This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Even with Saturday's two 1 p.m. EST starts not included, there are seven games on the slate for daily fantasy hockey purposes. That offers plenty of options when it comes to picking lineups. Here are some players I recommend at least thinking about long and hard.
GOALIE
Los Angeles Kings, LOS vs. ANA ($16,500):Jonathan Quick has been outstanding this year, as he has a 2.36 GAA and a .926 save percentage. Anaheim, meanwhile, averages only 2.67 goals per game, and the Ducks have managed a mere 29.5 shots per game. That's tied for second fewest in the NHL. The Kings' netminder likely won't be too bothered in this one.
CENTER
Claude Giroux, PHI at NJD ($13,300): Giroux has racked up the points this year, as he's tallied 52 points in 42 games. Sure, he has a 16.5 shooting percentage, but that has nothing to do with his 38 assists. In fact, in his last nine games he has 15 helpers. The Devils have a 2.95 GAA but have also allowed 33.0 shots per game.
Erik Haula, VGK vs. EDM ($11,700): The Oilers are on the second night of a back-to-back, which means the newly acquired Al Montoya may be pressed into action in net. That certainly won't help their penalty kill, which is already dead last in the NHL. Haula averages 2:39 per game with the extra man, and he's tallied eight power-play points in 37 games. Additionally, since the start of December Haula has 15 points in 17 games.
WING
Alexander Radulov, DAL vs. COL ($11,800): Radulov has been on fire recently, notching three points in each of his last two games. He's also started 58.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone (second most on the Stars) and averaged 3:07 per game on the power play. The Avalanche have a 3.00 GAA and have allowed 32.3 shots per game. Also, with Semyon Varlamov out, Colorado is missing its starting goalie.
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. EDM ($11,000): Smith has picked up his play recently, and in three of his last six games he's had multi-point outings. He also has seven power-play points, and as previously noted the Oilers have the league's worst penalty kill. On top of that, Edmonton had a 3.23 GAA entering Friday.
Timo Meier, SAN vs. ARI ($8,600): Meier is on San Jose's top line on the depth chart, and he's put 100 shots on net in 39 games. His shooting has picked up recently, as he has 27 shots (and four goals) in his last eight games. Putting pucks on net could bode well in this extremely favorable matchup. The Coyotes will be on the second night of a back-to-back, and on zero days of rest Arizona has a league-worst 4.43 team GAA.
DEFENSE
Jared Spurgeon, MIN vs. WPG ($11,200): There are questions about the goalie situation for the Jets. Winnipeg is on the second night of a back-to-back, and Connor Hellebuyck started Friday. With Steve Mason banged up, Michael Hutchinson could be in net for this one. That would be beneficial for Spurgeon, who has averaged 13.41 fantasy points per game this year.
Sami Vatanen, NJD vs. PHI ($8,000): Vatanen has finally started to find his footing with the Devils. In his last six games he has five points, and in his last nine games he's tallied 27 shots on net. The Finn has also averaged 2:11 per game on the power play, which may be the most-pertinent thing here. The Flyers have the 28th-ranked penalty kill.
