This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's a busier Monday than usual for the NHL, as there are eight games on the slate. Perhaps the league thought to gift us with some added hockey action to help ease people back into the work week. Or maybe they know March Madness is fast approaching, and who wants to compete with that monster? Whatever the reason, you've got more options than your typical Monday. Here are the players who look like intriguing values.
GOALIE
Jonathan Quick, LOS vs. STL ($7,700): Quick has been up-and-down since returning from injury, but on the season the Kings have only allowed 2.46 goals per game. That's largely because they've given up a league-low 25.9 shots on net per contest. The Blues, meanwhile, have only averaged 27.6 shots on goal per game. Additionally, while the Blues have been good at home, they are only 15-16-1 on the road. It seems like there is a strong chance Quick's teammates can keep him from being too busy, and that increases his chances of having a great game.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS at VAN ($5,400): Krejci has been on a roll since the beginning of February, as he has 13 points in 15 games in that time. He's also tallied 12 power-play points while averaging 2:42 per game with the extra man. Meanwhile, Vancouver's Ryan Miller has headed in the opposite direction since the calendar turned to February. In his last 14 games, Miller has a 3.07 GAA and a .911 save percentage. The Canucks also have the 24th-ranked penalty kill, which is another favorable factor for Krejci.
Victor Rask, CAR at NYI ($5,200): After a good start to the season, Rask went into a cold spell, but he's broken out of that finally. Across his last nine games, he's tallied seven points, including two power-play points. Through the tumult of Rask's season, the Hurricanes have still given him plenty of opportunity, as he's started 41.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. The Islanders have also allowed 2.94 goals and 32.0 shots on net per game. That certainly makes it seem like Rask can keep up his rekindled offensive potency.
WING
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS vs. WPG ($6,200): While Filip Forsberg has been getting most of the attention amongst Nashville forwards recently, don't overlook Arvidsson. He's got 24 goals of his own, and he's put 204 shots on goal in 66 games. The Jets have given up 3.16 goals per game, fourth most in the NHL, and Winnipeg's goalies have a collective .897 save percentage. If Arvidsson is as productive shooting as he typically is, it wouldn't be surprising to see him put a puck into the Jets' net.
Radim Vrbata, ARI vs. COL ($5,700): When the two worst teams in goal prevention are squaring off, you can probably count on some offense. The Avalanche have been slightly worse than the Coyotes defensively, as they've given up 3.28 goals per game. They have also allowed 32.1 shots on net, and they have the 25th-ranked penalty kill. Vrbata has registered 198 shots on net in 67 games, and he's notched five goals and nine assists in his last 15 games.
Josh Bailey, NYI vs. CAR ($5,000): The Islanders' top line of Bailey, John Tavares, and Anders Lee has been quite impressive, and they also get to spend a lot of time in the other team's end. Bailey, for example, has started 40.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second on the Isles only to Tavares. Bailey has averaged a career-high 18:36 per game, and he's notched 49 points even though his 8.0 shooting percentage is the lowest of his career. That hasn't stopped him from excelling recently, as he has notched 10 points in his last nine contests. The Hurricanes have allowed 2.83 goals per game, and they've been worse over the last couple of months. Carolina gave up 2.90 goals per game in February, and in March they've allowed 3.00 goals per contest thus far.
DEFENSE
Seth Jones, CLM at PHI ($5,000): Jones has averaged 3.2 fantasy points per game, and he's contributed on both ends of the ice. In addition to his 10 goals on 121 shots, he's blocked 99 shots this season. The Flyers have allowed 2.91 goals per game, but they've also averaged 59.8 shot attempt per 60 minutes, which is fifth most in the NHL. That means Jones should have plenty of opportunities to block shots, not that he won't contribute on the offensive end. After all, the Flyers have a team save percentage of .898.
Tyson Barrie, COL at ARI ($4,500): It's easy to overlook Barrie in Colorado, but he's got a lot going for him. He's averaged 23:19 per game, and he's started 37.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. That's second most on the Avalanche and a high number for a defenseman. Barrie has also played 3:08 per game with the extra man, and he's tallied 144 shots in 59 games. That last number should come into play here, because the Coyotes have allowed 33.6 shots on net per contest, which is second most in the NHL. At this price, and in this very favorable matchup, Barrie could be a tremendous value.
