This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are eight games in the NHL on Thursday. It's worth keeping in mind that there are plenty of home favorites from the Western Conference in cushy matchups against teams from the Eastern Conference. Here are a handful of players to consider across multiple price points while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Petr Budaj, LOS vs. DET ($8,400): The veteran has allowed two or fewer goals in eight straight outings (compiling a .956 save percentage and 1.24 GAA in that span), and the Red Wings enter on the wrong end of back-to-back road games after being shut out by Anaheim on Wednesday. Detroit could amp it up offensively, but the California swing has traditionally been tough for Eastern Conference teams. Los Angeles also owns a solid 54.0 Corsi For percentage at five-on-five this season, whereas Detroit ranks 22nd in that metric (48.4).
CENTER
Tyler Johnson, TAM vs. NAS ($5,700): Centering Nikita Kucherov has been a dream for the 28-year-old pivot; since the Russian winger returned from a lower-body injury, Johnson has two goals and two assists while averaging 20:09 of ice per night (3:53 with the man advantage). Additionally, over the past three seasons, Johnson and Kucherov have combined for a rock-solid 3.62 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five.
Paul Stastny, STL vs. CAR ($5,100): The 31-year-old pivot is enduring the worst offensive season of his career, including just three assists and 16 shots through his past 11 games. However, this has the makings of a slump-busting matchup. Stastny is skating on a scoring line with Alexander Steen and David Perron, while Carolina has won just five away games all season and allows a healthy 2.86 goals per road game.
WING
Artemi Panarin, CHI vs. BUF ($7,900): The sophomore has found the scoresheet in 10 of his past 11 games; he has five goals, 16 points and 19 shots during that stretch. Back with Artem Anisimov and Patrick Kane at even strength, look for Panarin to click with his familiar (and highly talented) linemates against Buffalo on Thursday. After all, that trio has combined for 2.95 goals per 60 minutes at five-on-five over the past two seasons.
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. NAS ($7,900): Since returning from a lower-body injury four games ago, Kucherov has two goals, eight points and 18 shots on net. While it's an unsustainable pace over the long haul, Kucherov also owns a sixth-ranked 3.15 points per 60 minutes over the past three years among all skaters with at least 3,000 minutes. He's a legit offensive superstar.
Kevin Labanc, SAN vs. MIN ($4,000): Flanking Logan Couture on the No. 2 line, Labanc has posted three goals, five points and 12 shots through his latest five games. He's also averaged 2:06 of power-play time during that stretch. The rookie's 1.23 goals and 1.85 points per 60 minutes are excellent marks, and he was an elite scorer in the CHL the past two years with 70 goals and 234 points through 143 games. He checks out as an upside source of cap relief.
DEFENSE
Kevin Shattenkirk, STL vs. CAR ($6,400): With only a single point through his past five games, Shattenkirk is a bounce-back candidate against Carolina. He owns the fifth-highest points per 60 minutes (1.78) among all defensemen with at least 5,000 minutes over the past four years, and the Hurricanes' .926 team save percentage while shorthanded is eyeing negative regression.
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. DET ($4,300): It's been a disappointing season for Muzzin, who's coming off consecutive 40-point campaigns. He's still providing solid peripheral statistics with 74 shots and 55 blocked shots, but his three goals and nine points hardly move the needle. This is a nice spot for a slump-busting game, though. Detroit enters on the wrong end of back-to-back road tilts, and Muzzin has made his way back to the No. 1 power-play unit. He also has an accommodating salary.
