SLATE PREVIEW
There are four games on the NHL slate Friday. Detroit hosts Tampa Bay, Minnesota travels to Washington, Vancouver is in Chicago and Utah is home to San Jose. Below, you'll find suggested options for crafting an effective lineup.
GOALIES
Logan Thompson, WSH vs. MIN ($7,800): Thompson is off to another solid start posting a 2-1-0 record with a 2.00 GAA and a .921 save percentage. He notched 31 wins in 43 appearances last season. Thompson will be facing a Wild team that's scored 15 goals through four games.
Andrei Vasilevskiy, TB at DET ($8,200): Vasilevskiy has struggled so far without any wins to go with a 4.07 GAA and .870 save percentage. He was awesome last year going 38-20-5 with six shutouts, a 2.18 GAA and .921 save percentage. Look for Vasilevskiy to turn things around, starting with the Red Wings on Friday.
VALUE PLAYS
Evander Kane, VAN at CHI ($5,300): Kane has registered two assists in four games while working on the Canucks' second power play. He wasn't involved during the 2024-25 regular season, but managed six goals, six assists and 44 PIM across 21 playoff outings.
Filip Chytil, VAN at CHI ($4,500): Chytil has potted three goals so far. The former Ranger had one decent campaign (2022-23) when he racked up 45 points. Chytil's early returns has him well on his way to a breakout year.
FORWARD LINE STACKS
Lightning at Red Wings
Brandon Hagel (W - $5,900), Brayden Point (C - $7,100), Nikita Kucherov (W - $7,900)
The Lightning are off to a slow start at 1-2-1. Kucherov, the NHL's Art Ross Trophy winner in each of the last two seasons, has only produced two goals and an assist while Point is tied for the team lead at five points. Hagel racked up 90 points last year, but only has helper through four games.
Capitals vs. Wild
Alex Ovechkin (W - $7,200), Dylan Strome (C - $5,700), Anthony Beauvillier (W - $3,200)
Ovechkin has yet to find the back of the net, though has picked up a pair of assists. Strome lists the same stats while Beauvillier is at one goal and comes in at a very reasonable salary.
DEFENSEMEN
Quinn Hughes, VAN at CHI ($7,400): Hughes is by far the best defenseman available on Friday. He's tallied three points over the first four games, helped by a goal and assist on Thursday. And if we go back three regular seasons, Hughes has produced 244 points across 228 appearances.
Zeev Buium, MIN at WSH ($4,100): Buium has begun his rookie campaign with a goal and four assists. He's highly talented on offense and has already taken over as the Wild's top power-play quarterback.
