This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There are just four games on Monday with the Bruins looking to continue their regular-season dominance hosting the Penguins. Powered by their top line, the Bruins own the league's best goal differential at plus-19, and they've suffered only three losses this season. Both teams are top five in goals against and goal differential, and top 10 in SAT % (Corsi) and USAT % (Fenwick).
The Rangers have won two straight and they will try to climb back into the wild-card race. They're six points out but they've played the fewest number of games in the conference (11) and face the league-worst Senators.
The Red Wings' top line combined for nine points in a 5-3 victory against the Predators on Oct. 5, but since then they've trended in opposite directions. The Dead Things have been near-DOA with a 1-8-1 record in their past 10, while the Preds have lost just once in their past six, with the only loss coming against the Flames in OT.
The Coyotes have allowed the second-fewest goals in the league and should have the upper hand against the Oilers. After starting the season 5-0-0, the Oil are just 5-4-1 in their past 10 and lean on their one good offensive line heavily to win games. It should be a tough challenge against a balanced Coyotes team who doesn't mind grinding out low-scoring wins. Dave Tippett would be proud of his former team.
GOALIES
The Bruins are in a groove and expected starter Jaroslav Halak ($8,400) has been good this season, but the Pens are closer to full strength with Evgeni Malkin, and Matt Murray ($8,700) is on a heater (.963 Sv%, 2-0-1). The Bruins have the slight edge but it could be a really close call, a game decided in crushing fashion in OT or shootout.
The ever-reliable Pekka Rinne ($8,500) (7-0-2, .922 Sv%) has only allowed two goals or more just twice in nine appearances this season, and even though Detroit had his number last season (0-1-1, 3.41 GAA), the Preds are heavy favourites. The only scare is Detroit's top line.
Mike Smith ($8,000) was brilliant in his last start but the Coyotes are really look like a good team. They control the play very well (5th in SAT % and USAT %) and Darcy Kuemper ($8,400) is expected to start coming off a 33-shutout win against the Avs. According to HockeyViz, Arizona allows 21 percent fewer unblocked shots at even strength, and the Oilers are already third-last with 28.3 Shots/GP.
Alexandar Georgiev ($7,600) should be a popular pick against the league-worst Senators. He allowed just two goals in his past two games, and it's more impressive than usual because it was against Nashville and Tampa. Anders Nilsson ($7,500) was pulled in his last start (four goals on 16 shots in 26 minutes) but it was against the pretty-good Isles.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Alex Galchenyuk ($4,700) has missed quite a bit of time so it makes sense Mike Sullivan is easing him in. Playing on Malkin's line, Gally has played 11 and 14 minutes in his past two games and recorded six shots. He has yet to score this season but his upside playing with a talented offensive center may be worth a look.
Both Ryan Strome ($5,200) and Filip Chytil ($3,600) have a hot hand and face a team that doesn't defend very well. Strome has never looked better on Broadway with nine points in his past six games, and Chytil, showing good chemistry with Pavel Buchnevich at even strength and on the power play, has scored in both of his games this season.
First-round pick Barrett Hayton ($3,100) has scored basically all of his points over the past week and half, and currently plays with Phil Kessel and Christian Dvorak. They're putting a talented offensive player in a position to succeed.
And it just behooves me to mention James Neal ($5,600), who is still worth the money if he's producing at the same rate as Matthews and Ovechkin.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Boston Bruins (TOTAL: $25,500)
C – Patrice Bergeron ($7,600)
W – David Pastrnak ($9,200)
W – Brad Marchand ($8,700)
They're first, third and tied for 10th in league scoring. If the Bruins score any goals, there's a good chance these guys are behind it.
New York Rangers (TOTAL: $14,700)
C – Filip Chytil ($3,600)
W – Chris Kreider ($5,500)
W – Pavel Buchnevich ($5,600)
Buchnevich and Chytil are fun to watch and Kreider is playing well again. They've arguably been the Rangers' best line and they have an easy opponent.
DEFENSEMEN
Roman Josi ($6,600) will be a popular pick. He's a high-volume shooter with the highest FPPG playing against a team with mediocre defense and goaltending. Kris Letang ($6,400) isn't so great against a tough B's defense.
Torey Krug ($5,700) has four assists in his past five games, all of which have come on the power play. He's been a big reason why the B's power play is over 30 percent efficiency and looks primed for a big offensive season. His 10 points leads all B's defensemen by a margin of five.
Anthony DeAngelo ($4,600) has taken over the top power play unit and the Sens are tied for seventh with 53 minor penalties taken. He has plenty of upside playing with Artemi Panarin. Jacob Trouba ($5,300) has gone five games without a point but consistently a good source of shots and blocked shots.
Alex Goligoski ($4,500) is on a three-game assist streak and Oliver Ekman-Larsson ($5,400) is generally a safe pick, but don't forget about Jakob Chychrun ($3,600), who has just one goals in his past four games but plays quite a bit on the power play and shoots quite a bit, too.
