This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
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This season is going to decide whether Carolina's impressive run last year was real or a fluke, and they're making it look like the former. They've taken down the Canadiens, Capitals and Lightning -- all legitimate contenders -- in one-goal games. They'll now face off against the Panthers, a team looking to carve out its own destiny, in this slate. The Golden Knights will also host the Bruins in a game of two final-four teams from last postseason, and both are undefeated through two games, allowing just one goal in each contest. Something's gotta give.
Goalies
Marc-Andre Fleury ($8,900) carries the highest price tag after allowing just one goal in each of his first two outings -- both wins. His counterpart, Tuukka Rask ($8,500), yielded one score in his only start so far, so it may be a low-scoring contest with Rask being the cheaper option on the road.
With last year's lowest-scoring team coming to town, Jimmy Howard ($7,200) comes in at a bargain. He was rock solid in the season opener with 39 saves on 42 shots, and he has a good shot at continuing the good work versus the Ducks, who he has a career .926 save percentage and 2.20 GAA against.
Petr Mrazek ($7,800) is coming off a lucky win against the Lightning where he allowed three goals on 13 shots but had enough offensive support to overcome it. He'll face off against Sergei Bobrovsky ($8,600) and the Panthers, and Bobrovsky hasn't been a star with seven goals allowed over two outings. Fanduel Sportsbook puts both goalies in danger of falling short of expectations with this game at 6.5 O/U.
Connor Hellebuyck ($7,400) is headed to Pittsburgh with a lot to prove, as he's already in a battle for the crease with Laurent Brossoit after allowing five goals on 31 shots in the season opener. The Penguins don't present as fierce of a test sans Evgeni Malkin (leg), but Matt Murray ($8,400) will make it tough to leave with a win since he's been lights out with a .930 save percentage through two games.
Value Plays/One-Offs
As mentioned earlier, Malkin has a long-term injury, so Jared McCann ($4,300) is bumping up to the second line and will continue manning the power play. The Jets' penalty kill ranked 22nd in the league last year (79.2 percent), and it's been a rough start this season as well. McCann's in a good position to build off of Saturday's three-point outing.
Also, consider plugging in Dominik Simon ($3,500) if you're tight on salary. He's set to flank Sidney Crosby ($8,500) on the top line which should get plenty of tread without Malkin.
Let's not forget that before James Neal ($4,700) laid a dud last year, he was a perennial 20-goal scorer. He had a blast from the past with two goals -- both on the power play -- against the Kings on Saturday. Neal's clearly taking advantage of his time on the man advantage with Connor McDavid, and he'll have a good shot to continue that success against the Islanders, who finished last year with a 14.5 penalty-kill rate, 29th in the league.
Jakub Vrana ($4,700) has a point in each game thus far, and the Capitals don't look like they're going to split up the second line even though Evgeny Kuznetsov ($7,400) is back from suspension. That means less eyes on Vrana and more bang for the buck of fantasy gamers.
Forward Line Stacks
Edmonton Oilers at New York Islanders
C - Connor McDavid ($9,100)
W - Leon Draisaitl ($8,400)
W - Zack Kassian ($4,300)
McDavid and Draisaitl have been spectacular through the first two games of the season with five points each. The Oilers relied heavily on the two, and they won't be changing course after getting off to a 2-0-0 start. The Islanders have been strong defensively thus far, but they were just as strong last year, if not more, and the two still combined for three goals and three assists in two matchups. Kassian looks like the right winger of choice, so tag him in too to keep the AAV down.
Dallas Stars at Washington Capitals
C - Roope Hintz ($5,400)
W - Mattias Janmark ($3,600)
W - Joe Pavelski ($6,700)
These three will start on a line together for the first time this season, and it feels wrong to say that Pavelski's the one who's under-performing out of the group. He has just one helper through three games compared to three points each for Hintz and Janmark. This is one of the cheapest line stacks on the market, so it does carry risk as Washington has allowed just six goals in three games.
Detroit Red Wings vs. Anaheim
C - Dylan Larkin ($7,500)
W - Anthony Mantha ($6,800)
W - Tyler Bertuzzi ($5,500)
Mantha will be a popular option in this slate since he's coming off a four-goal game, but Bertuzzi and Larkin combined for five assists in that effort. In total, the three have racked up eight goals and 16 points in two games. John Gibson ($8,200) has been stout so far, but this clan has the firepower to change that in his first road game.
Defensemen
Despite posting just one assist in three games, Brent Burns ($7,100) is the most expensive blueliner Tuesday. The second-most expensive option sits right behind Burns on the depth chart, as Erik Karlsson ($6,900) has one helper and a minus-4 rating through two games. We know either can erupt at any time, but you'll be paying a premium for players who haven't hit yet.
Justin Faulk was traded to St. Louis, so Dougie Hamilton ($5,200) has seen increased power-play responsibilities and over three minutes of additional ice time per game. He's put it to good use with four points -- three on the man advantage -- through three games. The Panthers have been a funnel for blue-line scoring, as their opponents' defensemen have racked up two goals and seven assists through the first two games. Jaccob Slavin ($4,700) has a goal in back-to-back games and could come in handy here as well.
Mark Giordano ($6,700) racked up 21 points on the power play last year en route to his Norris Trophy win, but he hasn't notched a point on the man advantage through two games. That's basically tough luck since he's on a power-play unit with Johnny Gaudreau ($7,800), Sean Monahan ($7,300) and Elias Lindholm ($5,500), who have combined for 10 points -- five on the power play -- in two games. Consider this the end of the line since the Kings finished 26th with a 77.7 penalty-kill rate last year.
