This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It's the day before Halloween, and the NHL has eight games for our enjoyment. There's no need to be afraid of setting your daily fantasy lineup, though, based on the recommendations below…
GOALIE
Philadelphia Flyers, PHI vs. ARI ($16,200): It's hard not to like a team at home against an opponent that is literally winless. That alone is reason to choose the Flyers here. The Coyotes have allowed 4.36 goals per game and have only averaged 2.36 goals for. The Flyers, meanwhile, have given up a mere 28.3 shots on net per game, fewest in the NHL.
CENTER
Logan Couture, SAN vs. TOR ($14,500): The Maple Leafs gave up 32.6 shots on net per game last season, third most in the NHL. This year, that number is up to 32.9. Couture has eight goals in 10 games, and although his shooting percentage is unsustainably high, he's been a regular 20-goal scorer in his career. He's also been a power-play threat, and he has four points with the extra man.
Vladislav Namestnikov, TAM at FLA ($12,300): It seems like Namestnikov may finally be in line for a breakout season. It helps that he's averaged 18:02 of ice time, including 3:31 on the power play. The Panthers have allowed 3.50 goals per contest, and more notably a whopping 36.4 shots on net, which bodes well for Namestnikov in terms of building on his 11 points in 12 games.
WING
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. ARI ($14,800): Voracek is in the top five in scoring this season thanks to 16 points through 11 games. He's done that despite a 5.3 shooting percentage, which is a number that could easily improve here. As previously noted, the Coyotes have allowed a league-worst 4.36 goals per game.
James Neal, VGK at NYI ($13,400): Neal's shooting percentage will drop as the season goes on, but he's still a player that's never failed to notch at least 21 goals in a year. He's also put at least 202 shots on goal in each of his last four seasons. The Islanders have a team GAA of 3.09.
Anders Lee, NYI vs. VGK ($10,700): Lee has eight points in his last five games and is up against a Knights club that's allowed an average of 33.6 shots. Vegas is also down its top two goalies.
DEFENSEMEN
Ivan Provorov, PHI vs. ARI ($9,400): It's hard to resist the siren song of a matchup with the Coyotes. Being bad defensively is nothing new to Arizona. The Coyotes allowed 3.15 goals and 34.1 shots on net per game last year. Provorov showed potential as a rookie when he tallied 30 points, and this year he has five through 11 games. His minutes are also up across the board, including on the power play.
Dion Phaneuf, OTT vs. MON ($8,800): The veteran has averaged 14.18 fantasy points per game this year. That's due in part to his seven points, but also because he has 28 blocked shots. The Canadiens are off to a shockingly bad start, having allowed 3.82 goals per tilt. They will get better, but at this price, and with the way he's playing, Phaneuf is worth it.
