Nine games are scheduled in the NHL this evening in what should be another fun slate. Plenty of studs will be taking the ice and hitting the right value plays will be key. We are just a month into this young season, however, trends are starting to form. We have a good idea of what to expect from certain teams, both offensively and defensively. With that being said, let’s dive into this NHL main slate to find some of the best options available, at each position.
Center
Elias Pettersson (VAN): $6,200 @ DET
The early Calder Trophy candidate to start the season is off to an amazing start. Elias Pettersson is coming off a monster game, where he scored two goals and three assists against the Colorado Avalanche. Tonight, the Canucks travel to Detroit and will take on a weak Red Wings team. Although better on home ice, the Red Wings are clearly in the rebuilding stages and do not have the personnel to defend a player of Pettersson’s caliber. Look for Vancouver to win this one handily.
Jordan Staal (CAR): $5,000 @ STL
A line combination which will go completely overlooked is Jordan Staal and his wingers. After looking deeper into the St. Louis Blues struggles, it was clear that the top line of opposing teams are getting shut down, whereas the second line is finding plenty of success. Ryan O’Reilly is a great defender on the Blues and will have his hands full with the Sebastian Aho line. Thus, Jordan Staal and company will get an easy matchup to produce some offense.
Wing
Nikolay Goldobin (VAN): $3,500 @ DET
At near minimum price, the Vancouver winger is a great secondary piece to an inexpensive mini-stack. Goldobin will play alongside Pettersson on even strength and the first unit power-play. Not a household name, Goldobin has also struggled to find offense this season. Playing on Pettersson’s wing will definitely put him in a position to put up points in a great matchup.
Taylor Hall (NJ): $7,600 @ OTT
Although the Devils scored five goals against the Penguins last night, Taylor Hall only recorded one assist. However, the Senators are a terrible team who have barely been keeping their heads above water. This feels like a classic Taylor Hall outburst spot, and he doesn’t need to be stacked with. He generates offense on his own and will produce points both during even strength and on the power-play. He takes a lot of shots and is affordable with the other value players listed.
Justin Williams (CAR): $5,000 @ STL
In addition to Jordan Staal, look to linemate Justin Williams who will also provide salary relief. The Carolina veteran has nine points through the first 14 games. While eight of those nine points are assists, Williams has goal-scoring regression coming and this is the matchup to hop on board.
Joel Armia (MON): $3,700 @ NYR
Part of the “Finnish line,” Joel Armia will also log ice-time on the top power-play unit. The New York Rangers are one of the weaker defensive teams in the NHL and play a high-paced style of game. Montreal will be able to skate with the Rangers in what will be a high-event game. Armia has only had six points on the season, but records a lot of shots and will have a great matchup against the third line of New York.
Defense
Ryan McDonagh (TB): $5,200 vs. EDM
Since the Victor Hedman injury, Ryan McDonagh has stepped up. Coming off a three-point game in Ottawa, the veteran defenseman has stepped into the vacant, number one role. He is the quarterback on the power-play and is now averaging close to 25 minutes a night. As the final piece to a Lightning stack, McDonagh is not cheap, but worth paying up for.
Justin Faulk (CAR): $4,700 @ STL
Justin Faulk plays on the second defensive pairing but will log time on the top power-play unit. Faulk, along with the Hurricanes entire team, shoots the puck a lot. He has 44 shots on goal through the first 14 games of the season. In addition, he is blocking over a shot per game, providing a high fantasy-point floor.
Goalie
Andrei Vasilevskiy (TB): $9,400 vs. EDM
Tampa Bay is a -190 favorite in this matchup against the Edmonton Oilers. While the Oilers are playing good hockey this season, they are in the midst of their second road trip, facing some tough teams. Last night, they played the Washington Capitals who are a physical team. Tonight, the Lightning will use their overall team speed to wear down an already tired team. Edmonton throws a lot of pucks on the net which Vasilevskiy should steer away with ease. Although a shutout is not expected, the win with a lot of saves should be.
Jeremy Maw is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Jeremy, check out his archive or follow him @j_maw.