This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
There's no baseball Monday, as the World Series doesn't begin until Tuesday. Unfortunately, there also aren't a ton of hockey games. There are two games on the NHL slate, so the pickings are slim. Still, here are some options than stand out…
GOALIE
San Jose Sharks, SAN at NYR ($16,100): This is really about process of elimination. The Maple Leafs and Rangers have both struggled defensively. The Kings have been stout in goal, but they are on the road against the best offense in the NHL. Meanwhile, the Rangers have only averaged 2.67 goals per game, and the Sharks have allowed a mere 28.3 shots on net per contest.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS at TOR ($13,900): Kopitar had terrible shooting luck last season, but this year his luck has done a complete 180. He's tallied six goals and five assists in seven contests, even though he actually hasn't been as prolific as usual on the power play just yet. Toronto has allowed 3.50 goals per game this season, and its goalies have a collective .891 save percentage. It's a small sample size, but last year the Leafs gave up 2.85 goals and 32.6 shots on net on average.
Logan Couture, SAN at NYR ($13,200): Couture is also off to a hot shooting start, as a hat trick in his last game gives him six goals on the season. He also has four points with the extra man, and he had 15 power-play points in 73 games last year. After posting a .910 save percentage last season, Henrik Lundqvist has a .901 mark this year.
WING
Dustin Brown, LOS at TOR ($12,000): Brown has been firing on all cylinders out of the gate with five goals and six assists through seven games. It may seem like a fluke, but there are some reasons to believe. He's averaged 19:42 per game, over three minutes more than last season. He's also played 3:33 per game on the power play and has 30 shots on net. As noted, the Maple Leafs have struggled defensively since last season, so Brown's hot start could very well continue.
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. SAN ($9,600): Kreider started a team-high 55.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone last season. Kreider only has one goal, but he's taken 26 shots on net in nine contests. With only two games on the docket, it's worth taking a shot on Kreider at this price.
Kevin Labanc, SAN at NYR ($8,500): Speaking of favorable starting positioning, Labanc has started a whopping 71.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. The 21-year-old has five points so far, including three with the extra man. The Rangers have allowed 3.44 goals per game this year, so there's no reason to fear the Blueshirts at the moment.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin, LOS at TOR ($9,000): Muzzin is off to a great start, as he's averaged 17.42 fantasy points per game. After not notching a point in the Kings' opener, he has a point in six straight games. He's tallied three power-play points and 12 blocked shots. The only rearguard with more fantasy points on average playing Monday is Drew Doughty.
Brady Skjei, NYR vs. SAN ($6,300): Skjei started 58.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone last season, most of any Ranger that played more than 31 games. This year, that number is up to 62.2 percent. Skjei has 24 shots on goal through nine contests, and he's averaged 11.55 fantasy points per game. For a player this cheap, Skjei has a lot of upside.
