This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Following a rather difficult Saturday slate, we cap off another week with four games starting at 6:00 p.m. EST.
We have a handful of teams playing on the second half of back-to-backs: Pens, Rangers, Islanders and Sharks. The Blue Jackets and their league's second-worst 3.60 GAA will host the Pens while the Rangers hope to bounce back against the Canucks.
DISCLOSURE: Things may not be the same at puck drop due to COVID-19. Make sure to monitor the news feed and play at your own risk.
GOALIES
Zach Sawchenko, SJ vs SEA ($7,400): Welcome that thing called a "Leap of Faith"? We all do our research, right? Well, this is a combination of the two. Sawchenko has had very limited time in the NHL with any of the teams he has been with and it resulted in 40 total minutes in two games against the Oilers and Pens. The performance against Pittsburgh gave more of a glimpse of his potential having stopped 20 of 21 shots. Yes, San Jose will be playing their second game in as many nights, but it will be at home and against the Kraken. If you don't feel comfortable in going with intuition, Alexandar Georgiev ($8,600) represents a solid option.
VALUE PLAYS
Kyle Palmieri, NYI at ANA ($3,800): Palmieri remains on the Isles' top line and is also under $4K in salary as he and his teammates are doing very little offensively. He's starting to show a spark again with four goals and 15 shots from his last five games. Anaheim is no fortress after their own struggles and this provides a perfect chance for Palmieri to continue his jumpstart in production.
Adam Boqvist, CBJ vs PIT ($4,600): Boqvist is starting to see a salary increase after a boost in scoring. The defenseman has taken over for injured teammate Zach Werenski and in two games since has posted an assist, two shots and two blocked shots. Those numbers aren't great, but they were against Florida and Carolina. Pittsburgh has been hurting defensively and they barely escaped with a 1-0 win against the Rangers yesterday and will be playing on the second-half of a back-to-back against an in-form Columbus attack.
LINE STACKS TO CONSIDER
Sharks vs Kraken: Tomas Hertl (C - $6,500), Timo Meier (W - $9,500), Brent Burns (D - $6,600)
Not so much a line stack, but more a power-play combo. The Sharks are in dire need of wins and they finally flipped the page beating the Islanders a few nights ago. Now they welcome the Kraken, who continue to be inconsistent. They are also down their arguably best player in Jared McCann. This trio has produced three goals, 11 assists, 60 shots and 19 blocks across five games. Even if they don't find the scoresheet, their floors alone would be enough to hit value.
Penguins at Blue Jackets: Sidney Crosby (C - $8,300), Jake Guentzel (W - $9,400), Bryan Rust (W - $8,500)
Whether the Pens win or lose, their offense is currently on the shoulders of Sid and The Kids. Crosby has notched 39 points in 31 career games against the Blue Jackets. In what has turned into an intense rivalry, he and his linemates will need to do everything in their power to kickstart Pittsburgh on another run and they've already posted 10 points and 45 shots over their last five outings.
DEFENSE
Quinn Hughes, VAN at NYR ($5,900): For $1.1K less than the most expensive defender, you can get Hughes. In four appearances since returning from COVID protocols, he's racked up two goals, five assists and 13 shots. The Rangers are expected to win this matchup, but Hughes will at least be able to directly plenty of pucks on net.
Mark Giordano, SEA at SJ ($5,800): Giordano continues to be "THE cash play" when the Kraken are playing. The veteran blueliner is not shy taking or blocking shots with 11 on net and 11 against from his last five games. Giordano has also potted two goals during that span. San Jose will surely be taking enough shots this game and Seattle will be forced to play defensively. If a safe bet is needed, Giordano should easily block a few shots here.
