This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's a jam-packed Thursday with 10 games in the NHL. Here are a number of players to consider across multiple prices ranges for your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT vs. COL ($8,500): Since returning from his lengthy personal absence from the team, Anderson has won four of six starts with a .947 save percentage and 1.84 GAA. It's an impressive run, and the Senators grab a cushy matchup Thursday against Colorado. The Avalanche have scored the fewest goals per game (1.98) and generated the fewest high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (8.61) in the league. Anderson is also sporting an affordable salary.
CENTER
John Tavares, NYI vs. DAL ($8,000): It's been an excellent recent run for Tavares, and he lands in a soft matchup Thursday against Dallas. He's notched 12 goals, 25 points and 84 shots while averaging 20:08 of ice time (3:13 with the man advantage) through his past 22 outings, and Dallas has allowed the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.08). The Stars have also surrendered the most goals per 60 minutes (9.67) while shorthanded.
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. NJD ($6,900): The veteran continues to be a model of consistency and is in the midst of his best offensive season since 2009-10 with 64 points -- 19 goals -- through 62 games. Backstrom's 3.41 points per 60 minutes rank fourth in the league, and there is nothing scary about the matchup against New Jersey. The Devils have allowed a healthy 11.92 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes on the road, which is seventh in the league.
WING
Mike Hoffman, OTT vs. COL ($6,500): For what it's worth, our lineup optimizer loves Hoffman from Thursday's player pool, and with good reason. While the 27-year-old winger has just a goal, four points and 18 shots through his past five games, his 2.19 points per 60 minutes at 5-on-5 over the past three seasons rank ninth among all skaters with at least 2,500 minutes. Not only does Colorado own the fourth-worst team save percentage in the league (.897) and allowed the most goals per game (3.31), the Avalanche also shipped out players at the trade deadline.
Sam Reinhart, BUF vs. ARI ($5,400): With Arizona allowing the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (13.35) and second-most goals per game (3.21) in the league, Reinhart checks out as a solid mid-priced value. He's two games removed from a solid four-goal, eight-point, 25-shot run through nine contests and is projected to skate with the No. 1 power-play unit. The Coyotes also own the 25th-ranked penalty kill and have allowed 8.29 goals per 60 minutes while shorthanded.
Kevin Labanc, SAN vs. VAN ($3,500): When chasing a low-priced flier it's always a bonus when they're playing in a top-six role and receiving power-play time. Labanc checks both boxes, and he has a respectable 1.79 points per 60 minutes for the campaign (seven goals and 19 points through 47 games). The kicker here is his offensive track record, though. Labanc registered 70 goals and 234 points over 133 regular-season games through his final two years in the OHL.
DEFENSE
Erik Karlsson, OTT vs. COL ($7,100): With a deep player pool, it's easier to find value at defense, which can leave the top options slight under-owned. As noted, this is a great matchup for Ottawa, and Karlsson has heated back up with two goals, 11 points, 29 shots and 24 blocked shots while averaging a hefty 25:26 of ice time (3:16 on the power play) over his past nine games. His 2.05 points per 60 minutes over the past two seasons and peripheral coverage make this salary quite reasonable, too.
Nick Leddy, NYI vs. DAL ($4,300): An excellent -- and sneaky -- stack option to help mitigate John Tavares' salary, Leddy is turning in another strong season. His 1.35 points per 60 minutes rank 15th among all defensemen with at least 3,000 minutes over the past two years, and he continues to quarterback the No. 1 power-play unit. With just a single assist through his past seven games, this is the perfect spot for Leddy to rebound and mark the scoresheet.
