This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The 10 evening games in the NHL are included in DraftKings featured contests Saturday, as the afternoon tilt between the Canucks and Sabres is excluded. Here's a quick-hit primer to set the scene and help with your lineup assembly.
Notable favorites from DraftKings Sportsbook:
Capitals
Hurricanes
Blues
Golden Knights
Teams playing for the second consecutive night:
Senators
Hurricanes
Potential high-scoring games:
Canadiens-Senators
Lightning-Flyers
Devils-Capitals
Oilers-Flames
GOALIES
There have been some bad beats for Robin Lehner ($8,100) this season, but he's reasonably priced and still recorded an impressive .922 save percentage this year despite the odd hiccup. The Ducks also represent a soft matchup, as they head to Chicago with an active 3-9-2 road record and a minus-23 goal differential dating back to late October.
The Canadiens need a get-right game, and Ottawa is on the second leg of a back-to-back set after losing in Detroit on Friday. Even with Montreal dropping eight in a row, Carey Price ($7,600) is a worthwhile investment. After all, the Sens enter with a 2-5-4 record since mid-December.
Tampa Bay has won nine consecutive games, and Andrei Vasilevskiy ($7,700) owns a dominant .940 save percentage and 1.86 GAA during that stretch. A road game in Philadelphia is a tough matchup, but does it warrant the Russian's salary dropping significantly? Know when taking on the risk, the Flyers are 14-2-4 with the fourth most goals per 60 minutes on home ice in the league.
While the Golden Knights are huge favorites Saturday, Elvis Merzlikins ($6,900) could be scarcely owned and offer contrarian upside at a bargain. The Blue Jackets allow just 2.03 goals per hour at five-on-five - fourth fewest in the league - and the rookie netminder owns an impressive .935 save percentage through his past six starts. Expectations should be kept in check, but it's also somewhat surprising to see Vegas as such a sizeable favorite.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
New Jersey has surrendered the second most goals per hour in the league this season at 3.43, so Alex Ovechkin ($8,300) is definitely in play. He's been a boom-or-bust contributor for much of the year, but his 1.69 goals and 13.65 shots per 60 minutes are both elite marks and his high price might keep his ownership in check presenting potential contrarian value.
As noted, the Ducks have struggled on the road this season, which includes allowing 26 goals through their past six away games. Alex DeBrincat ($5,600) has started to heat up lately with three goals, three assists and 21 shots over his past seven outings, and there is still likely statistical correction ahead of his 2.29 points per hour for the campaign after posting a 3.14 mark last year.
This is a reasonable price to target Brayden Schenn ($5,000). The veteran has recorded three goals and seven assists through his past 10 games to improve to a respectable 2.61 points per hour for the campaign. The Rangers also allow the most expected goals per hour in the league, including three tallies or more in 12 of the past 14 games.
Sporting a five-game point drought, Nino Niederreiter ($4,100) is poised for a breakout. He's showing signs with 11 shots through his past three outings, too. With Los Angeles a doormat on the road (7-14-3 with 3.42 goals against per 60 minutes), it's also a good matchup. Additionally, Niederreiter is locked into an offensive role.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
With Ottawa allowing 28 goals during its six-game losing streak, look for Montreal's top line to have a solid showing. Phillip Danault ($5,100), Brendan Gallagher ($6,700) and Tomas Tatar ($6,000) have combined for 4.0 goals and 16.6 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past two seasons while driving possession with a dominant 61.3 Corsi For percentage at even strength.
As highlighted, the Devils are a soft matchup, and Washington's second line has been clicking of late. Evgeny Kuznetsov ($5,800), Jakub Vrana ($5,200) and T.J. Oshie ($5,500) have recorded 12 tallies and nine helpers over the past seven games. The trio is affordable and provides coverage to both of Washington's power-play units.
Dallas is rolling and play stingy defense, so San Jose's top line shouldn't be viewed as anything other than a collection of contrarian flyers. However, there's definitely potential for Tomas Hertl ($5,000), Evander Kane ($5,700) and Kevin Labanc ($3,500) to produce, and they're affordable. Even with Dallas allowing just eight goals during its six-game winning streak, Hertl, Kane and Labanc have clicked for a respectable 3.64 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season while driving possession with a 56.9 Corsi For percentage.
DEFENSEMEN
At the top of the salary list, John Carlson ($7,200) and Dougie Hamilton ($7,000) both continue to score in bunches and land in their noted respective exploitable matchups. Carlson has 17 points - including five goals - through 17 games dating back to the beginning of December, while Hamilton has four tallies, eight helpers and 52 shots through his past 14 contests.
Alex Pietrangelo ($6,300) owns a career-high 1.94 points per hour this season and has collected six tallies, nine helpers, 55 shots and 19 blocks while logging 24:07 of ice time - with 2:46 on the man advantage - per game over his past 15 outings. With the soft matchup against the Rangers on tap, he's a high-floor, high-ceiling target.
Erik Karlsson ($5,300) has somewhat quietly put together an excellent season with 1.78 points per hour, which includes a four-game point streak consisting of a goal, four assists and 14 shots. He's also another cost-effective addition to a San Jose stack.
Even with a tough matchup against the Islanders, this is a low price for Torey Krug ($4,700). He's registered an assist in four straight games and boasts a league-high 2.32 points per hour over the past three years among regular defensemen. Just remember, New York only allows 2.55 goals per game - fourth fewest in the league.
