This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
After only two games on Friday, hockey roars back on Saturday with 26 teams in action. Along with a couple of classic matchups on tonight's schedule, you should have plenty of options from which to choose. Here are a few of the better values:
Goalie
Robin Lehner, BUF vs CAR ($7,200): Lehner should see a lot of shots in this matchup, as the 'Canes are averaging 35.8 per game – second-most in the league – while the Sabres are allowing almost 32 against per outing. His upside is solid considering how depressed his price point is against a team that hasn't played particularly well on the road. I like Lehner at home and expect the Sabres to score and provide him a good chance of picking up a victory.
Center
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs COL ($5,400): The Predators have been hot offensively with 18 goals in their last four games. Much of this production has come from the top line, which features Johansen, Viktor Arvidsson, and Filip Forsberg. This trio was extremely successful last season and they currently look to be running on all cylinders. Johansen has four points (one goal, three assists) in his last three after a dreadful start and draws a good matchup tonight.
Brayden Point, TB vs NYI ($5,300): The Lightning are fresh off of a monster game in which Point tallied a goal, thereby breaking a personal two-game pointless streak. The Islanders have allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to centers and Point – as the Bolts' number two pivot – has averaged three shots on goal over his last four appearances.
Wing
Richard Panik, CHI at PIT ($4,900): Panik's salary is back down to where it was at the start of the season after seeing his price peak at $5,500. He's skating on the Blackhawks' first line with Jonathan Toews and Brandon Saad and notched three assists in his last game, with five helpers over his last three. He has been solid for Chicago and posted a goal and assist in his only game against Pittsburgh this season.
Josh Bailey, NYI at TB ($4,900): After a brief three-game pointless streak, Bailey bounced back in his last outing with a power-play goal and an assist. Prior to that, he had recorded points in nine straight and has been productive since moving up to the first line with John Tavares and Anders Lee, with whom he also teams up with on the man advantage.
Andrew Shaw, MTL vs TOR ($3,600): Toronto has been horrible over the last four weeks against right wingers, allowing the most fantasy points to that position. Shaw is extremely underpriced, especially considering he skates on Montreal's first line and top power-play unit. He has just one goal in his last four games, but his salary provides a solid floor in a great home matchup.
Defense
Shea Weber, MTL vs TOR ($5,400): The Maple Leafs have also struggled with opposing defensemen, which bodes well for Weber who recently broke a four-game scoreless drought. He has a goal and an assist in his last two outings and is the eight-highest priced player at the position in arguably the best matchup on the slate.
Erik Johnson, COL at NSH ($4,400): Once a prized prospect, Johnson has underwhelmed throughout his career. Now with Colorado, he's seeing plenty of ice time. With an average of 26 minutes per game, he should have plenty of opportunity to produce against a Predators team allowing the fifth-most fantasy points to defensemen. Johnson offers a solid floor at a value price with double-digit fantasy points in eight of 17 contests this season.
