This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's Friday, so kick your shoes off and prepare yourself for seven NHL games. That's a reasonable chunk of the league in action, giving you a bevy of options to choose from. Some of those options are better than others, though, so let's find some of those nice values out there.
GOALIE
Chad Johnson, CGY vs. NJD ($8,200): For a little while there, Brian Elliott started to get pick up more starts, but Johnson has gotten the nod in Calgary's last three games, notching a .940 save percentage in the process. It seems like he's strengthened his hold on the starting job again. The Devils are only averaging 2.19 goals per game, and they've given up an average of 2.90. Johnson shouldn't be tested too much, and his chances of winning are strong.
CENTER
Victor Rask, CAR vs. BUF ($5,800): The Sabres will be on the second night of a back-to-back, which could mean the unproven Linus Ullmark in net. On top of that, Buffalo gives up 33 shots per contest and owns the league's worst penalty kill. Rask has been skating an average of 2:21 per game with the extra man, and he has seven power-play points among his 31 total points.
Bryan Little, WPG at ARI ($5,700): Little has 15 points in the 20 games he's played since returning from the injury he suffered in the season opener. He's also put 48 shots on goal in that time, but there's reason to believe he can do better than his per-game average against the Coyotes. Arizona's giving up a league-worst 34 shots on goal per game, and as Winnipeg's top-line, center Little should have plenty of opportunity to take advantage.
WING
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. TOR ($6,900): The Maple Leafs give up 32.6 shots on goal per game, and Frederik Andersen has a 4.24 GAA in his last four starts. That bodes well for Kreider, who has 101 shots in 36 games. He's been particularly hot recently, notching seven goals on 30 shots in his last eight contests.
Nick Foligno, CLM at TAM ($6,600): Foligno is averaging 13.8 fantasy points per game, owing in part to the 16 power-play points he's tallied. The Lightning have allowed 2.98 goals per game to this point, and they've been particularly bad since Andrei Vasilevskiy (.904 save percentage) started struggling; Ben Bishop came back Thursday, but isn't likely to draw back-to-back starts straight off IR. Tampa also has the 22nd-ranked penalty kill, creating a particularly good matchup for Foligno and the Blue Jackets.
Jonathan Marchessault, FLA vs. NYI ($5,600): The Islanders' 33.0 shots on goal allowed per game are 29th in the league, and their penalty kill ranks 21st. Meanwhile, Marchessault averages 2:58 a night with the extra man, where he's notched eight points in 36 games. He's averaging 11.6 fantasy points per game, and while some of that is because of a hot start, he does have six points in his last eight games.
Radim Vrbata, ARI vs. WPG ($5,200): The Jets have a great matchup with the Coyotes, but it isn't exactly daunting for Arizona either. Winnipeg ranks 26th in both goals allowed and penalty-kill percentage. Vrbata only has nine goals, but he's taken 117 shots in 40 games, so it's not for lack of trying. He also plays 2:49 a game on the power play, so he can take advantage of the Jets' poor penalty kill.
DEFENSEMEN
Zach Werenski, CLM at TAM ($5,500): After a hot start, Werenski has cooled off a bit, which has made his price drop. However, he's still averaging 21:12 of ice time, with 2:59 of that on the power play. He's also notched 15 points with the extra man and put 100 shots on net in 40 games. At this price in this matchup, Werenski has the potential to be a real steal.
Jacob Trouba, WPG at ARI ($5,100): Trouba got off to a slow start after his holdout, but he's now averaging 10.7 fantasy points per game. He recently had a five-game point streak, and he's registered 63 shots in 29 games. The Coyotes, as previously mentioned, have given up the most shots in the league, not to mention 3.18 goals per tilt. It would not be surprising to see Trouba back on the scoresheet.
