This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
Thursday brings 12 games, 24 teams and a $45,000 salary cap to fit eight skaters and a goalie. While the huge player pool leads to endless lineup possibilities, here are six solid values, a star scorer and a bounce-back candidate in net.
Player Recommendations
G: Ben Bishop, TB vs. CGY ($7,650): Despite limiting opponents to two goals or fewer in each of his last five outings, Bishop has failed to register a single win during the stretch. His ratios (.920 save percentage and 2.24 goals-against average) are actually better than last season (.916 save percentage, 2.32 GAA). Additionally, this is a ripe spot for Bishop to grab the win against Calgary, and remember, Bishop went 27-6-1 with a .925 save percentage and a 2.15 GAA at home last season.
C: Jack Eichel, BUF at FLA ($4,600): With consecutive multi-point games and three goals and three helpers over his past five games, the results are finally hitting the score sheet. He's a high-volume shooter who offers nice profit potential at his cap-effective salary. Plus, Eichel receives all the right offensive minutes, including No. 1 power-play unit looks. Plus, Florida has allowed 15 goals over their past four games and has a target-worthy 75.5 penalty kill percentage.
C: Jeff Carter, LA vs. NYI ($5,050): While he had a scorching-hot stretch snapped with a scoreless outing last time out, Carter still registered six shots on net. He's averaging 18:54 minutes of ice over his past 10 games, returning seven goals and six helpers with a plus-7 rating and 33 shots on net.
W: Nikita Kucherov, TB vs. CGY ($5,050): First, this is a prime matchup with Calgary allowing 3.88 goals per game for the season and killing penalties at just a 75 percent clip. Kucherov also has three goals, four assists and 25 shots on net over his past six games with an average of 18:28 minutes of ice time. Add his integral role on the No. 1 power-play unit and there is a lot to like here.
W: Tyler Toffoli, LA vs. NYI ($5,000): The Kings' rising young star has nine goals and three assists with a plus-8 rating and 29 shots on goal over his past 12 games, and he has at least one point in nine of the 12 outings. Interestingly, his current career trajectory models the annual statistical growth he showed in both the Ontario Hockey League and the American Hockey League. The 23-yar-old is a strong value, given that he appears primed for a breakout season and is well on his way to flirting with 35 goals.
W: Alex Ovechkin, WAS at PHI ($5,900): The Flyers are allowing the second-most scoring chances in the league, and Ovechkin enters following a 15-shot showing in his last game. He has 36 shots over his past four games and has earned at least 3.0 fantasy points at FantasyAces in each of his past six outings. Philly's 78.9 penalty-kill percentage is an added bonus.
W: Alex Killorn, TB vs. CGY ($4,250): There isn't any recent production to support a speculative stab on Killorn, but he is playing with Tyler Johnson and Kucherov in all situations, and Killorn played 19:35 minutes last time out. As noted previously, Calgary has had trouble keeping opposing offenses in check.
D: Oliver Ekman-Larsson, ARI vs. EDM ($5,000): With nine assists, 30 shots and an average 26:09 of ice time per game over his past 11 outings, Ekman-Larsson has been a solid offensive contributor whose high-shot volume mitigates his plus-minus risk. The Oilers are also entering on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and are allowing 3.12 goals per game this season.
D: Colin Miller, BOS vs. COL ($2,500): One game removed from a six-game point streak, Miller is a top source of cap relief from the player pool Thursday. While his minutes -- just an average of 15:19 for the season -- are a concern, Miller is receiving power-play looks, and he posted three power-play assists during his recent point streak. He's starting 55.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and the Avalanche aren't a stout defensive team by any means.
