This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are 12 games in the NHL on Thursday, which means you won't have trouble finding avenues to differentiating your selections. It's a huge player pool to choose from. Here are a handful of options across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Al Montoya, MON at FLA ($7,800): While this is a difficult road back-to-back spot, Florida is also playing its second game in consecutive nights. Most importantly, though, Montreal blew a 3-1 lead in the third period Wednesday, so look for the Habs to help out their reeling backup goalie. Montoya hasn't won since Oct. 26 and owns an underwhelming .863 save percentage and 3.83 GAA through six appearances since. Just note that Montoya checks out as nothing more than a low-priced flier.
CENTER
Derek Stepan, NYR at ARI ($6,600): Arizona has allowed the second-most goals per game (3.12) and the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.69) this season, so the matchup checks out. Stepan has also been leading the offensive charge for the Rangers in December with five goals, 14 points and 36 shots through 13 games. This is an affordable salary for that sort of production.
Jason Spezza, DAL vs. COL ($6,400): Expected to skate with Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin in all situations, Spezza's fantasy value skyrockets. The 33-year-old veteran is also the cheapest of the three. This is a ripe matchup with Colorado allowing the most goals per game this season (3.26), with even more surrendered in December (3.77). Additionally, the Benn-Seguin-Spezza combo has posted an impressive 20.79 scoring chances per 60 minutes over the past three seasons.
WING
Artemi Panarin, CHI at NAS ($7,700): During his active eight-game point streak, Panarin has five goals, 14 points and 14 shots with an average of 20:45 of ice per night (3:31 on the power play). He's playing top offensive minutes and marking up the scoresheet nightly. Additionally, with so many softer matchups, Panarin's ownership could be sneakily low for a player with contest-winning upside.
Mikael Granlund, MIN vs. NYI ($5,400): The 24-year-old winger has found the scoresheet in eight of his past 10 games for three goals and 11 points. The Islanders allow the most scoring chances per 60 minutes (33.93) in the league, and Granlund offers a manageable salary. The Islanders are also allowing a hefty 3.17 goals per road game this season.
Anthony Duclair, ARI vs. NYR ($3,900): Now receiving top-line looks, Duclair's recent uptick in minutes makes him an attractive against-the-grain flier at a low cost. He's averaged 18:57 of ice over his past two games, including totaling five shots and a goal in his latest outing. He's always had loads of upside, so his emergence shouldn't be a total surprise despite his early struggles this year.
DEFENSE
Ryan McDonagh, NYR at ARI ($5,500): As mentioned, the Coyotes check out as an excellent matchup, and McDonagh has posted multi-point showings in consecutive games (one goal and five points). Of course, he's always skated big minutes with the Rangers, this year averaging 24:10 of ice per night with 3:19 on the power play. This salary isn't prohibitive enough to fade him, which might unfortunately also run his ownership up.
Dmitry Orlov, WAS vs. NJD ($4,000): With eight assists, 12 shots and 14 blocked shots through his past 10 games, Orlov's been turning his real-world value into fantasy results. He's still a bit of a high-risk, modest-reward asset, but the price is right and it's a solid matchup. New Jersey is allowing the fifth-most goals per game (3.0) in league.
