Here are the top line-stacking options for Saturday's 10-game slate.
W Justin Williams and W Andre Burakovsky, Capitals (at Sabres)
The Capitals' second-line duo, along with their center, Evgeny Kuznetsov, has been in great form of late. Williams has four points and 15 shots on goal in his last three games, while the budget-friendly Burakovsky has recorded four points in his last two outings. The much pricier Kuznetsov also has four points in his last two games, along with eight shots, but given the similar production of the three, the two cheaper players are the recommended pairing.
Buffalo's a decent defensive team, ranking just outside the top third in terms of fewest goals allowed and in the middle of the pack for shots against, but it's in tough against a Capitals club that's won five straight games while scoring 22 times in the process.
C Ryan Johansen and W Kevin Fiala, Predators (vs. Wild)
Johansen has made an instant impact since arriving in Nashville, assuming the role of top-line center and registering two goals, four assists and 15 SOG in four games in his new uniform.
While W James Neal is a proven goal scorer, and perhaps had a breakout game Thursday with a goal and an assist, he's too inconsistent (26 points in 44 games) for his price tag. Rookie Kevin Fiala played alongside the pair in his NHL debut, scoring once and firing five shots on goal. Available at the absolute minimum price on most DFS sites, he makes for a budget-friendly combo with the red-hot Johansen.
W Tomas Hertl and C Joe Thornton, Sharks (vs. Stars)
Hertl had the best game of his season last Saturday against Toronto, scoring twice on five shots and adding an assist in a 7-0 win. Since then, he has only one assist and eight shots in three subsequent games, but he's still playing top line minutes alongside Thornton and Joe Pavelski, so the opportunity to produce is clearly there.
Thornton has been extremely consistent of late, with two goals and four assists in his last four games. He's only shot twice in that span, but somewhat makes up for that deficiency through his role on the first power play unit, an advantage he has over Hertl.
Dallas conceded four first period goals in a Friday loss to Anaheim, the league's lowest-scoring team, and has lost five of six games overall, allowing four or more goals in three of those losses.
