As the NHL regular season winds down in its last couple of weeks, teams continue to battle for seeding and pride in a unique 56-game schedule pitting teams exclusively against the six or seven other teams within their division. At this point in the season, teams know a lot about one another, and it’s important to find value within lesser-known first, second, and third-line skaters. Understanding which goaltender teams plan on using between the pipes ahead of Tuesday’s five-game slate is crucial to constructing winning lineups, as Flyers’ reserve G Alex Lyon overcame a heinous 3.69 GAA on Monday to help defeat the Penguins 7-2 by logging 35 saves on 37 shots.
It’s important to note that all five games on Tuesday’s slate are either the second or third games of a series back-to-back, with all 10 teams having faced their opponent within the past 24 hours. Will new goaltenders make a significant impact on the results? Do the top skaters on playoff-bound teams earn more rest, or will they be motivated to play better than they did on Monday? Let’s check out a few value skaters to target in your lineups during Tuesday’s smaller five-game slate.
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Center
Sam Reinhart (BUF): $6,200 vs. NYI
Ironically, one of the best centers in the league can be rostered on the last-place Buffalo Sabres. The 25-year old Canadian has points in five of his last six games, including three multi-point outings, with his latest occurring against the Islanders on Monday. Despite facing a different Islanders’ G in Ilya Sorokin, who has a 2.18 GAA and .918 SV% across 21 starts, expect Reinhart to transfer his offensive momentum into Tuesday’s matchup at home, as he has 40 points and 25 goals in 52 games for the Sabres, showing his knack for finding the back of the net. Plug Reinhart into your lineups as a solid floor play with the ability to produce 20+ DFS points against an Islanders team that has already clinched a playoff berth.
Wing
Dominik Kubalik (CHI): $5,400 @ CAR
Dominik Kubalik is coming off of a multi-point performance during Monday’s 5-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, helping set up both goals to log two assists despite skating on the Blackhawks’ third-line. The 25-year old LW earns additional time on ice by skating on the team’s top power-play unit and enters Tuesday’s back-to-back with at least a point in three consecutive games. Kubalik is a great value play with 10 shots and four points across his last four starts and should be rostered with confidence to help cash your lineups Tuesday night.
Defense
Tyson Barrie (EDM): $5,900 @ VAN
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Tyson Barrie is one of the pricier options at the position but is well worth the salary in a top-heavy group. One of the most active defenders in the offensive zone, Barrie managed to get off three shots during Monday’s 5-3 win over Vancouver, turning one of them into a goal to extend his point streak. This selection is also reliant upon the Canucks’ projected G Thatcher Demko, who has allowed nine goals across his last two starts. Barrie has over 30 assists (35), averaging over 20 minutes of time on ice per game, which should make him a lock in your lineups with a favorable matchup on Tuesday night.
Goalie
Jeremy Swayman (BOS): $8,300 @ NJ
Boston blanked New Jersey 3-0 Monday night but are projected to start their young 22-year old G Jeremy Swayman in the net for Tuesday’s contest. Swayman gets his first start against a Devils team that ranks among the worst ten teams in the league for goals scored per game (2.67) and has an impressive resumé through nine starts behind Tuukka Rask, averaging an elite 1.62 GAA and .942 SV% including a shutout. Based on the anemic play of New Jersey’s offense and Swayman’s ability to stonewall shots in between the pipes, he should be one of the top goaltenders to target when constructing your lineups.
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Matthew MacKay is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Matthew, check out his archive and follow him @Matt_MacKay_.
