This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are 10 games in the NHL on Thursday, which opens up plenty of ways to differentiate your selections for tournaments. Here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Thomas Greiss, NYI vs. VAN ($8,200): The Canucks have generated just 9.1 high-danger scoring chances and scored only 1.94 goals per 60 minutes through their past 25 games, so this is a solid matchup for Greiss and the Islanders. While the 31-year-old netminder has shown to be extremely inconsistent, his ceiling is high. Griess has allowed one goal or fewer in four of his past seven outings.
CENTER
John Tavares, NYI vs. VAN ($8,100): Absolutely scorching dating back to mid-January, Tavares has 13 goals, 29 points and 100 shots through 26 games, and he's up to an eighth-ranked 2.56 points per 60 minutes among all skaters with 1,250 minutes this year. Vancouver isn't a daunting matchup with Ryan Miller sporting an unintimidating .909 save percentage and 3.03 GAA through his past 12 outings.
Derek Stepan, NYR at CAR ($5,600): It's been 22 games and 51 shots since Stepan found the back of the net, and he has just eight assists during the stretch. The lack of offense comes despite a top-line gig and an average of 18:59 of ice time per outing with 2:35 on the power play. Carolina owns the third-worst team save percentage (.898) in the league, and this is a manageable salary for the pivot. Positive offensive regression is ahead for Stepan.
WING
Patrick Kane, CHI vs. ANA ($8,600): With eight multi-point showings for 14 goals, 21 points and 56 shots through his past 13 games, Kane is in elite form. He's logging huge minutes (21:30 with 3:27 on the power play) and lands in a cushy matchup against Anaheim on Thursday. The Ducks are without No. 1 goalie John Gibson (lower body), and Jonathan Bernier owns a mediocre 2.99 GAA and .900 save percentage through his past six outings.
Tanner Pearson, LOS vs. NAS ($5,800): The Predators have allowed the most goals per 60 minutes (3.8) in the league over their past 13 games, and Pearson has found an offensive groove alongside long-time linemates Jeff Carter and Tyler Toffoli. Pearson has seven goals, 14 points and 32 shots through his past 11 outings, and "That 70s Line" has combined for 3.58 goals per 60 minutes over the past three seasons.
Micheal Ferland, CGY vs. MON ($3,800): Skating with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau at even strength of late, Ferland has flourished and is up to five goals on 15 shots through his past seven games. His rambunctious game and sneaky shooting arsenal are a nice fit with the other two youngsters, and with a potentially daunting matchup, Ferland should be scarcely owned while offering upside at this salary.
DEFENSE
Duncan Keith, CHI vs. ANA ($5,700): The veteran rearguard continues to move the offensive needle with three goals, 14 points, 42 shots and 26 blocked shots through his past 16 games. Additionally, Keith's averaged 25:58 of ice time during that span with 2:37 on the power play. His current production and track record make him a high-floor, high-upside option, and his salary is reasonable.
Alex Goligoski, ARI vs. OTT ($4,800): With Ottawa on the wrong end of back-to-back road games, this is a sneaky spot for Goligoski. The veteran has found the scoresheet in seven of his past 10 outings for two goals, eight points, 13 shots and 22 blocked shots while averaging 22:38 of ice time per game (1:55 on the power play). At this salary, Goligoski's fantasy floor is attractive, and there's upside as well, considering his current form.
