This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
We've got another full slate of games Thursday, with 16 teams taking the ice. Only the Penguins are on the wrong end of back-to-back games; after they downed the Capitals on Wednesday, they'll be looking to keep things going against visiting Buffalo.
Other noteworthy storylines include the Ducks still struggling, the Canadiens looking to bounce back after losing their first game of the season Tuesday, and a marquee matchup between the Blackhawks and Jets at the MTS Centre.
Player Recommendations
G: Ben Bishop, TB vs. COL ($7,650): Colorado enters with a four-game losing streak while scoring an average of just 1.6 goals over their past five games. Meanwhile, Bishop has a 29-7-1 record at home since the start of last season. Look for the Lightning to bounce back, as they've lost consecutive games.
C: Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. BUF ($5,700): The pivot has two goals and four helpers over his past five games, and 37 points -- 12 goals -- through 30 career games against the Sabres. Malkin connected with Phil Kessel and David Perron on Wednesday, and the trio projects favorably against the Sabres, who are allowing 3.22 goals per game and kill penalties at a lowly 69.6 percent rate.
C: Cody Eakin, DAL vs. VAN ($4,550): When the Stars needed a comeback in their last outing, it was Eakin skating between Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. Eakin notched a second-period goal in the win, and he skated with the top duo in practice Wednesday, too. There's always the risk of Eakin being jettisoned from that line, but his price doesn't reflect the value boost received from skating with the best one-two punch in the league.
W: Josh Bailey, NYI vs. CAR ($4,450):Skating with John Tavares is a huge boon to Bailey's fantasy stock, and the winger has five points over his past five games. Last season, Bailey was markedly better flanking Tavares, and the duo produced an impressive 3.20 goals per 60 minutes. That gives him great value relative to his affordable price.
W: David Perron, PIT vs. BUF ($4,450): The winger notched his first point of the season Wednesday while showing well with Phil Kessel and Malkin, as the trio combined for 10 scoring chances. Perron has shot at a high volume through his career and has the sandpaper style to mesh with his two skilled linemates. As previously mentioned, the matchup is juicy, too.
W: Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. COL ($5,050): With just two goals through his first 10 games, Kucherov is officially off to a disastrous start, especially with just 21 shots during the slump. There was certainly cause for pause based on his unsustainable statistics from last season (most notably a 15.2 shooting percentage), but the pendulum has swung too far in the opposite direction. Colorado is allowing 3.12 goals per game, so the matchup is ripe.
W: Johan Larsson, BUF at PIT ($3,750): Finding upside sources of cap relief is a daily pursuit, and while it isn't an A-plus matchup, Larsson is a sneaky point producer who should carry a low ownership percentage. He has joined Jack Eichel at even strength, and the winger notched two assists in his first game in a top-six role this season. Don't forget that Larsson finished off last year with 13 points -- five goals -- through his final 17 games.
D: John Klingberg, DAL vs. VAN ($4,850): The rearguard has eight points -- two goals -- through nine games with a plus-2 rating, 17 shots and 12 blocked shots to start the year. A high-floor player and top-tier defenseman attached to a potent power play that's clicking at 30 percent for the season, Klingberg is currently priced at a huge bargain.
D: Anton Stralman, TB vs. COL ($4,350): This is a target-worthy price for Stralman. He tips the scales across all categories and lands in a favorable matchup. The Swedish blueliner mans the point on the No. 1 power-play unit and has a respectable five helpers through his first 10 games of the season.
