This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
It's the final Monday in March. The month may go out like a lamb, but you don't have to. There are six NHL games Monday, giving you a healthy supply of choices for your daily fantasy lineup. Some are better than others, though, and here are a handful of players that look like particularly enticing options.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. ARI ($8,300): The Coyotes have averaged a mere 28.4 shots on net per game, while the Blues have given up a paltry 28.1 shots on goal per contest. Allen, for his part, has a 1.71 GAA and a .943 save percentage in his last 17 games. Additionally, the Blues are 8-1-1 in their last 10 games, and Arizona is 11-23-4 on the road.
CENTER
Mikael Backlund, CGY vs. COL ($5,700): Backlund has averaged 3.1 fantasy points per game thanks in part to his 50 points, including 15 on the power play. He's also notched 185 shots on goal in 75 games, and in his last 11 contest he's tallied 32 shots. The Avalanche have allowed a whopping 3.35 goals per game, the most in the league by a wide margin. Colorado's goalies also have a .895 save percentage, and their penalty kill is ranked 27th.
Victor Rask, CAR vs. DET ($4,600): Rask has started 39.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, fourth most of any Hurricanes forward and a good number overall. He's tallied 166 shots on goal in 73 games, and he's also notched 10 points in his last 17 contests. The Wings are on the second night of a back-to-back, which means they will likely be starting Petr Mrazek (2.99 GAA, .901 save percentage) in this matchup. That makes things look a lot better from Rask's perspective.
WING
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at BUF ($5,900): Huberdeau has made it clear how much he's been missed since finally getting healthy, as he's averaged 3.5 fantasy points per game. This may be partially because he's started 41.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, most of any Panther. He's also averaged 2:23 per game with the man advantage, picking up five power-play points in 23 games. The Sabres have allowed a league-worst 34.3 shots on net per contest, and they also have the 28th-ranked penalty kill.
James Neal, NAS at NYI ($5,100): Neal has notched 23 goals on 192 shots in 65 games, and he's also tallied 12 power-play points. On top of that, he's potted five goals and two assists in his last nine contests. The Islanders have given up 2.99 goals and 32.0 shots on net per game, both of which rank in the bottom five in the NHL. Additionally, Neal has started 38.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, fifth most on the Predators. If he gets offensive opportunities against the Islanders, there's a good chance it will pay off for Neal.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY vs. COL ($4,700): Tkachuk has returned from his two-game suspension, which is good for fantasy players, as he notched 15 points in his 18 games before his suspension. He's also registered 12 power-play points in 69 games. Now the rookie gets to go up against the Avalanche, who have allowed 31.9 shots on net per game and, as previously noted, have given up 3.35 goals per contest. There is no better matchup available to a forward right now than Colorado.
DEFENSE
Ryan Ellis, NAS vs. NYI ($4,700): Despite playing alongside the likes of Roman Josi and P.K. Subban, Ellis has managed to average 3.2 fantasy points per game. However, because of his less glamorous name, he's available at a decidedly lower price. In his last 15 games, he's tallied 12 points, including five on the power play. As mentioned earlier, the Islanders have given up 2.99 goals and 32.0 shots on net per game. On top of everything else, Ellis has blocked 123 shots in 64 games.
Colton Parayko, STL vs. ARI ($4,500): Parayko has tallied 167 shots on net in 73 games, and he's averaged 21:04 per game in ice time. He's also notched 10 power-play points, and all four of his goals have come with the extra man. Arizona has allowed 3.17 goals and 33.8 shots on net per game, and they also have the 26th-ranked penalty kill. That puts the Coyotes in the bottom five in all three of those categories, which certainly seems to bode well for Parayko.
