This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are 10 games in the NHL on Thursday. After a slew of stars going down with injuries over the past couple days, the fantasy landscape has shifted, and daily players will want to stay tuned for the latest news to be best prepared for Thursday's action. Here are a handful of players across multiple salary ranges to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. NJD ($8,500): With a career 25-13-3 record, .925 save percentage and 2.08 GAA at the Honda Center, Gibson checks out as a high-end option against the lowly new Jersey offense. Not only are the Devils traveling across the continent for this game, they're also averaging just 2.4 goals per game (23rd in the league) and 17.9 scoring chances per 60 minutes (29th). As a big bonus, New Jersey is missing key scorers Taylor Hall (knee) and Michael Cammalleri (personal).
CENTER
Mark Scheifele, WPG at PHI ($7,500): With 69 points through his past 64 games dating back to last season, this salary isn't prohibitive enough to fade Scheifele against Philadelphia. The Flyers have allowed a league-high 3.53 goals per game, and Scheifele is currently pacing the league in points while averaging 2.5 shots per game.
Radek Faksa, DAL vs. COL ($3,700): Quietly, Faksa finished last season with 11 points and 38 shots through his final 22 games, including the playoffs. Fast forward to Thursday, and he's projected to center Jamie Benn, which makes Faksa a potential low-priced flier with upside.
WING
Patrik Laine, WPG at PHI ($6,700): The rookie is averaging 18:58 of ice time per night (3:39 with the man advantage) and has posted a league-leading 12 goals. With a dreamy matchup and a reasonable salary, Laine stacks nicely with Scheifele as the go-to punch for a lineup, and you're not breaking the bank.
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at OTT ($4,700): Riding hot of late, Arvidsson has a goal, four points and 15 shots with an average of 15:50 of ice time per night through his past four games. His success has aligned with his assignment alongside Ryan Johansen and James Neal, and the trio has combined for 13.84 scoring chances for per 60 minutes and a 56.08 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five. The line is expected to remain atop the depth chart Thursday, which makes Arvidsson a solid value option, and he'll likely be scarcely owned.
Joe Colborne, COL at DAL ($3,700): After practicing with Nathan MacKinnon and Gabriel Landeskog on Wednesday, Colborne's upside jumps off the page. He offers cap relief in a favorable matchup, too. Dallas has allowed the fifth-most goals per game (3.35) this year and owns the 26th-ranked save percentage (.893).
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. NAS ($7,100): Nashville has struggled on the road this season (4.0 goals allowed per game), including a league-worst 66.7 penalty-kill percentage. Ottawa's 8.9 power-play percentage is eyeing positive regression, and Karlsson is the candidate to make the difference after posting 87 power-play points over the prior three seasons. Spending up for a reliable defenseman is a means of differentiating your lineup on a busy night, too.
Nikita Zaitsev, TOR vs. FLA ($3,600): The rookie presents a nice fantasy floor with upside and has averaged 2:10 of power-play time for the year. Zaitsev has 10 shots and 20 blocked shots over his past 10 games; interestingly, five of his seven points have come on home ice this year. It's also rare to find a player who has a significant role in Zaitsev's price range.
