This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
The first Saturday of 2019 is a little less busy than usual for the NHL, but there's still a solid slate of games. We've got seven games Saturday evening, and here are some players I think you should strongly consider for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Carey Price, MON vs. NAS ($7,800): This may seem surprising, but hear me out. After returning from injury, Price posted a shutout in his first start back. That gives him an 8-2-0 record with a 2.16 GAA and .928 save percentage in his last 11 outings. Nashville is great defensively, but it is average offensively, and it will also be on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. As such, this game looks better for Price than it does on paper.
CENTER
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. STL ($6,900): The Barzal that won the Calder last year has returned! He has a six-game point streak, and a whopping 17 points in his last 12 contests. Meanwhile, in St. Louis, Jake Allen has a 3.10 GAA and .894 save percentage in his last 11 starts. These are two players going in opposite directions, and that bodes well for Barzal.
Pierre-Luc Dubois, CLM at FLA ($6,500): Dubois is playing two minutes more per game this season over his rookie year, and almost a full minute of that has come on the power play. While his production with the extra man has actually been a little disappointing (five power-play points), he's still got 36 points in 39 contests. Now he faces a Panthers team that has a 3.46 GAA, fourth highest in the NHL.
WING
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at LOS ($6,200): Draisaitl has two points in each of his last four games, giving him 51 points in 40 contests this year. The perks of playing with Connor McDavid, and also averaging 3:33 per game with the extra man. The German winger has 16 power-play points, and in this one he'll be squaring off with a Kings team that ranks 30th in penalty-kill percentage.
Tyler Johnson, TAM at SAN ($5,700): Johnson is technically on Tampa's second line, but that line also happens to feature Brayden Point and the NHL's leading scorer Nikita Kucherov. Sometimes it's better to be No. 2. His linemates have helped the 30-year-old notch seven goals and 12 points in his last 12 games. San Jose's Martin Jones only has an .897 save percentage this season, and over his last 10 starts that number has actually dipped to .892.
Connor Brown, TOR vs. VAN ($3,000): Hey, Brown is getting to skate on a line with John Tavares and Mitch Marner. That counts for something. He's also shooting at a 6.4 percent clip, well below his career average, so if he starts getting some puck luck, the points will follow. The Canucks will be a long way from home in this one, and they have a 3.20 GAA on the road. Brown could be a nice little bargain here.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. CLM ($5,300): Yandle has been a power-play machine this season. He's got 33 points in 39 games, but a whopping 22 of them have come with the extra man. The Blue Jackets are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and Joonas Korpisalo will likely be in net. Yandle will certainly hope that's the case, as the Finnish netminder has a 3.49 GAA and .884 save percentage.
Drew Doughty, LOS vs. EDM ($4,900): Finally, Doughty's offense seems to have returned. He has six points in his last nine games, including two of his four goals. The Oilers have the 23rd-ranked penalty kill, which is good for Doughty, but they also have struggled on the road. Edmonton has a 3.40 GAA in away games.
