This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Here we are. Saturday was to be the final day of the NHL season, a postponed Panthers-Bruins game changed that, which means 30 teams are in action. 14 of them are playing in the evening, and they are the ones included in the daily fantasy hockey contests. Here are some players I recommend to try and end the season on a high note.
GOALIE
Frederik Andersen, TOR vs. MON ($8,400): Andersen hasn't been great recently, but he does have an excellent matchup to take advantage of on Saturday. The Canadiens are 11-25-4 on the road and 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Montreal is also 30th in goals per game (2.53) but in away games that number falls to a league-worst 2.25.
CENTER
Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. BUF ($7,100): Trocheck doesn't have a goal in his last seven games, but he he's notched four assists and 28 shots on net during that stretch. Plus, he has 30 goals on the year, so he clearly knows how to score. The Sabres have allowed 3.34 goals per game, third-highest in the NHL. On top of that, they are on the second night of a back-to-back, and they just gave up seven goals to the Lightning.
David Krejci, BOS vs. OTT ($5,700):Krejci has notched 43 points in 62 games, including 13 on the power play. Like the Sabres, the Senators are on the road for the second day of a back-to-back. Additionally, Ottawa has a 3.44 goals-against average, the second highest rate in the league. The Sens also rank 28th in penalty-kill percentage, so Krejci could take advantage of that.
WING
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. VAN ($6,400): Nugent-Hopkins scored a goal in his return to action in Edmonton's last game, and not coincidentally he's once again skating alongside Connor McDavid. Before getting banged up and missing two contests, he racked up 14 points in 14 outings. The Canucks sport a 3.17 GAA, so RNH could see more benefit from McDavid's quest to pad his point total.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG vs. CHI ($6,000): Ehlers is on a four-game point streak, which brings his season total to 60. That includes a career-high 29 goals on 229 shots. Don't be surprised if he gets to 30 against the Blackhawks. Since the All-Star break, Chicago has posted a 3.58 GAA, which is tied for the worst in the NHL.
Teuvo Teravainen, CAR vs. TAM ($5,800): The Lightning have slumped to a 3.32 GAA since the All-Star break, and they just gave up five goals to a Sabres team that ranks last in goals per game. Either Andrei Vasilevskiy, who has struggled down the stretch, will have to play his second game in as many nights or Louis Domingue (3.44 GAA, .892 save percentage) will be in goal. The most-notable thing about Teravainen is his 20 power-play points, and the Lightning own the 27th-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSEMEN
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. STL ($5,700) Barrie has enjoyed this year, notching a career-high 56 points – 13 goals and 43 assists – in only 67 contests. He's also served as a tremendous power-play force, tallying 29 points with the extra man. The Blues are on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and they will be starting Jake Allen, who may be vulnerable with his .906 save percentage on the season and a 3.85 GAA/.869 save percentage in his last four appearances.
Morgan Rielly, TOR vs. MON ($5,200): Rielly has notched 14 points in his last 14 games – all assists – and has tallied 24 power-play points this season. Those numbers bode well, as the Canadiens have the 30th-ranked penalty kill, and rank last since the All-Star break. Montreal has also struggled on the road by posting a 3.53 GAA, which is the highest mark in the NHL.
