This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The main slate on DraftKings once again omits the early game, but that still leaves us with five games to choose from -- including the Jets, Flames, Hurricanes and Rangers playing in the second of back-to-backs. New York will be fighting to keep its playoff hopes alive as it tries to avoid a three-game sweep.
GOALIES
The top of the price range includes two netminders looking to even up their respective series despite putting together solid outings in Frederik Andersen ($8,300) and Jacob Markstrom ($8,200). In the case of the Leafs' goaltender, Andersen gave up just one goal on 34 shots on his way to 19.6 fantasy points. For his part, Markstrom wasn't far off by making 28 of a possible 30 saves for 12.6 fantasy points. Not bad numbers considering neither was able to secure a victory.
At $7,800, Petr Mrazek comes in as a relative steal considering he's won back-to-back games and allowed a combined four goals on 51 shots. There's a chance the Hurricanes will use James Reimer ($7,800) against the Rangers on Tuesday coming into the second game of a back-to-back, but Mrazek will be able to get plenty of rest if Carolina bounces the Rangers in three games.
Despite each putting in shutout performances in their previous matchups, Joonas Korpisalo ($7,200) and Alex Stalock ($7,100) round out the bottom of the group in terms of price. The pair put up identical 28-save shutout victories, which saw them rack up 29.6 fantasy points. Even though both the Blue Jackets and Wild will be considered underdogs heading into their respective clashes with the Maple Leafs and Canucks, this is where I would be looking for a netminder in order to allow you to spend up in other spots.
VALUE PLAYS
Ryan Johansen ($4,200): Shelling out less than $4,500 for a first-line center is never a bad idea, especially when that player logged over four minutes of ice time with the man advantage his previous time out. Johansen picked up an assist in Game 1 and should be capable of adding to his point total Tuesday.
Andrew Copp ($4,000): Similarly, Copp jumped up to the top line with Mark Scheifele (leg) on the shelf and managed two shots and one block in that role Monday. The center logged 5:23 with the man advantage, and while he wasn't able to find the back of the net, he should have plenty of opportunities to do so versus Calgary.
Kasperi Kapanen ($3,100): He fills a third-line role and sees limited action on the power play, but the winger should draw some interest from fantasy players after notching 13 goals and 36 points in 69 games this season. The 24-year-old Finn is also the most likely option to move into the top-six during the game if the offense continues to sputter.
STACKS
Blue Jackets vs Maple Leafs
Pierre-Luc Dubois (C - $5,300), Oliver Bjorkstrand (W - $6,400), Alexandre Texier (W - $2,800)
Dubois should probably be considered the No. 1 center and just missed out on the 20-goal mark for the third straight season (18). He paired up well all season with Bjorkstrand, who put up 20-plus goals for a second consecutive year. Texier's hold on his second-line spot should be considered tenuous at best, but playing with a pair of top-end goal-scorers would make him a steal at $2,800 if he can dish an assist or two.
John Tavares (C - $7,000), Mitch Marner (W - $7,000), Ilya Mikheyev ($4,300)
If you aren't up for fading the Leafs for two games in a row, and you have some cash to spare, Toronto's second line could finally get one past Joonas Korpisalo. Prior to getting hurt back in December, Mikheyev cemented his spot in the top six by notching 23 points in 39 contests. It was obviously a disappointing outing for the entire squad in Game 1, but it's hard to imagine this trio not getting something going in Game 2.
Hurricanes vs Rangers
Sebastian Aho (C - $6,800), Andrei Svechnikov (W - $6,300), Teuvo Teravainen (W - $5,800)
On the heels of Svechnikov's hat trick and Aho's playmaking, this figures to be a highly owned group for Tuesday's slate. Still, with none of them coming in over $7,000, it should be a manageable stack to put into your lineup, though you'll likely need to find some value plays if you pair the forwards up with Petr Mrazek in the crease.
DEFENSE
On the expensive side, you'll find a pair of Columbus blueliners in Zach Werenski ($6,700) and Seth Jones ($6,200) who were held off the board in Game 1. The lack of production in their previous outing could serve to lower their ownership percentage given the heavy price tag. However, fantasy players could regret overlooking the pair considering they both log minutes on the top power-play unit and combined for 71 points during the regular season. The slightly cheaper Jones could be the better play in order to utilize some of the more expensive stacks above.
Considering he is up for the Calder Trophy, the fact that Quinn Hughes ($5,100) doesn't break the bank after a 53-point rookie campaign comes as a bit of a surprise. He wasn't able to notch any points in Game 1 and was limited to just 3.0 fantasy points as a result of two shots, but he'll continue to serve as the quarterback of the No. 1 power-play unit and won't be held off the board for long.
Jake Gardiner ($2,700) hasn't scored a point through the first two games, but he leads all Hurricanes defensemen in power-play ice time, including 3:04 against the Rangers in Game 2. The fact that he has just two shots in his last pair of games could see him removed from the power-play role. As long as he can maintain that assignment, though, he's certainly worth a look.
