This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The schedule is packed on Saturday, which means there is no shortage of options from which to choose. From established performers to potential breakouts, you can build your lineup almost any way imaginable. Here are a few of the best selections to consider:
Goalie
Cam Talbot, EDM at VAN ($8,300): Talbot dazzled on Opening Night against Calgary, stopping 27 shots en route to a shutout victory. The Edmonton netminder has continued the trend he established last season by getting off to a great start. Talbot faces a Vancouver team that was second-to-last in goals scored last season (178), where he took advantage of the Canucks' offensive woes by going 3-0-1 against them with a .967 save percentage and a 0.98 goals against average.
Center
Connor McDavid, EDM at VAN ($9,200): McDavid picked up right where he left off last season by registering a hat trick in Wednesday's opener against Calgary. In five games against the Canucks last season, the reigning MVP scored three goals, added three assists, and averaged over 20 minutes of ice time per game. McDavid may be expensive, but he offers a high floor with tremendous upside.
Jonathan Drouin, MTL at WAS ($5,700): I wrote about Drouin leading up to his first game with the Canadiens and he performed well at a low salary. The former Tampa draftee was all over the ice skating on the top line and power-play unit, registering one assist, five shots on goal, and logged over 20 minutes of ice time. The Caps allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing centers last season and that continued in their first game with Ottawa center Derick Brassard scoring a goal and adding two assists with five shots on goal.
Wings
Viktor Arvidsson, NSH at PIT ($6,300): The Pens have been a defensive disaster thus far, carrying over their inability to stop opposing wingers last season – where they allowed the most fantasy points in the league. In their first two outings, wingers have struck for eight goals and 14 assists with 29 shots on goal against. Arvidsson produced in the Predators' first game of the season, netting a goal and adding an assist.
James van Riemsdyk, TOR vs NYR ($5,800): van Riemsdyk had a goal and two assists in Toronto's seven-goal debut. Combining their opening effort with last season's total, the Rangers have allowed the fourth-most fantasy points to opposing left-wingers. JVR skates on one of the NHL's more productive lines with young star Mitch Marner and veteran Tyler Bozak. He also gets a bump in tonight's matchup with backup goalie Ondrej Pavelec expected to start for the Rangers.
Alex Ovechkin, WAS vs MTL ($8,200): Coming off an Opening Night hat trick, Ovi faces a Canadiens squad that he has decimated during his career. In 42 career games against Montreal, The Great Eight has scored 23 goals and added 21 assists to go along with 183 shots on goal. And in 41 home contests last season, he dazzled with 38 points (20 goals, 18 assists).
Defense
Roman Josi, NSH at PIT ($6,200): Josi was aggressive in the Preds' first game of the season, firing five shots on goal while being on the ice over 27 minutes. The Pens have allowed a ton of production to opposing defensemen dating back to last season and Josi remains an offensive force from the blueline.
Brent Burns, SJ vs LA ($7,300): Another night, another slate with Burns in play. The most dominant force on defense in the NHL was back at it on Opening Night notching an assist, registering five shots on goal, blocking two shots, and logging around 24 minutes of ice time. In five games against the Kings last season, Burns potted three goals and fired 12 shots on goal. Big time production at an expensive salary, but expect the bearded one to be a popular play in most contests.
