W Kevin Fiala, Predators (vs. Wild)
Fiala had quite an NHL debut Thursday against Winnipeg, registering a goal and five shots while playing alongside Ryan Johansen and James Neal on Nashville's top line.
Minnesota allows the fifth-fewest goals per game - 2.32 - but given the rookie's minimum price on most DFS sites and prominent role, it won't take much to return value, even if he can't quite match the impact of his first game.
C Joseph Blandisi, Devils (at Coyotes)
The injury-ravaged Devils recalled Blandisi for his second stint with the club earlier in January, and he's ascended to the top line alongside Kyle Palmieri and Adam Henrique, who rank second and fourth, respectively, in team scoring.
In three January games, Blandisi has an assist and six shots, and he hasn't played fewer than 14.5 minutes. He had 21 points in 24 AHL games this season, and the opportunity to produce is clearly there given his talented linemates. Expected Arizona starting goaltender Louis Domingue has been in strong form this season, but has given up three goals in each of his last two starts, so there's some hope for a Devils offense that has scored six goals combined in as many games.
D Nikita Zadorov, Avalanche (at Blue Jackets)
A 2013 first-round pick of the Sabres, Zadorov had featured for Colorado earlier in the season, but was re-called from the AHL in time for his first action of the new year on Thursday. Available at the minimum price on most DFS sites, the 20-year-old Russian played 19.5 minutes and registered three shots against New Jersey.
He's currently alongside Francois Beauchemin on the team's top pairing, and while Tyson Barrie has a monopoly on power play time, Zadorov has some offensive upside, given his eight goals and 10 assists in 28 AHL games this season.
G Louis Domingue, Coyotes (vs. Devils)
Despite the earlier endorsement of Blandisi, Domingue is difficult to go without, as he's still among the cheapest expected starters on Saturday's slate. Given New Jersey's recent offensive futility and the fact Arizona (and Domingue) had won four straight games prior to an overtime loss to Detroit on Thursday, it's easy to back the Quebec native to return to his winning ways on Saturday.
The rookie boasts a 7-2-3 record this season, with a 2.21 GAA and a .928 save percentage, solidifying his hold on a starting role in the desert.
