This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The NHL has an 11-game slate Thursday, and the hugeness of the player pool means it shouldn't be difficult to differentiate your tournament selections. Here are a handful of recommendations to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Steve Mason, PHI vs. NYI ($7,700): After serving as the backup for three consecutive games, Mason should return to the crease to face the Islanders on Thursday. Philadelphia has been shut out over its past two games, and Mason will be looking to steal the crease back with a strong outing. Sure, there's a lot of narrative here, and Mason hasn't had a strong season (.900 save percentage and 2.90 GAA). Still, his .921 save percentage and 2.43 GAA through his first three seasons with the Flyers highlight his capabilities, and he should be scarcely owned Thursday.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. DET ($6,800): You'd love to see a higher shot volume -- just 1.81 per game -- from Backstrom, but his playmaking keeps his floor high. After all, the star pivot has six goals and 24 points through his past 17 games. Detroit has also allowed the fifth-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.19) on the road and has surrendered 3.11 goals per game over its past nine outings.
Paul Stastny, STL at TOR ($5,800): There's a lot to like about Stastny at this price. He's centering Alexander Steen and Vladimir Tarasenko, and the 31-year-old pivot has notched eight goals, 16 points and 31 shots through his past 15 games. Toronto has surrendered 23 goals through five games since the All-Star break and allowed the fifth-most scoring chances per 60 minutes (31.87) in the league.
WING
Max Pacioretty, MON at ARI ($7,500): The Coyotes have surrendered the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.95) in the league, and Pacioretty has the third-most goals (131) in the league over the past four years. His 1.44 goals per 60 minutes rank second among all skaters with at least 5,000 minutes during that span, too. With consecutive pointless outings, this also sets up as a prime rebound spot for the elite scorer, and his price is extremely reasonable.
Brandon Saad, CLM vs. VAN ($6,100): Among all skaters with at least 700 five-on-five minutes this season, Saad's rate of 2.57 points per 60 minutes paces the league. He's cooled off significantly, though. With just three goals and five points over his past 16 games, the 24-year-old winger is in a ripe spot for some positive offensive regression, and the Canucks are the perfect matchup. Vancouver is 6-16-3 on the road this season while allowing the seventh-most goals (3.07) and high-danger scoring chances (11.92) per 60 minutes.
Jake Guentzel, PIT at COL ($3,900): Colorado mustered up everything it had to top Montreal on Tuesday, which sets the Avalanche up for a huge letdown against the defending champs. Colorado has allowed the most goals per game in the league (3.34), and Guentzel is locked into a top-six role with Pittsburgh and showing nice offensive upside. His rate of 2.76 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five is solid production for a player in his price range.
DEFENSE
Kris Letang, PIT at COL ($7,100): Sticking with the cushy matchup against Colorado, Letang is a high-floor, high-ceiling grab. He's scored a goal and added three assists with 11 shots on net and four blocked shots during his active three-game point streak, and he boasts an elite 2.06 points per 60 minutes over the past two seasons.
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. NYI ($4,200): After returning to the No. 1 power-play unit during Wednesday's practice, Gostisbehere should draw back into the lineup in the aftermath of Philadelphia's two consecutive scoreless performances without him. After all, even with his sophomore struggles, the second-year defenseman owns a fourth-ranked 1.82 points per 60 minutes among all defensemen with at least 1,000 minutes played the past two seasons. He's also checking in at an extreme discount.
