This article is part of our DraftKings NHL series.
There are eight games in the NHL on Thursday. Here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price points to consider at DraftKings.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. COL ($8,300): The Ducks are highly favored to win on home ice against a Colorado squad that ranks dead-last in the NHL with a minus-57 goal differential. The Avalanche are 6-15 in their past 21 trips to Anaheim, so you'll want plenty of exposure. Colorado has also managed just 23 goals scored over the past 16 games (1.44 per game), so Gibson is a huge value against an awful opponent.
CENTER
Radek Faksa, DAL at NYI ($3,900): The Islanders have had difficulties on home ice, allowing a total of 21 goals over their past six games at Barclays Center. That's great news for Faksa, who is averaging better than a point-per-game clip over his past seven outings. Faksa has moved into a top-six forward role and is playing plenty of minutes. At this low-level DFS salary, he will easily earn his keep while also saving you plenty of salary to load up elsewhere.
Eric Staal, MIN vs. ARI ($7,000): Staal is enjoying quite the resurgence in St. Paul, as he's on pace for his highest point total since 2010-11. He'll look to add to his team-leading scoring against an Arizona squad that ranks No. 29 in the league with a minus-49 goal differential. The Coyotes also rank 26th on the penalty kill, and the man advantage is where Staal has been most effective.
WING
Mikael Granlund, MIN vs. ARI ($5,500): Granlund is looking to extend his point streak to five games, and facing Arizona's beleaguered defense almost ensures he'll do just that. Granlund provides plenty of offense, he'll rarely hurt you in the plus-minus category, and he's contributed six blocked shots over his past four games as an added bonus. He's joined with Mikko Koivu and Jason Zucker to form one of the most formidable No. 2 scoring lines in the league.
Anders Lee, NYI vs. DAL ($4,900): Lee is a mid-level value, as the Stars have had tremendous difficulties in the crease over the past few games. Dallas has allowed 5.0 goals per game over the past three outings, and Lee has 11 shots on goal over his past three games. He'll put the puck on net early and often, testing the shaky goaltenders of the Stars. This salary is a small price to pay, especially against the league's 29th-ranked penalty-killing unit.
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. COL ($6,500): Rakell ranks fifth in the NHL in shooting percentage, converting 22.1 percent of his shot attempts into markers. Five of his goals have come on the man advantage, and the Avalanche ranks just 24th in penalty kill. If you're planning a stack on Thursday, Anaheim and Minnesota players are the way to go. Rakell notched a goal, an assist and a plus-2 rating Denver when these clubs last met a week ago in Denver.
DEFENSE
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. NAS ($5,200): Giordano has rolled up 106 blocked shots through 47 games, ranking sixth in the NHL in the category. As such, he's almost guaranteed at least 1.0-1.5 fantasy points just due to that category alone. He logs plenty of time on the power play, posting a goal with five points on the man advantage through eight games in January. Giordano will be very busy in a physical game, blocking plenty of shots, and any extra offense he produces is just an added reward at this price level.
Erik Karlsson, OTT at CLM ($6,700): Karlsson is tied for the Eastern Conference lead in points per game (0.86) among defensemen, and he has a power-play goal and 12 assists on the man advantage this season. Regardless of the matchup, Karlsson is always a good play due to his solid plus-minus and his willingness to sacrifice his body and collect points via the blocked shot. His shot rate is way down this season, but he remains a top-flight rearguard every time out.
