This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are just three games in the NHL on Monday, so it's a shallow player pool. Three playoff teams are visiting three teams on the outside of the postseason looking in, while and Buffalo is on the wrong end of a back-to-back set. With that in mind, here are a handful of recommendations to considering while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Jimmy Howard, DET vs. OTT ($8,100): This is a sneaky schedule spot for the Red Wings with Ottawa playing the final stop of a five-game road trip, especially since the Senators have lost each of the first four contests and eight of their past 10 overall. Howard has allowed nine goals through his prior two starts, so he needs all the help he can get and should be viewed as a contrarian flier. Petr Mrazek ($7,600) is a potential pivot if he receives the starting nod.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR at BUF ($7,200): It's been a season of offensive peaks and valleys for the freshman, and with seven tallies, 11 points and 27 shots through his latest eight games, he's in another hot stretch. Matthews also grabs the Sabres on the second leg of a back-to-back set, and Buffalo has allowed the fourth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.1) over the past 25 games.
Phillip Danault, MON at FLA ($4,200): As long as Danault is centering Montreal's two best wingers (Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov), he's a solid value play. This matchup is further encouraging with Florida missing a number of key cogs and starting its third-string netminder. Reto Berra has lost his latest two starts with 10 goals allowed, after all. Danault also enters in strong form with three goals, seven points and 19 shots through his past eight outings.
WING
Max Pacioretty, MON at FLA ($7,500): Heating back up of late with two goals, six points and 16 shots through his past four outings, look for Pacioretty to continue rolling against the vulnerable Panthers. Pacioretty offers a high fantasy floor because he's locked into top offensive minutes in all situations and is a high-volume shooter (3.36 shots per game).
Tomas Tatar, DET vs. OTT ($5,300): It's been a solid offensive run for Tatar dating back to mid-February (11 goals, 16 points and 45 shots through 21 games), and Ottawa enters in a tricky schedule spot, as noted. This is a manageable salary, and Tatar has combined with linemates Henrik Zetterberg and Gustav Nyquist for a solid 3.62 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five this year.
Gustav Nyquist, DET vs. OTT ($5,200): With four tallies, 15 points and 33 shots through his past 15 outings, Nyquist is clicking alongside Henrik Zetterberg and Tomas Tatar, and the 27-year-old Swede has five multi-point games during the stretch to highlight a high
ceiling. As noted, this isn't an ideal spot for Ottawa, as the Sens have allowed 14 goals through the first four games of their current road trip. Nyquist also stacks with Tatar for a low-priced duo.
DEFENSE
Shea Weber, MON at FLA ($5,200): While currently mired in a three-game point drought, Weber had posted two goals, two assists and 18 shots through his previous six games, so this has the makings of a bounce-back outing. The Panthers' shortcomings have been highlighted, and Weber is a solid cross-category contributor with both a high ceiling and a high floor. His decreased salary is most attractive, though.
Nikita Zaitsev, TOR at BUF ($4,000): The freshman has a goal and five assists through his past seven games while averaging 22:18 of ice time. Zaitsev also offers a reliable floor with 104 shots, 127 blocked shots and solid power-play time, so with his affordable salary and a cushy matchup, he's a solid target.
