FanDuel NHL: Monday Targets

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Published on August 3, 2020

SLATE PREVIEW

There are six games Monday, though Rangers-Hurricanes is not available on DraftKings due to its early (noon ET) start. The Lightning, Capitals, Knights and Stars will begin round-robin play, while the Blackhawks and Canadiens, both No. 12 seeds, will try to put the Oilers and Penguins, respectively, on the brink of elimination.

GOALIES

I like both Ben Bishop ($8,600) and Robin Lehner ($8,500) in what should be a low-scoring game. The Stars ranked 26th in G/GP and the Knights ranked 13th in G/GP during the season. They both defend quite well, especially the Stars, so scoring opportunities should be few and far between. Bishop may have the longer track record but Vegas should have the edge.

I like both the Oilers' Mikko Koskinen ($8,500), who showed very well in relief in Game 1 (18 saves on 19 shots), and expected Penguins starter Tristan Jarry ($8,500). Both the Oilers and Pens should be able to even up the series given their talent. Carey Price ($8,100) is a good value play because he's played very well and few are better when he's at the top of his game, but the Pens lost in OT and it seems unlikely they'd dig themselves into a 2-0 hole.

Cam Talbot ($7,800) will likely start again and should be a popular pick against a shorthanded Jets squad. He faced just 18 shots in Game 1, and without Mark Scheifele and potentially Patrik Laine, that's two of the Jets' most dangerous weapons he won't have to worry about.

VALUE PLAYS

With no Scheifele, look for Jack Roslovic ($3,700) and Andrew Copp ($3,400) to get more ice time. Roslovic was fourth in PP TOI in Game 1 and Copp scored the Jets' lone tally. Mathieu Perreault ($3,300) may get some additional power-play time but his overall usage is pretty limited.

Both Dylan Strome ($4,500) and Nick Suzuki ($4,400) played big roles in their Game 1 upsets despite their relative inexperience. The Oilers' defense will probably continue to be porous, and the Pens had trouble containing some of Montreal's quicker forwards. Suzuki led all Habs forwards with 23:10 of ice time. Don't forget about Jonathan Drouin ($3,700), who had some chances in Game 1 and also has more upside than either Paul Byron ($4,100) or Joel Armia ($4,400).

With Steven Stamkos sitting out, expect both Tyler Johnson ($4,200) and Anthony Cirelli ($4,800) to see more offensive opportunities. Johnson is the bigger wild card because he can move up and down the lineup, but he's been especially good when paired with Cirelli. In 255 minutes of even-strength play, the duo has a 54.89 CF% and 58.82 xGF%, according to Natural Stat Trick.

On the heels of a dominant five-point performance in Game 1, Dominik Kubalik ($5,100) will be attractive for those looking to capitalize on his hot streak. But don't forget about Andrew Mangiapane ($4,400), who has a point in six of his past seven games in a streak that dates back to February. He had two points and two shots in Game 1.

FORWARD LINE STACKS

Canadiens at Penguins

Phillip Danault (C - $5,300), Tomas Tatar (W - $6,500), Brendan Gallagher (W - $7,200)

This is the Habs' most consistent line, and they generally outplay their opponents. They're a chance-generating machine and only lack the ability to finish consistently. They looked strong despite playing against the Pens' top pairing, as well.

Oilers vs. Blackhawks

Connor McDavid (C - $8,800), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (W - $7,100), Zack Kassian (W - $4,100)

Despite the loss, the Oilers still scored four goals in Game 1. McDavid and RNH had three points apiece, doing much of their damage on the power play. The Oilers should get better goaltending with Koskinen likely getting the start, so a Blackhawks line stack is a less appetizing idea.

DEFENSEMEN

John Carlson ($6,900) is still the best bet after a dominant regular season, but if he doesn't play, expect Dmitry Orlov ($4,000) to pick up power-play duties. Kris Letang ($6,800), who played 31 minutes in Game 1, and Victor Hedman ($6,500) round out the elite tier. Shea Theodore ($5,900), has a lot of upside, too (despite a strong defense and goaltending, the Stars PK ranked 29th since Feb. 1 and finished 17th at 79.7 percent).

Mark Giordano ($5,700) should've had at least one goal in Game 1, and Oscar Klefbom ($5,600) continues to do it all for the Oilers. They have a high floor because they play such huge roles for their squads, but offensively they don't have the same upside as the top-tier quarterbacks.

If Hedman doesn't play, look for Mikhail Sergachev ($4,400) and Kevin Shattenkirk ($4,200) on the power play. Sergachev is worth the premium because he was the better producer and generally plays more, but both finished with 34 points during the season. Justin Schultz ($4,200) is another secondary power-play guy who scores the occasional point with the man advantage.

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.