This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Friday's NHL schedule has a somewhat interesting quirk to it. There are four games on the docket, and in all four instances the team on the road is plying the second game of a back-to-back, while the home team will be rested. Teams playing for the second straight day, especially on the road, tend to play worse. That matters in fantasy, and it definitely comes into play in the selections below.
GOALIE
Brian Elliott, CGY vs. DAL ($8,600): Elliott missed Wednesday's game with an illness, so you'll want to monitor his status. However, assuming he plays, he's a rather enticing selection. After all, he's picked up a win in nine straight games, and he owns a 1.70 GAA and .943 save percentage over his last 11 outings. Dallas, meanwhile, has lost three in a row and is a miserable 9-20-4 on the road.
CENTER
Derek Stepan, NYR vs. FLA ($5,500): The Panthers have allowed 31.9 shots on goal per game, and it will be interesting to see what they do in net for this one. Do they dare to start Reto Berra? If they do, that makes Stepan an even better option on paper, as the Finn is the definition of a journeyman third-stringer. For Stepan's part, he's started 33.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zine, which is fifth among Rangers forwards. In his last 12 games, he's notched 40 shots on goal, including one tilt in which he threw 10 pucks on net. He's also tallied 14 power-play points. The Panthers have an impressive penalty kill, but if Berra is in net, that may not be the case.
Mikael Backlund, CGY vs. DAL ($5,300): Backlund has averaged 11.7 fantasy points per game, and he's tallied seven goals, eight assists and 50 shots on goal in his last 19 contests. He's also notched 15 power-play points in 70 games. Now he gets to face the Stars, who have the league's worst penalty kill. In fact, they're dead last in the NHL in defense (3.29 goals allowed per game), so one can argue that there's no better matchup in the league.
WING
Conor Sheary, PIT vs. NJD ($6,000): It's easy to overlook Sheary with so many talented players on the Penguins, but he's actually averaged more fantasy points per game (13.4) than even Phil Kessel (13.2). He's been particularly hot recently, notching eight points and 24 shots on goal in his last six contests. The Devils have allowed 2.87 goals and 31.2 shots on net per contest, and with Sheary skating on Sidney Crosby's line, you have to like his chances in this matchup.
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. BUF ($5,400): Having found twine eight times in his last nine games, Rakell now has 30 goals in 59 games on the season. His shooting percentage may be particularly high, but he's taken 40 shots on goal in his last 13 games, so it's not like those tallies have been fluky. The Sabres have allowed a league-high 34.2 shots on net per contest, and they also have the 29th-ranked penalty kill. On top of everything else, Rakell has 10 power-play points; he could add to that total here.
Michael Frolik, CGY vs. DAL ($5,200): It's easy to overlook Frolik even though he's Calgary's top-line right wing. He's averaged 10.5 fantasy points per game and tallied nine points in his last 10 outings. As mentioned, the Stars are the league's worst team in terms of goal prevention, in part because their netminders have a collective .892 save percentage. If Frolik can get a few pucks on net, it wouldn't be surprising to see one go in.
Kris Versteeg, CGY vs. DAL ($3,800): Versteeg has started 35.9 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, but he's primarily a power-play weapon. He's averaged 2:32 per game on the power play and notched 11 points with the extra man in 58 games. Now, of course, he gets to go up against the league's worst penalty kill. At this paltry price, it's definitely worth seeing if Versteeg can find more power-play success. If he does, he'll be a steal.
DEFENSE
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. BUF ($4,600): The power-play well has dried up a bit for Fowler, but he's averaged 3:11 per game with the extra man, and he does have 12 power-play points. A matchup with the Sabres and their 29th-ranked penalty kill could help get him back on track. If not, he's still a reliable source of shots and blocks, so he's got a solid fantasy floor with significant upside; it helps, too, that backup Anders Nilsson will probably be in net for Buffalo.
T.J. Brodie, CGY vs. DAL ($4,600): Brodie has started 32.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second among Calgary defenseman. He doesn't take a ton of shots, but he has 23 assists and nine power-play points. Brodie has also enjoyed a nice stretch recently wherein he's tallied six points over eight games. In addition to the Stars' defensive deficiencies, they've attempted 60.0 shots per 60 minutes, fifth in the NHL. Brodie has 101 blocked shots, so he could add a little fantasy value on that end of the ice as well.
