This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are eight games in the NHL on Thursday, with a number of lopsided matchups on paper. You'll risk having too many chalky options if you cherry-pick your selections from all the mismatches. Here are a handful of recommendations to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Jake Allen, STL vs. VAN ($8,200): Under head coach Mike Yeo, Allen has won four of his five starts with a .953 save percentage and a 1.40 GAA. The 26-year-old netminder also lands in a solid matchup with the Canucks playing the final leg of a six-game road trip. Vancouver's 8-18-3 with an average of just 2.21 goals per game away from Rogers Arena, too. Just expect Allen to be a popular selection Thursday.
CENTER
Jeff Carter, LOS vs. ARI ($7,900): The Coyotes are playing their third road game in four nights and have allowed a league-high 14.5 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes on the road. For his part, Carter boasts a third-ranked 1.77 goals and a ninth-ranked 3.1 points per 60 minutes this among all skaters with at least 750 minutes, and he also benefits from having a healthy Tyler Toffoli on his flank. Carter and Toffoli have combined for 3.02 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 over the past three years, after all.
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. COL ($6,000): Currently in an offensive groove with three goals, seven points and 19 shots while averaging 21:46 of ice time through his past eight games, O'Reilly is a solid option at a reasonable price Thursday. The Avalanche have allowed the most goals per game (3.39) and own the second-worst team save percentage (.895) in the league, and they've also lost the first three outings of their current five-game road trip.
WING
Mats Zuccarello, NYR vs. NYI ($6,600): Over the past four seasons, Zuccarello owns a 12th-ranked 2.05 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 4,000 minutes at five-on-five. Not only is it an impressive mark, but it highlights his high offensive floor and ability to generate chances at even strength. The Islanders allow the second-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.31) in the league, and Zuccarello's 4.1 shooting percentage through his past 24 games has positive regression ahead. He's still registered 21 points during that shooting slump, too.
Nino Niederreiter, MIN vs. DAL ($5,700): After posting four goals, six points and 12 shots during a four-game point streak, Niederreiter was held off the scoresheet against Anaheim on Tuesday. However, Dallas has allowed the second-most goals per game (3.21) and the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.15), so this is a great spot for Niederreiter to return to the points column.
Jake Guentzel, PIT vs. WPG ($4,200): The low-priced winger is heating up again of late with two goals, four points and 14 shots through his past six games, and he's projected to continue skating with Sidney Crosby. Winnipeg has also allowed 20 goals through its past five games and 3.23 per road contest for the year, so this is a friendly matchup for Guentzel.
DEFENSE
Kris Letang, PIT vs. WPG ($7,200): With Connor Hellebuyck expected to face Pittsburgh, this is a great spot to spend up for Letang. Hellebuyck owns a .896 save percentage and 3.20 GAA on the road this season, and Letang's 1.98 points per 60 minutes over the past two seasons are tied for the highest mark among all defensemen with at least 2,000 minutes. The veteran rearguard also has a goal, six points, 24 shots and eight blocked shots while averaging 25:07 of ice time through his past six games, and Letang is back to running the point on the No. 1 power-play unit.
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. COL ($5,100): A high-floor investment, Ristolainen has a goal, five points, 14 shots and 19 blocked shots while averaging 26:44 of ice time (2:01 with the man advantage) through his past seven games. It's excellent cross-category production, and as noted, he lands in a cushy home-ice matchup against Colorado. Quarterbacking the No. 1 ranked power play also boosts Ristolainen's value.
