This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Monday gives us a solid six-game slate with some high-powered teams, elite players, and plenty of decisions to be made. To afford some studs like Tyler Seguin and Auston Matthews, you'll need to balance things out with some value plays. Consider these options…
Goalie
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs DET, ($7,800): Markstrom is 4-3-2 with a 2.23 GAA and a .921 save percentage. Detroit is averaging 2.57 goals per game (27th in the league) and just 2.33 on the road. Markstrom is playing with confidence and he'll look to continue rolling after stopping 37 of 39 shots in a win over the Penguins last time out. Detroit is also on the second of a back-to-back.
Center
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs ARI ($6,400): To pretty much no one's surprise, it's been a tough start to the season for the young Coyotes. To make matters worse, they were on the East Coast last week, returned home for two games, and now embark on another road trip beginning in Washington on Monday. Backstrom is slumping a bit, but is in a great spot to turn that around against the team allowing the most fantasy points to opposing centers. With plenty of time on the power play, his upside is heightened in a juicy matchup.
Alexander Wennberg, CBJ at NYR ($5,400): The Rangers have allowed the second most fantasy points to centers and Wennberg's playmaking ability makes him a nice play in a game that should be back and forth with plenty of goals. He has seven points in 13 career games against the Blueshirts.
Wing
Boone Jenner, CBJ at NYR ($4,700): Jenner has two goals, three assists, and eight shots on goal in his last three games, and thus has seen solid minutes eclipsing 20 minutes of ice time in three of his last four contests. His price has remained low, though, so it's time to take advantage.
Zach Hyman, TOR vs VGK ($4,600): Hyman's upside will always be limited since he doesn't see any time on the power play. However, he skates with Auston Matthews and William Nylander on the Leafs' top line and has generated chances while shorthanded, as well. He has four goals and four assists and is a good value for a team that scores often.
T.J. Oshie, WAS vs ARI ($5,700): Arizona has a team GAA of 4.13, the highest mark in the NHL, and the 28th-ranked penalty kill. Oshie has six goals and four assists with four of his scores coming on the power play. Stacking him and Backstrom is a nice way to get some value and upside, as the two skate together on the second line and top power-play unit.
Defense
Jacob Trouba, WPG at DAL ($4,400): Trouba has been incredibly steady with at least eight FanDuel points in 10 of 12 games played this season. He's averaging 2.38 blocked shots, 2.23 shots on goal, and over 21 minutes per game. This game should see some scoring and I expect Trouba to be involved. His price also hasn't moved much, and at $4,400, he's a great option for your virtual blue line.
Seth Jones, CBJ at NYR ($5,300): In 13 games against the Rangers, Jones has three goals and five assists, including a goal and assist in one contest this season. He has a goal and two assists in his last two games, also.
