kicks off at 4:00. While you do have the opportunity to play just the four games starting before seven if you would like, this list of players to target will focus on that fuller seven-game slate.
GOALIE
Robin Lehner, BUF at COL ($7,900): While Lehner's last start was rough, his .925 save percentage on the season is much more encouraging. Besides, you don't need to be a great goalie to have a good game against the woeful Avalanche. Colorado has only scored 1.97 goals per game, and the next worst team, New Jersey, has averaged 2.27 goals per game. The Avalanche aren't just bad offensively, as they've allowed a league-worst 3.31 goals per game as well. Don't worry about Buffalo having to try and win on the road either. Colorado is 7-20-2 at home.
CENTER
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF at COL ($5,900): As was just mentioned above, the Avalanche have given up more goals per game on average than any team in the NHL. They've also allowed 32.3 shots on goal per contest, and their penalty kill ranks 26th. Buffalo has one of the league's best power plays, and O'Reilly has been a big part of that. He's tallied 18 points with the extra man despite the fact he's only played in 50 games. He's has also notched 140 shots in 50 games,
Nathan MacKinnon, COL vs. BUF ($5,700): Yes, Colorado has been terrible, but MacKinnon has largely been able to rise above it. He's averaged 3.3 fantasy points per game, and he's tallied 189 shots on net in 59 games. Despite that, he only has 12 goals, owing to his notably low 6.3 shooting percentage. Playing on a bad team could be hurting him there, but it's just as likely that he's had bad puck luck, which could turn around at any time. Being a prolific shooter is quite beneficial against Buffalo, as the Sabres have allowed a league-high 34.2 shots on goal per game. MacKinnon also has 11 power-play points while playing 2:52 per game with the extra man. Buffalo has the 29th-ranked penalty kill, so this could also bode well for him.
WING
William Nylander, TOR vs. MON ($5,400): Despite the presence of Carey Price, the Canadiens only have the 22nd-ranked penalty kill. Toronto, meanwhile, has the league's best power play, and Nylander leads the team with a whopping 19 power play points. He's also tallied 11 total points in his last 11 games, and he's notched 151 shots on goal in 59 games. Additionally, Price hasn't been his usual self since the beginning of 2017, as in the 19 games he's played since the calendar turned he has a 2.93 GAA and a .903 save percentage.
Sam Reinhart, BUF at COL ($4,900): Reinhart missed Buffalo's last two games, but that was with an illness, and the Sabres are now coming off their bye week. He should be good to go, and before he got sick he had seven points in eight games, and had tallied 22 shots on net in those contests. Reinhart has also excelled on the power play, as he's averaged 3:09 a night with the extra man with 15 points. Colorado, as previously noted, has the 26th-ranked penalty kill, and that's actually relatively good compared to where they rank in most categories. A healthy, rested Reinhart could be a tremendous value at this price in this matchup.
Chris Kunitz, PIT vs. PHI ($4,800): This game is being played outside, which is an unusual variable, but outdoor games have become common enough that they aren't really reason for concern at this point. Kunitz is now skating on Pittsburgh's top line, which means he's playing with Sidney Crosby as his center. That's always a good thing for a winger, and Kunitz's career-low 9.0 shooting percentage could be set to rise. The Flyers will be starting Michal Neuvirth, who has a 2.84 GAA and a .888 save percentage, in net. That's another point in Kunitz's favor.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at COL ($5,600): Ristolainen has been fantastic on the power play, as he's notched 20 points with the extra man already. He's also played a staggering 26:58 per game, and getting that much ice time against lowly Colorado can't be bad for his fantasy potential. While Ristolainen only has four goals, he's taken 138 shots on net, so it's not like he doesn't put pucks on goal. He's also blocked 136 shots. Colorado's offense likely won't generate as many shot attempts as most teams, but Ristolainen could add a little fantasy value on the defensive end of the ice.
Jeff Petry, MON at TOR ($4,300): Petry has averaged a nice 3.1 fantasy points per game. To find a defenseman averaging more, you have to get up to Erik Johnson, who is just returning from a serious leg injury and who will also cost you $5,200. Toronto has a great offense, but defensively they are questionable. The Leafs have allowed 2.87 goals and 32.6 shots on net per game. Petry has notched 133 shots on goal, and he's also blocked 109 shots. Toronto is one of the top teams in the league when it comes to shot attempts, so Petry should have plenty of opportunities to get in front of the puck.
