This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's a 12-game night in the NHL on Thursday. With a full schedule, you don't have to go out of your way to look for contrarian options because of the deep player pool. Here are a handful of players to consider while filling out your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN vs. CGY ($8,600): The Flames are weak on the road dating back to last season with a 16-24-2 record and average of 2.46 goals per game. Jones is just one outing removed from a solid three-game stretch in which he allowed exactly one goal three straight times with a .959 save percentage. Additionally, the Sharks have allowed just 9.45 high-danger scoring chances per game at five-on-five, ninth in the league, whereas Calgary has generated the eighth fewest (9.05).
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR at BUF ($6,100): Despite missing the scoresheet in four consecutive games, Matthews has 16 shots on net, and he's received his highest minute totals in the past three games. This game could be low-scoring, but given his recent shot volume and role (65.9 percent of shifts beginning in the offensive zone), Matthews is a solid option at this price point.
Jaden Schwartz, STL vs. DAL ($4,800): From 2013-14 through '14-15, Schwartz posted 2.11 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five, which ranked 26th among skaters with at least 1,000 minutes, He has just two points through six games this season despite averaging 19:35 per night with 3:46 of power-play time. Dallas has allowed 3.22 goals per game to start the year and the ninth-most scoring chances per 60 minutes (22.47), so Schwartz is in strong position to break his early-season slump.
WING
Mats Zuccarello, NYR vs. EDM ($5,900): Dating back to the 2014-15 season, Zuccarello's 2.09 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five are good for 22nd in the league among skaters with at least 2,000 minutes. He's receiving 3:02 of power-play time per night this year and has posted five goals and three helpers over the first 10 games, remaining a steady producer for the Rangers' deep offense.
William Nylander, TOR at BUF ($5,100): A nice stack option alongside Matthews, Nylander has slowed down a bit as well, but the duo still boasts an impressive 4.43 goals for per 60 minutes at five-on-five. Put into perspective, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom have combined for a 2.55 mark dating back to the 2014-15 campaign. Call it a hunch that Nylander and Matthews kick their recent funk Thursday.
Vladislav Namestnikov, TAM vs. BOS ($3,500): Despite missing the scoresheet in each of his past four games, Namestnikov is coming off a five-shot game in which he received 6:28 of power-play time. Boston has been shorthanded the third-most times in the league, so he remains a solid low-priced flier given his role on the No. 1 power-play unit.
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. DAL ($5,600): As noted, Dallas is yielding plenty of offensive opportunities to opponents, and Shattenkirk is locked in as the power-play quarterback on the top unit. In particular, the Stars own the 27th-ranked penalty kill (73.5 percent), while Shattenkirk has collected five power-play points already and averages 4:00 per game with the man advantage.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. PHI ($4,700): With an average of 5:05 of power-play time through his past three games, Leddy's an excellent mid-priced target to fill out your blue line. Philadelphia has allowed 3.73 goals per game this year, second highest in the league, and the Flyers enter on the wrong end of back-to-back games.
