This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Next weekend, the NHL will be celebrating its All-Star festivities. This weekend, though, it's business as usual, including six games Friday. Here are some of the players that stick out as particularly intriguing options, all things considered.
GOALIE
Robin Lehner, BUF vs. DET ($7,800): With Anders Nilsson under the weather, it seems rather likely that Lehner will get the start against the Wings. Buffalo's top netminder is having another solid season, as he owns a 2.54 GAA and a .920 save percentage. Neither of these teams is good, but Detroit ranks 23rd in goals scored and 30th in power-play percentage. Since the Sabres are at home, it gives their chance of winning a little boost, and Lehner comes pretty cheap. In this likely low-scoring matchup, that makes him worth rolling the dice on.
CENTER
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. DET ($6,200): Since returning from an injury, O'Reilly has seven points in his last seven games, and he's averaging 3:20 per game with the extra man in that time. Meanwhile, the Red Wings are averaging 2.93 goals allowed per game, and their penalty kill ranks 17th. That's overall, mind you. In January, they rank 21st due in part to Jimmy Howard's injury. O'Reilly has 13 power-play points, so he can take advantage of a poor penalty kill.
Victor Rask, CAR vs. PIT ($5,600): The Penguins are allowing 32.2 shots on goal per contest, and they rank 25th on the penalty kill. They're also now without Kris Letang once again, which won't help. Rask has taken exactly three shots on goal in his last eight games, and he has six points in those outings. Overall, he's averaging 11.6 fantasy points per game -- a fine average at this price, especially in this matchup.
WING
David Pastrnak, BOS vs. CHI ($6,700): Yes, Pastrnak has failed to score a goal in 15 straight games, but he's taken 53 shots in that time, so it's not like he hasn't been involved. Additionally, he has seven assists in those games. After he carried an unsustainably high shooting percentage for most of the season, that stat's now dropped lower than it was last season. Now that Pastrnak's price has dropped, he could be a good value play because his shots will eventually start finding the back of the net again.
Anthony Mantha, DET at BUF ($5,800): The Sabres have a nice matchup against the Wings, but Detroit won't exactly be facing a juggernaut. Buffalo allows 32.9 shots on goal per game and has the worst penalty kill in the league. For his part, Mantha has 11 goals in 30 games, and he's playing 2:29 per game on the power play. The rookie could end up leading the Wings in points this season, and this appears to be a nice price for him in this matchup.
Jonathan Marchessault, FLA at VAN ($5,500): By this point, we've seen Marchessault play enough games to know he's legit. He's averaging 11.4 fantasy points per game thanks in no small part to skating career-high minutes (18:12) and power-play minutes (2:55). The Canucks, meanwhile, are among the most generous defenses in terms of shots allowed per contest and penalty-kill percentage.
Frank Vatrano, BOS vs. CHI ($4,600): In 14 games since returning from a season-opening foot injury, Vatrano has taken on a notable role in Boston's offense. He's notched 41 shots in that time and already tallied three power-play points. Chicago's giving up an average of 31.1 shots on goal per contest, and the 'Hawks also rank 28th on the penalty kill. Vatrano is still quite cheap, but if he keeps playing like he has been, he'll be a steal at this price.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. DET ($5,700): Ristolainen plans a ton of minutes (26:43), including on the power play (3:35). In all that time with the extra man, he's tallied 16 power-play points. On top of that, Ristolainen has 96 blocked shots. Detroit may not take a ton of shots, but Ristolainen blocks so many that he should still manage to get in front of a couple. When you see such a heavy workload, especially against a struggling team like Detroit, it isn't hard to have a big fantasy day.
Jaccob Slavin, CAR vs. DET ($4,000): Slavin is averaging 8.6 fantasy points per game, and he comes at a bottom-dollar price. The 22-year-old is playing 23:18 a night and has tallied 15 assists in 44 games -- not huge production, but enough to give him some appeal. Meanwhile, the Penguins have allowed 32.2 shots on goal per tilt, but they also lead the league in shots per game witgh 34.5. Slavin has blocked 91 shots, and he should have plenty of opportunities to do more of that against Pittsburgh.
