This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
All but one playoff spot is currently locked up, though the Canadiens are all but destined for the fourth spot in the North Division. As such, some teams have opted to rest players outright, while others are exercising extra caution with their banged-up players. Backup goalies could garner some extra work, too. This adds some uncertainty to the betting lines, and there are no significant favorites as a result. The Jets (-177) are the largest favorites as of Sunday night, and no games have higher than a 6.0 O/U.
A few games that hold significant seeding implications are as follows. The Avalanche and Golden Knights play for the final time this season as both teams seek first place in the West. The Bruins and the Islanders will play their penultimate game against each other with third place in the East on the line. The Lightning and Panthers will finish up their regular seasons with home ice in the first round on the line; they'll play each other in the playoffs.
All advanced statistics are courtesy of Natural Stat Trick.
GOALIES
Jake Oettinger, DAL at CHI ($8,200): The Blackhawks suited up 10 rookies Sunday night, and they'll likely put forward a similar formation Monday. Of course, they overcame their inexperience with a win over Anton Khudobin and the Stars yesterday, but Oettinger will have a chance to bounce back. The 22-year-old has registered a .920 save percentage or better in five of his last eight appearances.
Petr Mrazek, CAR at NSH ($8,000): I'd be a bit surprised if Mrazek actually starts, but it's basically a toss up between him, James Reimer ($8,000) and Alex Nedeljkovic ($7,800). All three goaltenders have impressed this season, and the matchup against the shot-happy Predators provides immense upside.
Cal Petersen, LA vs. STL ($7,200): The lack of offensive support is an ongoing concern for Petersen, but you understand that there's some additional risk with a goalie priced this low. The 26-year-old has been solid this season, though, recording a .914 save percentages and a 2.82 GAA. The Blues enter this game ranked 29th over the last two weeks with a mere 1.67 xGF/60.
VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR at NSH ($5,700): Svechnikov is finally back in form and creating chances, as he sits eighth in the league over the past 10 games with 3.33 xGF/60 at even strength. But we know the 21-year-old does plenty of damage with the extra man, too, and he gets a juicy opportunity against Nashville's 29th-ranked PK (74.9 percent).
Jack Hughes, NJ at PHI ($4,900): We love a value play with upside, and Hughes has posted two points in three of the last seven games. He's showing why his elite hockey sense and speed were the selling points towards his first-overall selection in 2019, and now he'll take aim at a highly inconsistent Flyers defensive and goaltending situation.
Travis Konecny, PHI vs. NJ ($4,600): Konecny will fail to hit the 20-goal threshold for the first time since the 2016-17 campaign, as he sits with just 11 goals and 22 assists through 49 games. Nevertheless, the 22-year-old handles top-line minutes at even strength and the power play, and the latter will come in handy against the Devils' last-ranked PK (70.4 percent).
Jordan Kyrou, STL at LA ($3,400): Kyrou posted six points over four games before going on a three-game pointless streak, but he shouldn't stay cold for long. The 23-year-old has been buzzing lately, forcing turnovers and generating chances on the fly. If you're fading the Petersen pick against the Blues, Kyrou is the best value play you'll find.
LINE STACKS
Oilers at Canadiens
Connor McDavid (C - $9,200), Jesse Puljujarvi (W - $5,000), Dominik Kahun (W - $2,700)
McDavid has reached the century mark thanks to 31 points over the last 11 games. If you want to bet against him at this point, that's your prerogative. Puljujarvi's a solid scorer; Kahun isn't. But the two help keep the price manageable with McDavid's salary skyhigh.
Jets vs. Canucks
Mark Scheifele (C - $6,900), Kyle Connor (W - $6,900), Blake Wheeler (W - $5,800)
Since Wheeler returned from injury, he and Scheifele have been on fire, combining for 14 points through eight games. Connor posted just one point -- a goal -- in that stretch, but that's an improbable pace that is bound to enjoy some positive regression sooner than later. This matchup is ideal for that to happen, too, as the Canucks rank 26th over the last month with 2.59 xGA/60.
Devils at Flyers
Nico Hischier, NJ at PHI (C - $5,100), Pavel Zacha (W - $4,400), Jesper Bratt, (W - $4,100)
The Devils' second line has been humming, and Zacha has been leading the way with six goals and three helpers over the past eight games. Hischier and Bratt added a combined nine points in that stretch. Five of the trio's collective points came with the man advantage, which should play into their advantage because the Flyers' PK is just a tick better than the Devils', ranking 30th at 72.7 percent.
DEFENSEMEN
Alec Martinez, VGK vs. COL ($6,400): Martinez has reached the shot-block bonus in more than half the games this season, and he's starting to heat up offensively with five points over the past four contests. The Avalanche are certainly a tough foe, but he already has two goals and two helpers against them this year.
MacKenzie Weegar, FLA vs. TB ($5,600): Weegar has generated 10 points over the last seven games. He's not just getting lucky, either. The 27-year-old leads all NHL defensemen and is second among all skaters with 3.76 xGF/60 at even strength over the last 10 outings. His rock-solid floor in the form of shots and blocked shots is simply an added bonus.
Sean Walker, LA vs. STL ($4,400): Walker is picking up the pace with the end of the season on the horizon, as he's scored twice and dished out five helpers over the past five games. All of his
Brady Skjei, CAR at NSH ($3,600): It wouldn't be surprising if Jaccob Slavin (lower body) sits out as a precaution, and Skjei is a candidate to bump into the first pairing. He has simply modest offensive upside, but the opportunity is intriguing nonetheless. Jake Bean ($2,500) is also an option, and his ceiling is admittedly higher.
