This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are two afternoon games Saturday, Flyers-Blue Jackets and Canucks-Wild, that have their own set of contests. Don't fret, though, because there are 10 games Saturday evening, so you will have a ton of players to choose from. If you want help separating the chaff from the wheat, here are the players I think are worth targeting.
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT at MON ($7,200): The Canadiens and Senators are fighting for the Atlantic Division crown, but Montreal hasn't been getting it done with offensive firepower. The Habs have averaged 2.68 goals per game, 18th in the NHL, and they've also only taken 29.8 shots on net per contest. Meanwhile, Anderson has been stellar, as he's posted a 2.29 GAA and a .928 save percentage. This isn't a great matchup, but Anderson is oddly cheap given how good he's been. You can save quite a few bucks, get one of the league's best goalies this season, and hope he can pick up a win. If he does, he'll be a tremendous steal.
CENTER
David Krejci, BOS at NYI ($5,100): Overall, the Islanders have allowed 3.00 goals and 32.1 shots per game, both of which serve as examples of how bad New York has been defensively. In addition, Saturday they will be on the second night of a back-to-back. That won't help the Islanders' defense, even If the return of Jaroslav Halak the night before likely means Thomas Greiss is starting this game. For his part, Krjeci has notched 50 points this season, and he's tallied seven in his last eight games. Plus, he's registered 14 power-play points, including eight goals with the extra man.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. COL ($4,600): What could be better than a home game against the Avalanche? Colorado has allowed a league-high 3.34 goals per game, and they've also ceded 31.9 shots on net per contest. Nugent-Hopkins has put 192 shots on goal in 74 games, and in his last 10 contests he's tallied 30 shots on net. His 7.8 shooting percentage has held him back a bit, but this tremendous matchup more than makes up for any puck luck concerns.
WING
James van Riemsdyk, TOR at BUF ($6,100): Van Riemsdyk has started 40.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he's made the most of his opportunities. He's notched 212 shots on goal in 73 games, and now he gets a matchup with a Sabres team that has allowed a league-high 34.3 shots on net per contest. On top of that, JVR has 17 power-play points playing for Toronto's league-best unit. Buffalo, meanwhile, has the 28th-ranked penalty kill, so that's a major advantage for van Riemsdyk and company.
Kyle Palmieri, NJD vs. CAR ($5,500): Despite playing for the largely punchless Devils, Palmieri has been on a tear for a little while now. In his last 15 games, he's tallied 10 goals and seven assists, including six points with the extra man. He's also put 55 shots on goal in those 15 contests. Meanwhile, Carolina's Cam Ward has gone through the inverse of Palmieri's hot streak. In Ward's last 20 games, he's posted a 3.49 GAA and a .886 save percentage. He doesn't seem like the man to stymie Palmieri.
Milan Lucic, EDM vs. COL ($4,600): OK, so maybe Lucic hasn't been as productive as expected since becoming an Oiler. However, in his last 12 games he has 10 points, including six goals, so the move hasn't exactly been a disaster. Plus, he's tallied a whopping 23 power-play points this season, and now he gets to go up against Colorado's 24th-ranked penalty kill. Throw in the fact the Avalanche have allowed more goals per game than any other team, and there's plenty of reason to like Lucic, especially at this price.
DEFENSE
Justin Faulk, CAR at NJD ($5,000): New Jersey has struggled this season to the tune of 2.92 goals allowed per game. The Devils have also allowed 31.9 shots on net per contest, and their penalty kill ranks 20th. Faulk has notched 184 shots on goal in 65 games, and he's added 10 power-play points as well. Overall, he has averaged 3.2 fantasy points per game, and it would not be surprising to see him perform above that level against the lowly Devils.
Matt Niskanen, WAS vs. ARI ($4,200): The addition of Kevin Shattenkirk may have cut into Niskanen's offensive role a bit, but a matchup with the Coyotes should more than make up for that. Arizona has allowed 3.16 goals per game, and their 33.9 shots allowed per contest are second most in the NHL. Niskanen has tallied 36 points this season, including nine on the power play. He's averaged 2.7 fantasy points per game and in this very favorable matchup he is worth this price, because against the Coyotes there's usually plenty of offense to go around.
