The NHL will transition from its lone game on Monday’s slate to an expansive 11-game slate during Tuesday night. Arizona continued its impressive late-season surge, as the Coyotes defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-3 on Monday night to improve their record to 7-3 across their last ten games played. Other under-the-radar teams riding hot streaks during Tuesday’s slate include Montreal, Boston, Dallas, and Vancouver. The playoff push is heating up now, so teams are keeping their star players on the ice a bit longer during shifts to gain an edge, while others opt to rest their star players, creating more opportunities for second and third-line attack units across the league. Of course, it always depends on coaching strategy, personnel, and the opponent.
Saturday’s recommended prospects fared well, as Artemi Panarin (LW – NYR) led all skaters with five points, including four assists, during a dominant 7-4 win over the Dallas Stars. Panarin was available at $7,300 on FanDuel and was the top performer, returning five times the value anticipated before the puck drop. Yanni Gourde (C – SEA) was the only other player to score a goal asides from Panarin, but John Klingberg (D – DAL) did notch two assists to boost his value. Ben Chiarot (D – MTL) also contributed an assist, but Patrice Bergeron (C – BOS) and Alex DeBrincat (LW – CHI) fell short of producing points, despite their high shot volume. The goaltenders proved to be the sore spot, as Anton Forsberg (G – OTT) surrendered six goals to Chicago and John Gibson (G – ANA) was replaced by Anthony Stolarz (G – ANA), which proved to be irrelevant since the Ducks lost 2-1 to New Jersey.
Busy slates demand high-caliber players. I’ve scoured all of the prospects and have narrowed it down to eight players who offer either high-value or high-upside in DFS lineups on Tuesday night. Let’s jump in!
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Recommended Plays: DraftKings
DraftKings maximum salary is set at $50,000
Roope Hintz (C – DAL): $5,700
During his fourth year with the Dallas Stars, Roope Hintz has already set his career-high in points, notching 49 points through 55 games played. The 25-year old skates on the Stars’ first-line attack and earns additional minutes on their second powerplay unit, which has allowed him to score 23 goals, tied second-most on the team behind only Jason Robertson (LW – DAL). On Saturday, Hintz netted two assists against the New York Rangers and has fresh legs facing Toronto’s reserve netminder Petr Mrazek (G – TOR) on Tuesday night. Mrazek has surrendered four goals in three straight starts, so his vulnerability should be quickly exposed by Hintz. He has not scored since February 27th, but Hintz has four assists across his previous three games played, so he’s equipped with a high floor at a discounted salary. Take advantage of Hintz’s value in a sneaky plus-matchup.
Jonathan Huberdeau (LW – FLA): $7,200
It’s going to cost you whenever you acquire the top point leader on arguably the best team in the league. Such is the case for 28-year old Jonathan Huberdeau, who has amassed an astounding 65 assists and 18 goals through 59 games played this season. Huberdeau skates on the Panthers’ second-line attack but top powerplay unit, where he has racked up over half of his assists. Huberdeau is another high-caliber talent enduring a goal drought but has been active in the assist column, entering Tuesday’s matchup against San Jose with a five-game point streak, including a four-assist outing against Philadelphia last week. Huberdeau’s shot volume varies dramatically, but it’s his nose for setting up scoring possessions that makes him worth the $7,200 salary on DraftKings. The Sharks are planning to deploy Zach Sawchenko (G – SJ) in the crease, which will be just his third start of the season. Sawchenko last allowed three goals on 36 shots in a 4-3 loss to Los Angeles last week. Huberdeau will take advantage of his inexperience and rack up a point or two, which makes him a valuable prospect to target on Tuesday’s DFS slate.
Erik Karlsson (D – SJ): $4,900
The veteran defenseman looked solid in his first game back against Los Angeles last week, netting two assists, while he was held in check for the majority of the second game against the Kings on Saturday. Erik Karlsson is one of the best at setting up scoring possessions and has 20 assists in just 35 games played this season. He’s also a capable goal-scorer, which is a necessary trait to possess against Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (G – FLA). Bobrovsky did allow the Sharks to score four goals back on January 29th, but Karlsson was absent recovering from his injury. Now that he’s healthy, Karlsson can extend the Sharks’ win streak and climb the Pacific Division to earn a Wild Card seed. Anaheim, Vegas, and Vancouver are all trending in the wrong direction, which should motivate Karlsson and the Sharks to continue producing offense. The Sharks have scored nine goals in their last two games, resulting in wins, so Karlsson is an excellent value at under $5,000 against the Panthers at home late Tuesday night.
Juuse Saros (G – NAS): $7,700
Coming off of a bad performance against St. Louis, allowing five goals in a 7-4 rout, Juuse Saros can now be acquired at a discount. He’s been phenomenal before the letdown game against the Blues, so don’t lose faith in him against Pittsburgh on Tuesday. The Penguins are a talented group, but they have been inconsistent and volatile all season. This will be Saros’ first matchup against the Pens this season, and Nashville desperately needs a win after being embarrassed at home over the weekend. Saros has a bristling 2.44 GAA, three shutouts, and 28 wins. Saros’ performance rides on Nashville’s ability to produce offense. Against Tristan Jarry (G – PIT), this is indeed possible. Saros is a discount, so take a slight chance and get solid value investing in the talented netminder.
Recommended Plays: FanDuel
FanDuel maximum salary is set at $55,000
Connor McDavid (C – EDM): $10,000
Teams are circling matchups against the Detroit Red Wings this season. Superstar Connor McDavid is a worthy investment despite his usual steep salary at the top of the slate. McDavid has scored three goals across his last two games and leads Edmonton with 83 points, including 32 goals. He’s riding a scoring momentum streak and will face Alex Nedeljkovic (G – DET), who has surrendered 12 goals across his last two starts. This included a matchup against Arizona, who scored seven goals with ease and much less talented personnel just a week ago. McDavid is set to explode in DFS lineups tonight, so don’t be left behind in arguably the juiciest goaltender matchup on Tuesday’s slate.
Cole Caufield (LW – MTL): $5,300
21-year old Cole Caufield has made strides during his second season in the league, earning minutes on Montreal’s second-line attack and top powerplay unit. The departure of Tyler Toffoli (RW – CGY) to Calgary opened opportunities for players like Caufield, which has allowed him to stack points in five of his previous six games played. He attempts at least three to four shots on goal per game and produced a multi-point game, including his ninth goal of the season, in his last outing against Philadelphia on Sunday. Arizona is on quite a run, but goaltender Karel Vejmelka (G – ARI) still has a 3.37 GAA and a 9-22 record for the Coyotes. His last start saw Vejmelka surrender three goals en route to a loss against Boston. Keep in mind the Canadiens have won seven games in their last ten matchups. Caufield is a solid investment against Arizona due to his recent surge in production and usage, so ride with the young winger in a plus-matchup.
John Klingberg (D – DAL): $4,700
I’m running right back to John Klingberg after Saturday’s strong two-assist showing against the New York Rangers. Two days of rest should only serve to help the 29-year old, who has stepped up his production recently, netting five points and riding a three-game point streak entering Tuesday’s matchup against Toronto. Petr Mrazek has surrendered at least four goals in four consecutive starts, so expect Klingberg to set up plenty of scoring possessions against a struggling netminder like Mrazek. Klingberg usually racks up a few shots on goal and blocked shots in the process, raising his floor and creating solid value at his sub $5,000 salary on FanDuel.
Thatcher Demko (G – VAN): $7,500
Thatcher Demko remains a strong goaltending candidate in DFS lineups despite consecutive losses in his last two starts for Vancouver. The 26-year old netminder gave up only two goals on 31 shots during his previous start against Tampa Bay, but the Cancuks failed to generate much offense, netting only one goal to wind up with a loss. Demko has been a bit more pedestrian in March than in February, but he gets a solid opportunity against the New Jersey Devils at home on Tuesday night. The Devils have only scored three goals in their last two games, and Demko is thirsty for a win. He’s talented enough to solely shift the momentum back in Vancouver’s favor against a lesser opponent like New Jersey, so plug him into lineups with confidence at a discount.
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.