This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
It's a booming 11-game night in the National Hockey League this Thursday. Typically, with such a deep player pool, there are ample lineup construction strategies. While that remains the case on this night, finding room for Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin remains a worthy pursuit most nights they take the ice.
With that in mind, here are some value leans to help open wiggle room to manipulate the $45,000 salary cap, including a pair of contrarian options from Dallas.
Player Recommendations
G: John Gibson, ANA at BUF ($7,450): There's no denying the talent, and now the opportunity to start for the Ducks has been handed to Gibson. Buffalo presents a plus matchup, as the Sabres are averaging just 1.8 goals over their past five outings and only 2.06 for the season at home. Gibson's sterling .934 save percentage is worth targeting with Anaheim sitting on a 5-1 loss to Carolina for the past six days.
C: Jason Spezza, DAL vs. CGY ($5,300): With 16 shots over his past five games and just a single assist to show for it, Spezza's fortunes should improve in the near future. Thursday presents a prime spot to breakout, as the Flames have allowed 3.53 goals per road outing. Spezza remains a staple on the No. 1 power-play unit, which is another strong reason to keep using the slumping veteran.
W: Mikkel Boedker, ARI vs. CBJ ($5,700): The Danish winger has five goals and two helpers through his past eight games, putting 20 shots on net while averaging 18:29 of ice time. Meanwhile, the Jackets enter action Thursday reeling, mired in a five-game losing streak while allowing 3.8 goals per game.
W: Marian Gaborik, LA at MTL ($4,450): With the Habs having lost five of their last six games, allowing exactly three goals in each of those defeats, this matchup has legs. Gaborik has a goal and 14 shots over his past three games, and his price doesn't match his upside on the No. 1 line and power-play unit.
W: Mattias Janmark, DAL vs. CGY ($3,450): Fading the No. 1 line in Dallas? Janmark is an excellent budget play Thursday. He has four goals on 18 shots over his past seven games with a plus-8 rating. Janmark has consistently passed the eye test as an intelligent two-way player with a nice opportunity next to Jason Spezza and Patrick Sharp.
D: Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI vs. VAN ($3,800): Ghost has fit right into his role with the No. 1 power-play unit, and along with his excellent skating ability, he has six goals and five assists through 15 games this season. The Canucks have surrendered 3.4 goals per game over their past five outings, with a vulnerable 77.9 penalty-kill percentage. The savings-upside combo next to the matchup make Gostisbehere a lock for Thursday's lineups.
D: Dan Boyle, NYR at MIN ($3,750): Injuries have opened up opportunities for Boyle, and he has two goals and two helpers over his past four games with seven blocked shots and nine shots on goal. He's averaging 21:46 during that span and seeing time with the No. 1 power-play unit. Just note that this isn't a favorable matchup at all.
Ducks Stack
C Ryan Getzlaf and W Corey Perry, ANA at BUF ($5,000 and $5,100): Since returning from injury in early November, Getzlaf has been a point-per-game player again, and while the pace has been buoyed by a five-assist showing against the Flames, this is a spot where the star center could have another breakout showing.
Perry has also played well of late, with 10 goals and six helpers over his past 18 games while firing 54 shots on goal; both he and Getzlaf should tee off on a Buffalo penalty-killing unit that's operating at just a 76.9 percent rate.
