This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
Seven games are on the National Hockey League schedule Thursday, with the Canadiens are the only team playing the second leg of back-to-back contests – they're in Detroit after falling to Boston on Wednesday. The Blackhawks also visit the Predators for the second game of their home-and-home series.
Player Recommendations
G: Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. CBJ ($5,000): Take the savings and run out a star-studded lineup Thursday. Hellebuyck is 3-0 and has stopped 83 of the 86 shots he's faced thus far. Columbus enters averaging just 1.8 goals per game through their past five outings with a 1-2-2 record, and the Jets are eyeing a run to rejoin the playoff conversation.
C: Steven Stamkos, TB vs. OTT ($5,550): The former Rocket Richard winner has gone six games without a goal dating back to Nov. 21. And while he has three assists during that span, the lack of offensive production has been a season-long issue for Stamkos. However, Tampa Bay is beginning to get healthy, and Ottawa enters allowing 3.0 goals per game on the road this season as well as 3.0 over their past five games. Look for Stamkos to get on track Thursday.
C: Sean Monahan, CGY vs. BUF ($5,000): With a goal and three assists over his past three games, Monahan is picking up his offensive game. He also has 14 shots and a plus-3 rating while averaging 21:08 per game on the ice over that span. The Sabres have lost two consecutive games and allowed 3.2 goals per game over their past five, too.
W: Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. PHI ($5,700): Mr. Scores-a-Lot continues to do just that, with his 11 even-strength goals tied for the league lead. The Flyers have allowed 2.93 goals per game on the road and make for a target-worthy matchup, given their weak defensive play.
W: Magnus Paajarvi, STL vs. PHI ($3,300): Joining Tarasenko on the Blues' No. 1 line is a huge opportunity for Paajarvi, and he contributed a helper his last time out. The savings and exposure to Tarasenko make Paajarvi an excellent value lean Thursday.
W: Johnny Gaudreau, CGY vs. BUF ($5,250): The sophomore has found his form of late with five goals and four helpers over his past eight games. Gaudreau has a plus-4 rating and is averaging 21:11 minutes per night during the span, too. Buffalo is playing the final leg of their three-game road trip through Western Canada, and they allowed nine goals through the first two stops.
W: Blake Wheeler, WPG vs. CBJ ($5,550): An outing removed from a six-game point streak, Wheeler is rolling along with nine goals and 18 helpers through28 games. He has been one of the most consistent scorers in the league and also averages 2.79 shots per game. While the matchup isn't ripe for profit, Wheeler dropped a multi-point showing on Columbus earlier this season.
D: Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. PHI ($5,100): The power-play quarterback is scorching-hot with 12 points -- four goals – and 27 shots over his past 11 games. Look for the St. Louis power play to fare well against Philly, as the Flyers have killed off just 79.6 percent of penalties and have allowed 2.93 goals per game on the road. Shattenkirk is a high-floor option, given his offensively tilted role.
D: Anton Stralman, TB vs. OTT ($4,350): As has been the case for his teammates, Stralman has found offensive production difficult to come by. He owns a plus-4 rating with 18 shots and nine blocked shots over his past six games, though, so the foundational stats buoy his value. Ottawa enters allowing 3.0 goals per game on the road and over their past five, and Stralman's role on the No. 1 power-play unit should be a benefit against an Ottawa team that has a poor penalty-killing rate of just 77.7 percent.
