This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
February comes to an end with 12 NHL games Tuesday. That's a busy schedule, giving you plenty of options for your daily fantasy lineup. Here are some of the options which we find the most intriguing:
GOALIE
Roberto Luongo, FLA vs. CAR ($8,200): Luongo has had a February to forget, and sports a mediocre .913 save percentage on the season. However, there's still reason to like him in this matchup. The Hurricanes have only scored 2.48 goals per game while giving up 2.83 goals per contest. This month has gone even worse for the Canes, as they've managed a mere 1.67 goals per game while letting up 3.00. They are also a dismal 7-16-6 on the road. At this price, it's worth giving Luongo a shot with such a favorable matchup.
CENTER
Patrice Bergeron, BOS vs. ARI ($7,100): Remember when Bergeron was struggling to score? Probably not, considering he's notched 17 points and 49 shots on goal in his last 12 games. And despite his prowess on the defensive end, Bergeron starts a robust 35.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. The Coyotes have allowed 3.20 goals per game, plus a whopping 33.7 shots on net per contest, so Bergeron's scorching play is liable to continue.
Nathan MacKinnon, COL at PHI ($5,900): MacKinnon has been a rare bright spot for Colorado, averaging 12.2 fantasy points per game. He's done that despite a woeful 6.3 shooting percentage, which is the worst of his career by a full percentage point. That's certainly hurt his fantasy numbers, because he's put 192 shots on goal in 60 games. The Flyers have allowed 3.00 goals per game, and their goalies have a .888 save percentage during February. Maybe that will help MacKinnon with his puck luck.
WING
Phil Kessel, PIT at DAL ($7,200): This matchup is tailor-made for Kessel. The Stars have allowed 3.23 goals per game, and they've allowed more goals per game than any team in February (3.73). Additionally, Dallas has the worst penalty kill in the league; that's where Kessel can really take advantage of this matchup. He's played 3:42 per game with the extra man, scoring a whopping 26 power-play points. Kessel would be worth the money at any price, but the fact that several players cost more money Tuesday makes him even more enticing.
Wayne Simmonds, PHI vs. COL ($6,600): All in all, no team has given up more goals per game than the Avalanche, allowing 3.30 goals per contest. Simmonds has scored 25 goals this season, and he's started 37.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, fourth-most on the Flyers. Spending that much time in Colorado's zone should benefit the power forward, given that the Avalanche have allowed 32.4 shots on net per game. Colorado also has the 24th-ranked penalty kill, and Simmonds has tallied 20 power-play points.
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS at BUF ($6,300): Arvidsson finds himself on Nashville's top line, which he has earned thanks to his breakout season. One thing he's done particularly well is put pucks on net, with 188 in 60 games. Meanwhile, Buffalo has allowed 34.0 shots on net per contest, the most in the NHL. On top of this, Arvidsson has a current four-game point streak, further legitimizing his value.
Daniel Sedin, VAN vs. DET ($5,800): The Red Wings will be returning from their bye week, and while the sample size is somewhat limited, teams in their first game after their bye have tended to struggle this season. That certainly seems like something that could impact Detroit in this game, considering they've allowed 2.97 goals per game. The bye doesn't seem to have Jimmy Howard any closer to returning, so they can't even rely on that. Sedin has started the highest percentage of his shifts in the offensive zone of any Canuck (38.8), and the veteran Swede has seven points and 23 shots on goal in his last eight games.
DEFENSEMEN
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. MON ($5,300): The Canadiens have saved Carey Price for this game after starting Al Montoya on Monday. Price only has a .912 save percentage in his last 11 starts, which isn't his usual self. Montreal also only has the 19th-ranked penalty kill, and Werenski has 19 power-play points. He's also put 148 shots on goal in 60 games, and 19 in his last six. Additionally, the Canadiens have averaged 59.8 shot attempts per 60 minutes, which is fifth-most in the NHL. Werenski has 68 blocks in 60 games and should have the chance to get in front of a few pucks in this one.
Justin Schultz, PIT at DAL ($4,800): Schultz didn't score a point in his return from a concussion, but he played 24:08 – and 6:23 on the power play – so it's not like they eased him back into the lineup. He's enjoying a breakout season, including 13 points with the extra man. As previously noted, the Stars have the league's worst penalty kill, and they've allowed the second-most goals per game in the league, making this a tremendous matchup for Schultz.
