This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's Friday. Want to start the weekend off right? Perhaps these selections for the evening's six NHL games will help that happen. We shall do our best.
GOALIE
Corey Crawford, CHI at NJD ($8,600): Yes, Crawford is off to a terrible start to the season. That's why he'll only cost you $8,600 on Friday. However, he's still the same guy who had a .924 save percentage in each of the last two seasons. He's also going up against a Devils team that has only scored 13 goals in six games. This is a good chance for him to pick up a win while offering extra value at a discounted price.
CENTER
Mika Zibanejad, NYR at CAR ($6,000): Zibanejad has taken to his new team to start the season – he's averaging a point per game and skating more than three minutes a night on the power play. Carolina is one of several young teams in the NHL struggling defensively, and the 'Canes don't have good enough goaltending to make up for their lapses in own-zone coverage.
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at VAN ($5,400): The Oilers are scoring goals left and right, a situation that seems at least somewhat sustainable when you consider the talent on their roster. Meanwhile, the Canucks got off to a fast start, but have now lost three in a row, allowing at least three goals in each of those games. Draisaitl is on a three-game pointless skid, but he has six points on the season and this is a good matchup, so he has a good chance of getting back on the scoresheet.
WING
Mike Hoffman, OTT at CGY ($5,500): Hoffman doesn't have a goal yet, but that's going to change soon. He's taken 24 shots on goal in six games without beating a goalie – not something you'd expect from a guy with 56 goals over the past two seasons –and he does have three assists. Going up against the Flames, who have let in 30 goals over eight games, is a juicy opportunity for Hoffman to finally light the lamp.
J.T. Miller, NYR at CAR ($4,800): With Chris Kreider likely out again, Miller has an opportunity to keep his hot play going. He has four points in his last three games, and he's taken 20 shots on the season. Additionally, in New York's last game, the lack of Kreider led Miller to play 5:21 on the power play. That really gives the 23-year-old's value a boost.
Jakob Silfverberg, ANA vs. CLM ($5,200): Silfverberg scored two goals in Anaheim's last game – one on the power play and one shorthanded. Sure, these are his only two goals of the season so far, but he scored 20 goals and took 215 shots on net last year. Columbus will be on the road for the second night of a back-to-back, and Sergei Bobrovsky played Thursday, meaning Curtis McElhinney will likely be in net for the Jackets. That gives Silfverberg extra value.
Matt Duchene, COL vs. WPG ($6,900): The Jets had a good night Thursday, beating the Stars. However, now they have to travel to Denver to play the Avalanche. Duchene's a really good player to begin with, and he's overcome a slow start to tally five points in five games. He's pricey, but he has the track record and matchup to justify paying up.
DEFENSEMEN
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. CLM ($4,400): Fowler is often included in trade rumors, but right now Anaheim will probably want to hold onto him. Always an offensive talent, the 24-year-old has started hot by collecting three goals and seven points, with five of those on the power play. As mentioned previously, the Ducks get the Jackets on the second night of a back-to-back, and you can guarantee that Fowler will see plenty of time with the extra man.
Damon Severson, NJD vs. CHI ($4,100): Severson isn't a well-known name, but here's the quick rundown. The 22-year-old defenseman has four points, all on the power play. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks currently have far and away the worst penalty kill in the league. They've only succeeded at keeping the puck out of their net on 46.2 percent of their shorthanded situations so far. That's a good combination for FanDuel players who want to spend their money efficiently on the blue line.
