This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The Red Wings have lost four straight and their league-worst minus-33 goal differential will likely plummet even further hosting the Bruins and the Perfection Line. The Bruins' plus-20 goal differential leads the league.
The Canucks will visit Winnipeg in the second half of their back-to-back as they face the injury-riddled Jets. Second-line center Bryan Little is out indefinitely after taking a puck to the head, which has forced Paul Maurice to play Blake Wheeler at center on the second line. After a hot start to the season, the Canucks have scored just three goals in their past two games.
The Devils will also play the second game of their back-to-back as Taylor Hall returns to Edmonton. It'll be their third game in four nights as they continue their swing through Western Canada. The Oilers have lost two straight and outscored by their opponents 8-4.
The Lightning and Sabres will not be on FanDuel's slate with a 1 p.m. ET puck drop. Most of you (read: Nashville) are probably still reeling from last night's heavy dose of upsets anyway.
GOALIES
Tuukka Rask ($9,100) is worth the premium against the league's worst team. He's looking to bounce back after allowing five goals against the Habs, and even if he falters for the second straight game, his offense is more than capable of picking up the slack.
Thatcher Demko ($7,900) has been excellent this season (1.78 GAA, .938 Sv%) but the Canucks offense and power play has been snakebit over the past two games and Connor Hellebuyck ($7,800) is a big reason why the Jets are still above .500. With the Canucks playing back-to-back, the Jets should have the slight advantage on home ice and the $100 difference in price shows you just how close the game may be. Defensive stalwart Chris Tanev left last night's game against Chicago and did not return, leaving a big hole on the Canucks defense.
The Oilers have not announced their starter but both Mike Smith ($8,100) and Mikko Koskinen ($7,800) are potentially strong plays against the Devils. MacKenzie Blackwood ($7,300) has won two straight on the road trip and will likely get his fourth straight start as John Hynes goes with the hot hand. Don't discount Blackwood's ability to steal a game, but his inconsistency makes him a dicey play. Blackwood allowed three goals on just 22 shots and lost in a shootout when the then red-hot Oilers visited the swamp on Oct. 10.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Zachary Senyshyn ($3,000) recorded two assists in his season debut against the Habs in just 10 minutes of play, giving him three points in three career games. The former first-round pick was a reach at 15th overall in 2015, but it's evident that he's got some scoring talent. He'll play on the third line but it shouldn't matter against a woeful Dead Things defense and perpetually mediocre goaltending.
With Wheeler moving to center, Jack Roslovic ($3,800) gets promoted from Adam Lowry's line and will play opposite Nikolaj Ehlers on the second line. Roslovic has struggled in the early going amidst higher expectations following his first full NHL season, and he gets first crack to showcase his offensive ability in a top-six role.
It's boom-or-bust most nights with Nikita Gusev ($3,500), who has recorded two shots in each of his past two games, but he's only playing because Jesper Bratt is out. Playing with Jack Hughes gives the Devils a potentially potent second line, but Hynes doesn't always trust them, so when they get limited minutes it caps their production.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Boston Bruins (TOTAL: $25,700)
C – Patrice Bergeron ($7,800)
W – David Pastrnak ($9,300)
W – Brad Marchand ($8,600)
They're called the Perfection Line for a reason. The Bruins' goal differential when they're on the ice is plus-6, when they're not on the ice it's minus-1, according to Natural Stat Trick. However, the high price may be a deterrent with so many other line stacks available.
Edmonton Oilers (TOTAL: $21,700)
C – Connor McDavid ($8,900)
W – Leon Draisaitl ($8,800)
W – Zack Kassian ($4,000)
Between the Oilers and Bruins, four of the league's top five scorers are accounted for. Kassian is there to lower the price of the Oilers' line stack, though once in a while he'll pitch in with the odd goal.
New Jersey Devils (TOTAL: $18,800)
C – Nico Hischier ($4,800)
W – Taylor Hall ($7,600)
W – Kyle Palmieri ($6,400)
The top line is clicking: Hischier has five points in four games, Palmieri has six in four, and Hall is on a six-game point streak. Scoring on the Oil shouldn't be tough and the relatively low cost for this line stack makes it worthwhile.
Vancouver Canucks (TOTAL: $20,800)
C – Elias Pettersson ($7,300)
W – Brock Boeser ($7,400)
W – J.T. Miller ($6,100)
Possible fatigue from travel and unsustainable strong play makes this line stack less ideal than usual, but the talent is undeniable and the Jets patchwork defense has led to 79 high-danger shots against for Hellebucyk, sixth-most in the league, according to Natural Stat Trick.
Winnipeg Jets (TOTAL: $21,800)
C – Mark Scheifele ($7,500)
W – Kyle Connor ($6,600)
W – Patrik Laine ($7,700)
We're working off history here. Scheifele has 14 points in 16 career games against the Canucks, Laine has seven goals in eight games and Connor has six points in five. Despite the $1,000 premium the smart bet is on the Jets' top line to outperform the Canucks'.
DEFENSEMEN
Torey Krug ($5,600) is on a four-game heater and will be a popular pick against Detroit. The Michigan boy has 16 points and a plus-9 rating in 24 games against the Wings.
If Tanev cannot play, Alexander Edler ($5,500) is going to log a ton of minutes with Tyler Myers. Edler has a high floor because of his ability to block shots and his power-play time also brings some added value. Josh Morrissey ($4,800) is in a similar boat, averaging 25 minutes per game and playing in all situations. However, star rookie Quinn Hughes ($4,400) still has the most game-breaking ability in this matchup. The Jets PK ranks 30th in the league.
Oscar Klefbom ($5,000) has not registered a point since Oct. 16, but he continues to log big minutes and quarterback the top power play. He contributes in nearly every category and the hope is that he snaps his cold streak soon.
