This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Saturday is the penultimate day of the NHL regular season. There are nine games on the slate for FantasyDraft's daily fantasy contests. Here are some players that look like intriguing values on this the second-to-last day of the season (at least for the non-playoff teams).
GOALIE
Calgary Flames, CGY at SAN ($14,300): The Sharks are 3-7-0 in their last 10 games, and this season they've scored 2.67 goals per game. That's on the lower end of the spectrum. Meanwhile, the Flames are 21-15-4 on the road, so their chances of picking up the road win are encouraging. In his last 20 games, Brian Elliott has a 2.14 GAA and a .928 save percentage. Calgary's goalies are quite cheap, which makes them an interesting buy-low opportunity.
CENTER
Jake Guentzel, PIT at TOR ($12,100): The Maple Leafs have given up 32.8 shots on goal per game, third highest in the NHL. In four games since returning from injury, Guentzel has six points, and in his last 13 games he has 16 points and 37 shots on goal. He's started 36.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he's skating alongside Sidney Crosby on Pittsburgh's top line. Both of those are strong points in Guentzel's favor heading into this matchup.
Jonathan Marchessault, FLA vs. BUF ($10,400): Marchessault has had a tremendous breakout season, tallying 30 goals on 188 shots in 73 games. He's started 37.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he's played 2:43 per game on the power play. In that time, he's notched 18 points with the extra man. The Sabres have allowed a league-high 34.2 shots on goal per game, and their penalty kill is ranked a lowly 26th.
WING
Evander Kane, BUF at FLA ($13,500): Kane has put a staggering 256 shots on net in 68 games, potting 27 goals in that time. In his last 20 games, he's notched 91 shots on goal, and he's played 20:21 per game in that time. The Panthers have allowed 31.6 shots on goal, and they have some questions in net at the moment. In James Reimer's last 12 games, he has a 3.28 GAA and a .898 save percentage.
James Neal, NAS at WPG ($10,700): Neal has started 37.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, fourth most of any Predator. He's also averaged 2:41 per game with the extra man, tallying 13 power-play points in 69 games. Overall, Neal has notched 196 shots on goal. The Jets have allowed 3.14 goals per game, and their penalty kill ranks 27th. Additionally, since the All-Star break Winnipeg has given up 3.25 goals and 31.8 shots on net per game.
Radim Vrbata, ARI vs. MIN ($9,900): The Wild will start Darcy Kuemper in net. Kuemper sporting a 3.26 GAA and a .900 save percentage, so that obviously changes the dynamic for the Coyotes and Vrbata. Thanks to potting two goals in his last game, Vrbata now has 20 goals on the season, making him the only Coyote to hit that mark. He's also notched 232 shots on goal in 80 games. If he is as productive shooting the puck as he has been this season with Kuemper in net, it wouldn't be surprising to see Vrbata light the lamp once again.
DEFENSEMEN
John Klingberg, DAL vs. COL ($10,600): Klingberg has averaged 3:12 a game on the power play, notching 16 power-play points in 19 games. That's worth noting right out the gate, because the Avalanche have the 29th-ranked penalty kill. On top of that, Colorado has allowed a league-high 3.38 goals per game. There is no better matchup in the NHL than the Avalanche, and Klingberg is clearly Dallas' best defenseman.
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. PIT ($8,800): Rielly's point total may not be eye-popping, but he's still averaged 10.43 fantasy points per game. That's owed to the fact he's tallied 168 shots on goal and 119 blocked shots in 74 games. Both of those numbers are encouraging heading into this matchup. The Penguins have allowed 32.7 shots on net per game, which is fourth most in the NHL. Meanwhile, they've attempted 58.9 shots per 60 minutes, which is sixth most in the league. That gives Rielly the chance to help your fantasy lineup on both ends of the ice.
