This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The start of the NHL season has been a lot of fun. We've gotten some really good games, and we've seen young players like Auston Matthews make huge impacts already. Friday is a bit of a step back, as there are only three games, one of them is a rematch between Edmonton and Calgary. However, that doesn't mean you have to take the day off from daily fantasy. That's why they call it "daily."
GOALIE
Corey Crawford, CHI at NAS ($8,800): Crawford is the most expensive goalie available Friday, but he's still a good choice. Last time Edmonton and Calgary played, the score was 7-4. Meanwhile, Pekka Rinne really struggled last year and Jonathan Quick is injured; do you really want to ride Jeff Zatkoff? I didn't think so. Just go with the best goalie. He's a good bet to get a win, too.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at CGY ($4,700): Draisaitl is nominally Edmonton's third-line center, but he's still a good (if streaky) player. He averaged more than 2:30 of power-play time last season and played almost five minutes with the man advantage in Edmonton's first game against Calgary – not to mention that the Oilers scored seven goals in that first matchup. At such a cheap price, he's a nice potential value.
Jeff Carter, LAK vs. PHI ($6,100): Carter puts a lot of shots on net. Last year, he had 242 in only 77 games, scoring 24 goals in the process. He only had one shot in LA's season opener against San Jose, but playing Philly at home is an easier matchup, and he's reasonably priced.
WING
Tyler Toffoli, LAK vs. PHI ($5,700): Toffoli really took his game to the next level last season, scoring 31 goals on 213 shots. He also netted a goal in LA's season opener. The 24-year-old is right in his prime, and he should be one of the better goal scorers in the league once again.
Milan Lucic, EDM at CGY ($5,700): Lucic didn't get on the scoresheet in Edmonton's opener, but that time is coming. We're talking about a real scoring threat playing on a line alongside Connor McDavid both at even strength and on the power play. He'll get his in time, and a rematch with Calgary could be his first chance to light the lamp for the Oilers.
Sam Bennett, CGY at EDM ($4,200): While Edmonton scored seven goals against Calgary in the opener, the Flames scored four goals in their own right. The Oilers struggled defensively last year, and Bennett scored 18 goals as a 19-year-old. He's playing on the second line and gets power-play time, too. At just $4,200, he could be a steal.
Jakub Voracek, PHI at LAK ($6,400): Since the Kings are starting their backup goalie Friday, getting a Flyer in your lineup to take advantage of that makes sense. Voracek is the least expensive of the viable Flyers, at least while Brayden Schenn ($6,000) is out with a suspension. The Czech is coming off a down year, but if his shooting percentage bounces back to normal levels – and it should – so will his productivity.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin, LAK vs. PHI ($5,100): Muzzin isn't as big of a name as teammate Drew Doughty. However, he notched 40 points last year while averaging more than 23 minutes a night on the ice. He's a bit overshadowed, which makes him a bit underrated, which makes him a good buy at $5,100.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at CGY ($4,100): A healthy Klefbom played almost 25 minutes in Calgary's opener, including more than six minutes on the power play. The Oilers clearly have great expectations from the young Swede, who's considered their top blueliner. As such, his extremely reasonable price in conjunction with this matchup makes him a great value.
