This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Thursday offers a jam-packed slate of 11 games, giving us a deep player pool to choose from. There are all kinds of ways to differentiate your lineups, so don't go overboard trying to unearth too many hidden gems. Here's a collection of value options and low-priced fliers to help assemble your FanDuel roster.
GOALIE
Steve Mason, PHI vs. ANA ($7,800): Anaheim enters playing its fifth road game in eight nights to start the season, while Philadelphia went 23-10-8 at home last year. Also, this is the Flyers' home opener. Mason has been shaky to start the campaign (.870 save percentage), but he boasts a .921 mark over the previous three seasons. Anaheim, meanwhile, has scored just seven goals through its first four games.
CENTER
Alex Galchenyuk, MON vs. ARI: ($5,900): While still looking for his first goal of the season, Galchenyuk has registered an assist in each of his first three games. He's playing on the top line and No. 1 power-play unit, and his price remains affordable, especially considering his upside following a 30-goal campaign. Arizona has allowed 10 goals through its first two games of the season, so the matchup is cushy, too.
Victor Rask, CAR at CGY ($5,000): The third-year pivot has two goals and two assists already with nine shots on goal through three games. He's receiving top offensive minutes, is affordable, and will likely be low owned. Add in that Calgary has allowed 4.0 goals per game to start the year, and Rask is a nice contrarian option Thursday.
WING
Jonathan Drouin, TAM vs. COL ($5,500): With the off-ice matters out of the way, Drouin has averaged 18:53 of ice time to start the season with 4:01 of the power-play variety. He's returned four points and registered 11 shots on net through the first three games of the season, so he's well on his way to a breakout campaign. Colorado has surrendered 3.67 goals per game to start the year, and this should be an eventful matchup.
Charlie Coyle, MIN vs. TOR ($4,900): With a point in each of his first three games and a role on the No. 1 line and top power-play unit, Coyle's a nice mid-priced target. Toronto is on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and blew a 4-0 lead Wednesday, so the matchup checks out, too.
Robby Fabbri, STL at EDM ($4,500): The sophomore hasn't exploded out of the gate (two assists through four games), but Fabbri lands in a nice matchup, and his salary reflects his modest start to the season. Edmonton has allowed 15 goals through its four games, and Fabbri will again enjoy top-six minutes Thursday.
Sam Bennett, CGY vs. CAR ($3,900): A low-priced flier off to a slow start, Bennett is still chasing his first point of the season and has registered just seven shots on net through four games. He's averaging 2:42 of power-play time per night and playing a top-six role, though. Call it a hunch that he finds the scoresheet Thursday.
DEFENSE
John Klingberg, DAL vs. LOS ($5,100): Some are still going to view Los Angeles as a tough matchup, but that's just not the case with Jeff Zatkoff serving as the primary netminder. Klingberg is a high-end offensive defenseman who is underpriced. He has a single assist and just three shots on net thus far, but is still averaging oodles of ice time with 24:01 overall and 3:23 on the power-play. The Swede has blocked eight shots this season, too, which adds some sneaky value.
Anton Stralman, TAM vs. COL ($3,900): Typically a cross-category contributor, Stralman has barely touched the stat columns to start the campaign. He has just two shots and two blocked shots through three games despite averaging 23:29 per night and 2:44 with the man advantage. Positive regression is ahead, and Stralman is staring at a cushy matchup with a cushier price.
