This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
GOALIE
Cam Talbot, EDM at OTT ($8,800) – Talbot should get the nod again after facing just 20 shots in a win against New Jersey on Saturday, and faces a Senators team that's scored just three goals in its past three games. Erik Karlsson is also in a minor slump, which bodes well for the Oilers' chances of winning.
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLS vs. PHI ($9,500) – The winning streak had to end at some point; it was just unfortunate that it came in a 5-0 blowout to the Capitals. We'll chalk that game up as an anomaly since Bobrovsky has been so fantastic for such an extended period. The Flyers have a few offensive weapons, including Claude Giroux and Jakub Voracek, but the Blue Jackets should come out with some energy after blowing a 4-2 lead against the Rangers. Columbus isn't as good as their historic winning streak indicated, but they should be good enough to avoid losing three in a row.
CENTER
Sidney Crosby, PIT vs. TB ($9,400) – The league's best player is worth every dollar. He'd probably lead the league in scoring had he not missed any games to begin the season, and even though he had his five-game goal streak snapped against Montreal, still managed to fire five shots on goal. He's found another offensive gear this season, especially when it comes to scoring goals, and even early Norris Trophy candidate Victor Hedman may find it difficult to defend him. With home ice advantage, Mike Sullivan can also dictate which defenders Crosby will face.
Connor McDavid, EDM at OTT ($8,600) – McDavid or Evgeni Malkin ($8,800) will do, but it's hard to stray from these three names. Claude Giroux ($7,600) is in the mix, but is a tier below and has to face Sergei Bobrovsky. The NHL's current scoring leader has three assists in his past two games and is able to generate offense and create plays at a speed no one else in the league can.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. NSH ($8,800) – He has four points in his past two games and Nashville is still without P.K. Subban. Even though Pekka Rinne has been excellent in his past two starts, that shouldn't really impact Kane, who has 45 points in 51 career games against the Preds. The Predators just haven't been as good defensively as everyone thought they'd be, and in the post-Shea Weber era, have allowed 2.62 goals per game, 13th in the league and five spots behind Chicago.
Artemi Panarin, CHI vs. NSH ($7,800) – Sitting just one point behind Kane with 40 points on the season, Panarin is the obvious addendum for DFS players who are picking Kane, as they're the second highest scoring pair in the league behind Crosby and Malkin. However, the biggest difference is that Panarin and Kane often play together, giving them additional value.
Cam Atkinson, CLS vs. PHI ($7,200) – After playing just 15 minutes in a 5-0 loss to Washington, Atkinson got right back on track with a power-play goal against the Rangers. It just wouldn't be a Flyers game if there weren't some shoving matches, and the Blue Jackets will be daring them to take a penalty. The smart money's on the Flyers been far too ill-disciplined to stay out of the box, at which point Atkinson and the Jackets' No. 1 ranked power play should be able to dominate Philly's 18th-ranked penalty kill.
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. BOS ($6,700) – Tuukka Rask may have pitched a shutout in his previous start, but the notoriously streaky Skinner is also heating up with a point in back-to-back games. After going five straight games without a point, Skinner is finding his groove again, and his speed presents problems for a Boston defense that lacks depth. The Hurricanes are a very underrated team, sitting two games over .500 and just three points out of a playoff spot, and it's time people take notice.
DEFENSE
Victor Hedman, TB at PIT ($7,000) – He doesn't have the highest price tag, even though he's arguably been the league's best defenseman over the past two weeks. The Penguins will be a very tough test, and if the Lightning want to play at the quick pace their opponents favor, Hedman will be responsible for getting the puck up the ice quickly, either by skating it or passing it. Both methods present lots of opportunities for assists, especially if he can spring someone like Nikita Kucherov or Vladislav Namestnikov for scoring chances.
Torey Krug, BOS at CAR ($6,100) – After a frustratingly slow start, Krug is becoming a premier fantasy defenseman again with nine assists in his past eight games. The Bruins' power play still needs lots of work, but there's no question Krug drives a lot of their offense. He's logging lots of ice time and shooting more, and with Cam Ward in goal, throwing pucks at the net is always a good idea because at least a few of them are bound to get past him.
