This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
The key matchup Thursday will be the Avalanche hosting the Wild (9 p.m. EDT). Both teams are on winning streaks and attempting to catch the Golden Knights. The season series is 2-1-1 for the Avs but it has been a seesaw affair; the Avs won the first game 5-1 on Jan. 30 but lost 6-2 in their most recent meeting on Feb. 24. The Avs have dominated possession during 5v5 play in all four meetings this season, according to Natural Stat Trick, with a 60.24 CF%.
GOALIES
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB vs. CHI ($8,700): Vasilevskiy has won nine straight games but each progressive win feels less and less convincing; he's allowed three goals in each of his past four games and in three of those games posted a save percentage below .900. The upside to this matchup has been Chicago's poor play, having lost three of their four games on their current six-game road trip. Don't expect sparking numbers from Vasilevskiy, but a win is likely.
Semyon Varlamov, NYI vs. PHI ($8,600): The Flyers were embarrassed Wednesday and it's unlikely they'll allow nine goals again. However, the Isles are a much tougher test; though the Flyers lead the season series, both of their wins came via overtime and in both games they were outshot by the Isles. The Isles' luck should change while Philly's goaltending remains a problem.
Alex Nedeljkovic, CAR vs. CBJ ($8,100): Nedeljkovic has won four straight games and could make it five with the Blue Jackets having won just once in their past five games. With Petr Mrazek's return looming, this may be Nedeljkovic's last chance to show he deserves to play. The Hurricanes are averaging five goals scored against the Jackets this season, providing ample goal support.
Sergei Bobrovsky, FLA vs. NSH ($8,000): Bob is playing his stretch of hockey in recent memory and will put his six-game winning streak on the line against the lowly Predators, who have lost six of their past eight. Since the overtime loss in their first meeting, the Panthers have won three straight against the Preds and they carry some momentum into this matchup, having won the possession battle in their past four games – all wins – during 5-on-5 play.
Tristan Jarry, PIT at NJ ($7,900): The Penguins aren't getting any love but that's good for DFS managers. Jarry has won four straight with just eight goals allowed, and the Devils just barely beat the Sabres. This is their first meeting of the season and Jarry's second time facing the Devils. Last time Jarry faced the Devils, he allowed just one goal on 37 shots. Jarry's a strong value play in this matchup.
Jaroslav Halak, BOS at BUF ($7,700): Dan Vladar may get the start based on his brilliant NHL debut; either way, the Bruins should be able to handle the Sabres, who just fired their head coach. Halak is 12-3-0 with a .922 Sv% in his career against the Sabres.
VALUE PLAYS
Jason Robertson, DAL at DET ($3,800): It's been a very good month for Robertson, who notched two assists against the Lightning last game, giving him 11 on the season. The Red Wings have done a much better job of preventing goals lately but still rank among the league's worst with 3.30 GA/GP.
Kieffer Bellows, NYI vs. PHI ($3,600): He managed just one shot against the Capitals on Tuesday but still managed to stick on the top line. That's a good sign and he gets a good matchup against a team that has one of the league's most (surprisingly) atrocious tandems that's coming off a nine-goal loss.
Trevor Zegras, ANH vs. ARI ($3,100): His minutes continue to trend up and finished with an apple and three shots against the Avs on Tuesday. He's playing on a line with Troy Terry, who can be a good finisher, and Adam Henrique, who seems rejuvenated since his benching. Zegras also plays PP1 for some added value.
LINE STACKS
Penguins at Devils
Sidney Crosby (C - $8,000), Jake Guentzel (W - $7,300), Bryan Rust (W - $5,600)
If Evgeni Malkin is unavailable, look for this line to log a ton of minutes. The Pens aren't very deep at center, which means they'll have to lean on Crosby.
Bruins at Sabres
Patrice Bergeron (C - $7,400), David Pastrnak (W - $8,400), Brad Marchand (W - $7,500)
This line combined for 16 points in three games against the Sabres last season. This will be their first meeting this season but since then the Sabres have somehow gotten worse.
Stars at Red Wings
Joe Pavelski (C - $7,300), Jamie Benn (W - $6,600), Alexander Radulov (W - $5,700)
Radulov has provided a goal and 10 shots in two games since his return and this is the Stars' most reliable line on offense. Pavelski's ridiculous pace on special teams has not slowed down and it's a good value stack based on their matchup.
DEFENSEMEN
Dougie Hamilton, CAR vs. CBJ ($6,400): The matchup favors the Canes, not to mention Hamilton's nine-game point streak, including an assist and 11 (!) shots against Detroit last game. Also, the Jackets PK ranks 28th in the league.
Samuel Girard, COL vs. MIN ($5,200): As long as Cale Makar is injured, both Girard and Devon Toews ($4,900) are worth selecting. They run separate power play units but both have been very productive lately, with Girard scoring a goal and an assist and Toews collecting three assists in their last game.
Zach Werenski, CBJ at CAR ($5,000): Werenski's on a four-game point streak and, generally speaking, presents a bit more offensive upside than Seth Jones. Werenski's big role and hot hand should make him an attractive option.
Jakob Chychrun, ARI at ANH ($4,300): Chychrun's had a lot of success against the Ducks this season, scoring four points in four games, and even when he doesn't score, he's generally very good at getting shots on net. He had 13 of them in three games against the Wild, who aren't exactly easy to play against.
