DraftKings NHL: Monday Breakdown

DraftKings NHL: Monday Breakdown

This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.

SLATE PREVIEW

We have seven games on Monday night, which often feels like the ideal number for DFS purposes. None of the teams playing tonight played yesterday, but four teams -- the Hurricanes, Senators, Canucks and Jets -- will play tomorrow, so keep an eye out for which goalie is getting the start.

Auston Matthews (wrist) is the most-notable injury. He practiced yesterday but didn't do any real shooting that would signal that he'll be back in action. Nevertheless, the Oilers vs. Maple Leafs is listed at 6.5 O/U. The Jets and Canucks got the same rating, so both matchups should be high-scoring bouts.

Advanced statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick. 

GOALIES

Marc-Andre Fleury, VGK vs. MIN ($8,100): Fleury has been electric this year with a .941 save percentage and a 9-3-0 record, taking over the No. 1 job in his age-36 season. The Wild are on a tear, but don't be dismayed. The Golden Knights' defense is sturdier than the Wild's previous opponents, recording 2.09 xGA/60 in February -- 14th in the league. 

Jordan Binnington, STL at ANH ($8,000): Binnington's temper got out of control in Saturday's wild 7-6 win over the Sharks. This wasn't the first time that these antics surfaced, as they were evident during the Blues' Stanley Cup run two seasons back. Don't expect it to affect him in Monday's start, and it may even work in his favor. He draws an intriguing bounce-back opportunity, as the Ducks have lost six straight games while averaging two goals per contest.

Braden Holtby, VAN at WPG ($7,200): Thatcher Demko ($7,200) could make a third straight start, but it wouldn't be surprising if Holtby gets his first game in over a week. Either way, this is a superb matchup for whoever gets the starting nod, as the Jets ranked 30th in February with 1.86 xGF/60. The Canucks can provide a ton of offensive support, too, meaning either goalie is a strong, contrarian option in DFS formats. 

VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS

Kirill Kaprizov, MIN at VGK ($4,200): I still believe Fleury is a top start in this slate while maintaining that this is an outrageously low salary for Kaprizov. He's on a five-game point streak, and the 23-year-old has collected eight goals and 17 points through 18 games. Getting more comfortable every game, Kaprizov is always a threat to break a game open.

Rickard Rakell, ANH vs. STL ($4,100): Rakell reached the 30-goal threshold twice before finishing with fewer than 20 goals in each of the past two seasons. He still has a strong start, and he begins 62.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. Since he's converted on just 3.1 percent of his shots so far, he's bound for some upward regression soon. The Blues have allowed 2.71 G/60 at even strength over the past 12 games, opening the door for Rakell to capitalize.

Drake Batherson, OTT vs. CGY ($3,900): The secret's out with Batherson, as he's scored in five straight games, adding three assists and 12 shots on net in that stretch. The 22-year-old finally looks comfortable at the top level, I'm not solid that David Rittich can keep up this hot streak with for the Flames. 

LINE STACKS

Avalanche at Sharks

Nathan MacKinnon (C - $8,500), Mikko Rantanen (W - $6,700), Gabriel Landeskog (W - $5,200)

The consistency of this bunch is its selling point, as Rantanen and MacKinnon have put up a combined 38 points through 18 games. Landeskog continues to chip in on the left side with nine points as well, and the trio peppers the net with pucks. They have slate-breaking upside against a Sharks team with well-documented goaltending issues that have given up 20 goals over the past four contests. 

Flames at Senators

Mikael Backlund (C - $4,500), Matthew Tkachuk (W - $6,900), Andrew Mangiapane (W - $4,600)

The Flames are showcasing Sam Bennett as the third-line center, meaning Backlund has been promoted to the second line. Being flanked by Tkachuk, who has recorded seven goals and nine assists through 22 contests, is a clear benefit, but Mangiapane doesn't get enough credit for his accolades. Over 15 games in February, Mangiapane recorded eight goals and three helpers. Look for the trio to continue the momentum against a Senators team that depends on a hot goalie.

Canucks at Jets

Elias Pettersson (C - $5,700), Brock Boeser (W - $6,100), J.T. Miller (W - $5,300)

"The Lotto Line" has been up to its usual tricks this season with 4.69 GF/60 at even strength. Boeser and Pettersson have combined for 20 goals -- seven on the power play -- through 24 games. The Jets have a decent PK, so it's encouraging that this trio isn't too reliant on the power play. After all, the Jets were last in the league over the last month with 2.93 xGA/60.

DEFENSEMEN

Quinn Hughes, VAN at WPG ($5,300): We don't need to go over how Hughes is a transcendent talent to understand that his salary is an immense value Monday. The 21-year-old has 21 points through 24 games, and he's fired 59 shots on net in that stretch. Hughes quarterbacks PP1 with The Lotto Line, too, making him a strong addition to the aforementioned Canucks stack. 

Rasmus Andersson, CGY at OTT ($5,100): Andersson leads Calgary's blue line with 13 points through 22 games, including five on the power play. The 24-year-old has played his way into the luxury of PP1 alongside the likes of Matthew Tkachuk and Johnny Gaudreau. Lining up against Ottawa's 24th-ranked PK (75.3 percent), he's poised well to provide DFS value tonight.

Jake Muzzin, TOR vs. EDM ($4,500): Muzzin returned from a two-game absence for Saturday's win over the Oilers, and he picked up right where he left off with his seventh assist in seven games. He has hit the shot-blocking bonus six times this year, too, so he provides a sturdy floor along with strong upside against the Oilers, who rank 25th with 2.34 xGA/60 over the last month. 

Samuel Girard, COL at SJ ($3,400): Girard was promoted to PP1 with Cale Makar (upper body) out of the lineup for Saturday's win over the Coyotes. He produced two points -- one on the power play-- and he's expected to stay in place Monday. The 22-year-old features excellent distribution skills, and he'll look to keep it rolling against the Sharks 22nd-ranked PK (76.9 percent).

Jake Bean, CAR at FLA ($2,600): Bean finally got back into the lineup a few weeks ago, and it looks like the 2016 first-round pick (13th overall) is here to stay. He's tallied a goal and five assists over the last eight games, and he's handling PP2 minutes.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jordan Mazzara plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Mazz30 Yahoo: Mazz30 DraftKings: Mazz30.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jordan Mazzara
Jordan has produced NFL and NHL content for RotoWire since 2017. He's the beat writer for the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Seahawks.
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