This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There's a great football game Thursday night, but maybe you can turn your attention to the eight NHL games on the docket instead. Or, at the very least, you can make a daily fantasy hockey lineup and then watch football. Whatever your plan is, here are my recommendations for your lineup.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLM vs. LOS ($8,400): Yes, Bobrovsky has had a bad season. After having a .921 save percentage last year, he has an .898 mark this year. However, this is a goalie who has a Vezina to his name, so I have faith in him being able to turn it around. The Kings have only managed 2.19 goals per game. If Bob is ever going to look like the old Bob, it would be here.
CENTER
Eric Staal, MIN vs. FLA ($7,100): Staal isn't going to score 42 goals like he did last year, but he has 21 points in 29 games, including seven in his last nine contests. The Panthers have a 3.52 team GAA, which is bottom five in the NHL, and in each of his last three starts, Roberto Luongo has allowed four goals.
Lucas Wallmark, CAR at MON ($3,200): Wallmark's name may not be instantly recognizable for many, but he's an intriguing cheaper option. The 23-year-old is currently centering Carolina's second line, playing between veteran Justin Williams and second-overall pick Andrei Svechnikov. He only has 11 points on the season, but six in his last nine games, and he's put 66 shots on net in 29 contests. The Canadiens have a 2.95 GAA and a .895 save percentage, so the matchup is looking pretty favorable.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. TOR ($8,800): You don't need to be told about Kucherov's skills, but if you go cheap on a guy like Wallmark, it opens up money to spend on a star. The Russian is having another truly amazing season, as he has 45 points in 32 games, including 27 in his last 14. You may be wary of a matchup against the Maple Leafs, given their team GAA, but on the road they have a 3.06 GAA and have given up 34.1 shots on net per contest.
Kasperi Kapanen, TOR at TAM ($4,400): Kapanen has started 54.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, fourth most on the Leafs (and one of the guys ahead of him is William Nylander, who has played in only three games). Sami's son has played more than five minutes more per game this year, and it's paid off to the tune of 11 goals and 10 assists. Andrei Vasilevskiy could theoretically play in this game, but if he does it will be his first start in over a month. Otherwise, Louis Domingue (2.95 GAA, .905 save percentage) will be in net.
Kevin Fiala, NAS vs. VAN ($4m400): Due to injuries, Fiala is now skating on Nashville's top line. The Swiss forward has had bad puck luck (7.8 shooting percentage), but he has six points in his last nine contests. Vancouver has a 3.30 GAA, and on top of that its penalty kill is ranked 27th.
DEFENSE
Zach Werenski, CLM vs. LOS ($4,900): Werenski has 16 points on the season, including seven on the power play. His success with the extra man should continue, as he's averaged 2:57 of power-play time. That could come into play in this matchup, as the Kings have the 28th-ranked penalty kill.
Jared Spurgeon, MIN vs. FLA ($4,600):Mathew Dumba has the goals, and Ryan Suter is the big name with the big contract, but don't overlook Spurgeon. He has 17 points in his own right, including seven in his last eight games. The 29-year-old also has 22 shots on net in those contests. As for the Panthers, they've actually been particularly poor on the road. They have a 3.93 GAA in away games.
