This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The work week is over. You've kicked off your shoes, and you're ready to relax. Why not tune in and watch some NHL hockey? There are four games on the slate. Before you get too comfy, be sure to put together a daily fantasy lineup. If that tickles your fancy, here are some recommendations.
GOALIE
Curtis McElhinney, CAR at ANA ($7,700): Here's a matchup that seems primed to turn out great for McElhinney. His team has allowed a mere 27.7 shots on net per game. Meanwhile, the Ducks have only managed 26.7 shots on goal per contest, fewest in the NHL. It probably won't be a busy night for McElhinney, who has a .920 save percentage when pucks get through. Keep an eye out, though. McElhinney left Thursday's practice with an undisclosed issue.
CENTER
Brayden Schenn, STL at WPG ($5,800): Since returning from injury, Schenn has tallied three goals and three assists in 10 games. Last season, his first in St. Louis, he notched 28 goals and 70 points, including 19 on the power play. Connor Hellebuyck was great last year, but he's struggled this season. He has a 2.97 GAA and .904 save percentage.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, EDM vs. MIN ($5,600): Nugent-Hopkins is getting the most minutes of his career, especially on the power play where he's averaged 3:43 per game. On that front, he's notched 10 points with the extra man in 28 games out of a total of 25 points. The Wild are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back for this one. Devan Dubnyk will likely start but he's actually been struggling recently. Over his last eight starts he has a 3.61 GAA and .867 save percentage.
WING
Alexander Radulov, DAL vs. SAN ($6,400): Radulov has been hot since getting healthy, as he has 11 points in his last 11 contests. The Russian is still skating on a line with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, which certainly helps his ceiling. San Jose has a 3.03 GAA, mostly because both Martin Jones and Aaron Dell have struggled. The Sharks have an .897 save percentage as a team.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG vs. STL ($5,800): Ehlers has turned it around since a slow start, as he has eight goals and 13 points in his last 14 games. His power-play minutes are down, but he's still able to contribute offensively. The Blues have a 3.35 GAA, which is in the bottom 10 of the NHL. Jake Allen has been the better goalie of the two in St. Louis, but even he has a .899 save percentage.
Andrei Svechnikov, CAR at ANA ($3,800): Svechnikov has shown why he was the second-overall pick this year, as he has six goals and six assists in his rookie season. He's also put 73 shots on net, and 33 of those have come in his last 11 games. The Ducks have had a problem letting up shots all year. Anaheim has given up a whopping 35.4 shots on goal per game, second most in the NHL.
DEFENSE
Oscar Klefbom, EDM vs. MIN ($5,700): Klefbom has been red hot recently, as he has seven points and 21 shots on goal in his last six contests. On the season, he's averaged a hearty 3:51 per game on the power play, notching six points with the extra man. As previously mentioned, the Wild are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. Throw in Devan Dubnyk's struggles recently, and you have a recipe for success for the Swedish defenseman.
Dougie Hamilton, CAR at ANA ($5,400): As I just noted, the Ducks have allowed 35.4 shots on net per contest. If there is one player on the Hurricanes primed to take advantage of that, it's Hamilton. The defenseman leads his team in shots on goal with 100 in 27 games. The Ducks have been relying entirely on stellar goaltending to prop up their defensive numbers. One off night in net, and it could pay off big time for Hamilton and the Hurricanes.
