This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It almost feels like the NHL is cramming in games to get the season wrapped up in time. Talk about a condensed schedule — after eight games Monday, we've got nine games Tuesday. Here are some particularly interesting values to look at…
GOALIE
Ottawa Senators, OTT vs. TAM ($16,500): Since returning to action, Craig Anderson has posted a 9-2-0 record with a 1.82 GAA and a .941 save percentage. He's a big reason why the Senators have won six games in a row. Tampa Bay is a bit banged up, and they will also be on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. While they've saved Andrei Vasilevskiy for this game, the fact remains that the Lightning have averaged 1.75 goals for and 2.83 goals against on zero days of rest. With the way Anderson is playing, it's hard to bet against him, and Ottawa, in this matchup.
CENTER
Victor Rask, CAR vs. NYI ($10,700): The Hurricanes and Islanders will both be playing in the second leg of a home-and-home. The Islanders decided to start Jean-Francois Berube on the front end, but it didn't quite go as planned. He was pulled after letting in four goals, meaning Thomas Greiss had to step in. Greiss proceeded to let in four goals of his own, and now he will likely have to square off with the Hurricanes once more. Additionally, the Islanders have allowed an average of 32.0 shots on net per contest. Rask has started a healthy 41.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and in his last 10 games, he's tallied eight points.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. DAL ($8,500): Nugent-Hopkins is somewhat overlooked in Edmonton now, but he does have a few things going for him. Namely, he's fired 175 shots on goal in 68 games. If not for his 7.1 shooting percentage, he'd be having a decidedly better fantasy season. Fortunately, a matchup with the Stars could easily cure what ails him, as Dallas has allowed 30.4 shots on net and 3.24 goals per contest, which is second most in the NHL. They also have the league's worst penalty kill, and Nugent-Hopkins has eight power-play points, which isn't a great number, but it is encouraging considering the matchup.
WING
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA vs. TOR ($12,100): While Huberdeau has slowed down a smidge after his hot start, the fact remains that he's tallied 12 points (five goals, eight assists) and 41 shots on goal in 16 games. The Maple Leafs have the ninth-ranked penalty kill overall, but they ranked 18th in February and are down to 27th in March. Add in the fact that they've allowed 32.7 shots on goal per contest (third most in the NHL), and Huberdeau is quite intriguing here.
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. NYI ($11,800): This is not an overreaction to the fact the Hurricanes put eight goals on the Islanders in Brooklyn on Monday. Before that happened, this already looked like a favorable matchup, considering how many goals and shots New York has allowed on average. Plus, the Islanders have the 20th-ranked penalty kill on top of that. Skinner has started a whopping 43.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is the most of any Hurricane, and one of the higher percentages in the league. He's also notched 219 shots net in 63 games and tallied 14 power-play points.
Josh Bailey, NYI at CAR ($10,600): While Carolina dropped eight goals on New York, the Islanders scored four goals of their own. Also, since Cam Ward started Monday, the Hurricanes may have Eddie Lack (2.97 GAA, .886 save percentage) in net. Even if Ward plays, considering that his save percentage has fallen to .905, that wouldn't be all that discouraging either. Bailey has started 40.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second on the team only to linemate John Tavares, and has also tallied 10 points in his last 10 games.
DEFENSEMEN
Brent Seabrook, CHI at MON ($9,100): Seabrook has averaged 2:47 per game with the extra man. In that power-play time, he's tallied 13 points, and overall he has 33 points in 66 games. The Canadiens have been strong overall at goal prevention, but their penalty kill only ranks 19th. Plus, Montreal has averaged 59.3 shot attempts per 60 minutes, which is seventh most in the NHL. Seabrook has blocked 115 shots, so he may be able to earn some fantasy points on both ends of the ice.
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. ARI ($9,000): Muzzin has tallied 151 shots in 67 games, and he'll likely add to that against the Coyotes. Arizona has allowed 33.6 shots on net per game, which is the second most in the league. The Coyotes will also be on the second night of a back-to-back, which could mean Louis Domingue (3.20 GAA, .899 save percentage) is in net. On top of that, Arizona has the 26th-ranked penalty kill, and Muzzin has notched nine power-play points.
