This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's the first weekend of 2017, and the NHL is taking us there with six games Friday. Quite a few of the league's most defensively generous teams are in action, which could mean some pretty high-scoring affairs. If you find the right collection of players, you could really rack up the fantasy points on FanDuel.
GOALIE
Thomas Greiss, NYI at COL ($8,400): Yes, the Islanders have given up a lot of goals this season, but much of that falls on the shoulders of the recently waived Jaroslav Halak. For his part, Greiss has a respectable 2.45 GAA and an impressive .923 save percentage. Meanwhile, the Avalanche are dead last in goals scored per game. If you're worried about the Islanders being on the road, it may soothe you to know that Colorado is 4-13-1 at home this season.
CENTER
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. ARI ($6,000): Yes, Rakell's shooting percentage is destined to drop. However, that doesn't mean he won't get plenty of opportunities against the Coyotes. Arizona is giving up a league-worst 34.1 shots on goal per game, resulting in 3.24 goals per game (29th in the league), so this doesn't seem like the kind of matchup that's going to give Rakell a harsh dose of reality. He's also priced like a guy for whom regression is expected, so it's not like you're paying through the nose for his hot start.
Mikael Backlund, CGY at VAN ($5,800): Backlund has been on fire recently, living up to those flames on his jersey. He's got a five-game point streak going, with a whopping nine points in that span. That includes a three-point game against these very same Canucks, who are allowing 2.88 goals per game. Backlund also has eight power-play points and is facing Vancouver's 21st-ranked penalty kill, so he's positioned nicely to keep the good times rolling.
WING
Mitch Marner, TOR at NJD ($6,300): Marner has been firing plenty of shots on net recently, with 22 in his last five games. Meanwhile, the Devils give up 31.5 shots per contest, so they don't seem likely to be the ones who slow Marner down. The rookie has 29 points, seven of those coming on the power play, in 37 games, so he's been an instantly reliable fantasy option.
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. ARI ($6,000): We've already established how many shots and goals the Coyotes are giving up, making this matchup a tasty one. It helps that Silfverberg is playing career-high minutes, which he's turned into plenty of production. He's scored 11 goals on 111 shots, contributing to an impressive average of 11.5 fantasy points per game. There's both floor and ceiling here.
Josh Bailey, NYI at COL ($4,900): Bailey is having a fine fantasy season despite the fact he has a career-worst 7.1 shooting percentage. Fortunately, he's made up for the bad puck luck with 19 assists, including six on the power play. The Avalanche are giving up a league-worst 3.37 goals per game, so perhaps Bailey's luck will start to turn around Friday.
Kris Versteeg, CGY at VAN ($4,200): Versteeg has played well when healthy this season, and he's been injury-free lately, resulting in seven points over his last nine games. He also has seven power-play points as a result of playing 2:21 per game with the extra man. As previously mentioned, the Canucks are 21st on the penalty kill, so Versteeg should see solid opportunities to build on his power-play success. At this low price, the veteran could return plenty of value.
DEFENSEMEN
Tyson Barrie, COL vs. NYI ($5,300): While replacing Jaroslav Halak with Thomas Greiss might help the Islanders' goal prevention, it won't have any impact on the fact that they're allowing 33.3 shots on goal per game. Barrie has put 93 shots on net in 38 contests, and he's added 17 assists. Additionally, Barrie is playing 3:20 a game with the extra man, and he has the fortune of drawing the Islanders' 24th-ranked penalty kill.
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. ARI ($5,300): Fowler is the third Duck recommended here, and with good cause – he's put 87 shots on goal this year and notched 11 power-play points while averaging 3:22 with the extra man. Arizona's tendency for allowing tons of shots and issues while shorthanded have already been mentioned, and Fowler is particularly adept at taking advantage of questionable penalty-killing units.
