Here are the top against-the-grain selections for Saturday's 10-game slate.
D Brent Burns, Sharks (vs. Stars)
Burns is regularly among the priciest players at any position, not just defensemen. His near-point-per-game pace (18 goals, 22 assists in 42 games) and propensity to shoot (4.29 shots per game) and block shots (just over two per game) makes him one of the more reliable fantasy options around.
On a night where many of the top options on defense have poor matchups, it may make sense to pay up for Burns, especially given that Dallas has allowed four or more goals three times in losing five of six games.
C Patrice Bergeron, Boston (vs. Maple Leafs)
Despite a strong season overall, Bergeron hasn't registered a point in three straight games as the Bruins concluded a five-game road trip. Back in Boston, Bergeron should get back on track against the slumping Leafs, losers of four straight games and playing their third game in four nights.
Bergeron is among the pricier forwards, but he has 38 points in 43 games while shooting 3.45 times per contest, and should prove his worth against a Toronto team that's allowed 16 goals in its last four games.
W Vladimir Tarasenko, Blues (vs. Canadiens)
Despite 24 goals on the season, Tarasenko hasn't found the net in four straight games, despite shooting 13 times. His brief slump, combined with his still-high price, will likely cause him to be absent from many DFS lineups Saturday.
A bizarre stat in the Russian's favor is that he's gone pointless in only one of 12 Saturday games this season, while scoring at least once in eight of them. As well, the longest stretch he'd gone without a goal this season was three games; he's already at four, so Tarasenko looks overdue to score on what appears to be his favorite day of the week to do so.
G Craig Anderson, Senators (at Kings)
Anderson ranks second overall among goaltenders in total saves, only three behind leader Corey Crawford, despite having started three fewer games. Ottawa allows 33.5 shots per game, the most in the NHL, so save points are always going to be there for Senators goaltenders.
Anderson was victorious against the Kings in mid-December, stopping 33 shots in a 5-3 win. With Los Angeles ranking in the middle of the pack in terms of goals scored, there's a chance Ottawa could eke out a road win, and if not, there are always save points to fall back on.
