This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are eight games on the slate with Sabres-Flyers, Jackets-Wings, Canes-Preds and the Jets all playing the second game of their back-to-backs. There have been no real surprises so far this season, and parity in the league makes it difficult for any team to sweep. Only three teams have yet to win a game: the Kings, who lost to Kirill Kaprizov and the Wild twice in overtime, the Stars, who have yet to play a game; and the Blackhawks.
GOALIES
Alexandar Georgiev, NYR vs. NJ ($7,900): Win and you're in. Georgiev has been confirmed as the starter after shutting out the Islanders in their previous game, pulling the brakes on the Igor Shesterkin hype train. The Rangers are expected to control possession and outshoot the Devils, which may result in another light workload for Georgiev; he needed just 23 saves against the Isles. I like the Rangers' chances, but Mackenzie Blackwood ($6,900, value play) has been brilliant and he'll be tough to score on.
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA vs. CHI ($7,600): Bob will get his first start of the season and it can't get any easier than facing the league's worst team. Nothing against Chris Driedger, but even he managed to allow just two goals in a win. The Panthers' depth has been surprisingly good and that could be the difference maker in this one. Only three Hawks forwards have scored so far: Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome.
Jonathan Bernier, DET vs. CBJ ($6,700): Elvis Merzlikins ($7,000) is expected to start and someone has to win this game so both present value plays, but if it's so close, why not get the cheaper one? The Red Wings have a revenge game in the works after (literally) fighting until the bitter end in a narrow defeat, 3-2. The Jackets have the same problem every year – they can't score goals – and the Wings have been better than expected so far.
Matt Murray, OTT vs. WPG ($6,700): The Sens acquired him to be their workhorse and after starting both games in the season-opening back-to-back, Murray should start for a third straight game. The Jets are playing back-to-back with a thin blue line, Patrik Laine could miss another game and they most likely won't have Connor Hellebuyck to lean on after he faced 37 shots Monday. Murray's a good value play.
VALUE PLAYS
Jack Hughes, NJ at NYR ($4,800): He looks like a completely different player this season and the Devils will continue to rely on him as long as Nico Hischier (leg) remains injured. He has three points and five shots in his first two games while averaging over 20 minutes per game, eighth-highest in the league.
Vincent Trocheck, CAR at NSH ($4,400): He's averaging close to 20 fantasy points this season with two points and five shots last night. After struggling for the past two seasons, it looks like Trocheck has returned to form. He's a versatile, all-situations center who shoots the puck a lot.
Kasperi Kapanen, PIT vs. WSH ($4,200): All signs indicate he will make his season debut tonight and riding shotgun with Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel.
Bobby Ryan, DET vs. CBJ ($4,000): The 33-year-old still has good hands, scoring three goals in his first two games of the season. The pace won't last, but it's nice to know that he can still score. The Wings' lack of depth makes Ryan's spot on the second line and top power-play unit quite safe.
Josh Norris, OTT vs. WPG ($3,900): Of course, he's going to be inconsistent, but the upside is obvious. The Jets will most likely start Laurent Brossoit, who had a .895 Sv% and 3.28 GAA last season.
LINE STACKS
Devils at Rangers
Jack Hughes (C - $4,800), Yegor Sharangovich (W - $3,600), Kyle Palmieri (W - $6,400)
I really like this stack, especially for this price. Sharangovich has been a nice surprise and he's starting to get a bit more ice time on special teams, and Palmieri's one of the most consistent wingers in the league.
Sabres at Flyers
Jack Eichel (C - $7,600), Taylor Hall (W - $7,200), Sam Reinhart (W - $5,000)
This is quickly becoming one of the best lines in the league, if it isn't already. Even at full strength, the Flyers would have trouble containing this line. Backup Brian Elliott is expected to start.
Capitals at Penguins
Evgeny Kuznetsov (C - $7,400), Jakub Vrana (W - $4,500), Tom Wilson (W - $4,800)
This line looked good last game because the Pens don't have enough depth on defense to cover two good lines. Vrana's slow start is a little concerning because he's a talented scorer, but at least Kuznetsov can contribute from the first power-play unit.
DEFENSEMEN
Cale Makar, COL at LA ($6,200): He's my favorite play in the top tier. He quarterbacks an insanely good power play against a team with a bottom-10 PK over the past two seasons. Roman Josi, John Carlson, Kris Letang, Dougie Hamilton and Thomas Chabot all face tougher matchups.
Erik Gustafsson, PHI vs. BUF ($4,500): The Flyers were awful last night and drew just one power play, but it seems like Gustafsson's already chipping away at Ivan Provorov's minutes. Surely, the Flyers will get more than just one power play tonight. As fun as the Sabres have been to watch, their defense and PK still needs work.
Adam Fox, NYR vs. NJ ($3,900): Tony DeAngelo will sit out another game so that means Fox stays on the top power play. He had a power-play assist and two shots against the Isles. This is a position Fox shouldn't relinquish even when DeAngelo returns; he may not have the same upside on offense, but the Rangers power play leans more on their wingers than their D anyway, and Fox has always been the better overall defenseman.
Adam Boqvist, CHI at FLA ($3,800): I remain pretty steadfast that Boqvist will be a good value play for most of the season. His numbers may not jump out but he's Chicago's best option on their top power play unit. Regular shifts with Patrick Kane in the offensive zone can only lead to good things.
Filip Hronek, DET vs. CBJ ($3,600): Like Boqvist, I think Hronek will be undervalued all season because he plays on a bad team. Both are dynamic offensive defensemen who quarterback power plays with some all-star talent and face favorable matchups tonight.
