This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's official, the moon was blue last night and the Oilers won without both Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl registering a point. The slate is already small with four games starting at 7 p.m. EST and there is only one true plus matchup and it's the Bruins-Canucks. Otherwise, everything else is a pick'em.
SLATE PREVIEW
No one is playing on the second-half of a back-to-back tonight. Vancouver travels to Boston with the league's sixth-worst goals against (3.24) and Anaheim sports the league's tenth-highest goals for (3.22) when they welcome the streaking Leafs.
GOALIES
Linus Ullmark, BOS vs VAN ($8,600): Vancouver has lost eight of their last ten contests while averaging 2.3 goals during that span. Boston has not been the greatest on defense, but their style of play will make it rather difficult for the Canucks to generate any sort of success. This is a perfect spot for Ullmark to make a case to receive more time.
VALUE PLAYS
Erik Karlsson, SJ at CHI ($4,900): Playing against a team averaging 3.22 goals against sounds like a very favorable matchup for Karlsson. He's averaging 2.2 shots over his last five appearances alongside a 0-3-3 line. You can't find many defenders in a better spot under $5K.
Cam Atkinson, PHI at NJ ($5,400): Atkinson has not had the best of luck of late with an ongoing carousel at 2C for the Flyers. After losing Derick Brassard and their excellent chemistry, he hasn't found the same success. But Morgan Frost is now in that spot and the two have started to click, providing Atkinson that spark to return to early-season form.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Blackhawks vs Sharks
Jonathan Toews (C - $4,800), Patrick Kane (W - $8,900), Brandon Hagel (W - $3,600)
There may not be a higher-upside-for-the-salary line stack on the slate than this one. In a uptempo matchup against the offense-only Sharks, Toews is finally reunited with longtime linemate Kane and Hagel joining the dynamic duo. The trio also operates on Chicago's top power-play unit. It would be shocking if these three are not on a winning lineup.
Bruins vs Canucks
Charlie Coyle (C - $4,400), Taylor Hall (W - $5,800), Nick Foligno (C - $3,800)
The majority of coverage will be on Boston's top line, so we'll look at the next group here. Coyle and Hall have struggled for the most part, but they have shown glimpses of their overall skill level. Ever since Foligno joined the line, he's jumpstarted his linemates. Foligno also happens to play on the top power play, which gets you access to Boston's elite players. Add in a matchup against the struggling Canucks, and many Bruins could once again do well.
DEFENSE
Mario Ferraro, SJ at CHI ($4,400): It's been a long time since a team provided a legitimate shutdown defenseman, but Ferraro offers all of the qualities of a grinding type supplying both offense and defense with his specialty shutting down shooting lanes and blocking shots. His floor has been really high this year and is averaging just under three blocked shots over his last five appearances while producing three assists. This is a solid floor for a value with decent upside.
Jamie Drysdale, ANA vs TOR ($4,000): Drysdale continues to perform in his second season. He's provided excellent offense and defense, something the Ducks desperately need. Drysdale is also reaping the rewards of top power-play minutes alongside Anaheim's other dynamic prospects. In a fast-paced matchup against the Leafs, it wouldn't be surprising to see 3x or 4x return from the youngster.
