This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's not as busy as your typical NHL Tuesday, but there are still seven games on the slate. That's enough of a selection that you won't have to scrounge for good value, and it gives you a variety of decent options from which to choose. We're here to help point out which options might be a little better than others:
GOALIE
Corey Crawford, CHI vs. DET ($8,900): Crawford has been no worse for the wear since his lengthy absence, with a .920 save percentage in his six games since returning. The Wings are only scoring 2.38 goals per game and own the league's worst power play. The penalty kill has been one of Chicago's few weaknesses, but that shouldn't be an issue here.
CENTER
Ryan Kesler, ANA vs. DAL ($7,100): The Stars will be playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and they are already allowing 3.03 goals per game; being in action two days in a row definitely won't make them better at goal prevention. Kesler has 35 points in 42 games, including 15 on the power play. The Stars are 29th on the penalty kill, so that bodes well for Kesler.
Mike Fisher, NAS vs. VAN ($4,900): Fisher has been on a nice run recently, notching six points in his last six games. This is partially why he's averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game, which is more than you normally get from a player at this price. The Canucks are allowing 2.86 goals and 30.8 shots per game, making this a good matchup for Fisher. He also has 11 power-play points, and Vancouver ranks 20th on the penalty kill.
WING
Wayne Simmonds, PHI at BUF ($7,000): Simmonds' lofty shooting percentage has dropped to a more reasonable 15.2, but he's still playing a career-high 19:10 per game and has amassed 32 points in 42 games. He's also taken 112 shots on goal in 42 games, and the Sabres are allowing a whopping 32.8 shots per game, which is 28th in the league. Buffalo also ranks dead last on the penalty kill, and Simmonds has 15 power-play points.
Marian Hossa, CHI vs. DET ($6,400): Hossa only has one point in his three games since returning from injury, but he still has 16 goals in 37 games, plus six power-play points. Neither Petr Mrazek (3.10 GAA) nor Jared Coreau (3.14 GAA) is too imposing to go up against. Now that he has a few games under his belt, perhaps Hossa is ready to start racking up goals again. This matchup definitely could help on that front.
Brayden Schenn, PHI at BUF ($6,200): Given how good Philly's power play is, and how many shots the Sabres give up, there's more than one enticing Flyer to select for your lineup. Schenn is playing a whopping 3:49 per game with the extra man and, like Simmonds, has 15 power-play points. He also hasn't cooled down like his fellow Flyer, with six points in his last six games.
Thomas Vanek, DET at CHI ($5,600): While you've got to like Crawford's chances of picking up the win, there's still some potential for a player like Vanek to have a decent fantasy day. The Blackhawks give up 31.1 shots on goal per game, and they rank 28th on the penalty kill. The Wings do have a bad power play, but Vanek has six points with the extra man, and eight total points in his last seven games.
DEFENSEMEN
Shayne Gostisbehere, PHI at BUF ($5,400): One more Flyer for good measure. Gostisbehere isn't producing like he did last season, but he's still taken 95 shots in 40 games, and has 12 power-play points. As noted earlier, the Sabres give up a lot of shots and are terrible on the penalty kill, both something which Ghost Bear can take advantage. He doesn't need to be as good as he was last year to be a real fantasy producer.
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. DAL ($4,900): The Stars, as previously mentioned, are giving up 3.03 goals per game and their penalty kill is truly woeful. Fowler has 11 power-play points, and averages 3:23 per game with the extra man. He's in the middle of a cold spell, which is probably why he's relatively cheap, but that just makes him a buy-low option with this great matchup.
