This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are 10 games in the NHL on Thursday, which provides a deep enough player pool to easily differentiate your selections. Here are a handful of options across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Peter Budaj, LOS vs. CAR ($8,200): The Hurricanes are on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and blew a two-goal lead in the third period against Anaheim on Wednesday. This is a great spot for the Kings, and Budaj is 9-2-1 at the Staples Center. While this is more of a contrarian lean, Los Angeles is allowing the second-fewest scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five, too.
CENTER
Tomas Plekanec, MON vs. NJD ($5,300): The veteran collected a goal and an assist in Montreal's first game without Alex Galchenyuk (knee), and now Plekanec is the undisputed No. 1 center. He should see an uptick in offensive minutes while skating between Max Pacioretty and Alexander Radulov on Thursday.
Sam Bennett, CGY at ARI ($4,600): With the Coyotes allowing the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.04) in the league, Bennett is a solid value option Thursday. He's expected to skate with Johnny Gaudreau at even strength, which is a nice fantasy boon. Over the past two years, the duo has combined for 3.17 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five, after all.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. VAN ($7,800): No player with at least 400 minutes played this season has averaged more points per 60 minutes than Kucherov's 3.58. He's also averaging 2.8 shots and 3:15 of power-play time per game. Vancouver is allowing the fifth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (10.94), too.
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. EDM ($7,100): Reunited with long-time linemate Claude Giroux, Voracek has two goals, seven points and 21 shots over his past six games. Additionally, the two star scorers have combined for a solid 2.79 goals per 60 minutes over the past five years. They have a soft matchup against the Oilers, who have allowed the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.34).
Marian Gaborik, LOS vs. CAR ($5,000): Gaborik and Anze Kopitar have combined for a solid 2.77 goals per 60 minutes and an impressive 60.9 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five over the past four years, and now they're settling back into form together atop the depth chart. Gaborik is still looking for his first goal of the campaign after registering 14 shots on net over the past three games, but this is a good spot to capitalize. Carolina's team save percentage on the road (.900) at five-on-five ranks 29th in the league, and the Hurricanes are playing their second away game in two nights.
DEFENSE
Drew Doughty, LOS vs. CAR ($5,800): Finally rounding into form after a disappointing start, Doughty has seven points, 16 shots and 11 blocked shots while averaging 26:43 of ice time (3:21 with the man advantage) over his past seven games. As previously mentioned, the 'Canes present a friendly opponent, having just allowed five goals Wednesday night.
Anton Stralman, TAM vs. VAN ($4,100): Now three games removed from a two-week absence due to an upper-body injury, Stralman could fly under the radar in a juicy home matchup against the Canucks. The veteran defenseman logged 3:20 of power-play time in his latest outing, and he provides a nice fantasy floor because of his cross-category contributions.
