This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
There are eight games in the NHL on Thursday and plenty of intriguing mismatches to consider stacking against. Here are a handful of players across multiple price ranges to consider while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Devan Dubnyk, MIN vs. ARI ($9,500): Minnesota is 17-2-1 over its past 20 games and grab the basement-dwelling Coyotes on the wrong end of back-to-back road games. It's a dreamy matchup, and Dubnyk has been an elite fantasy asset all season. Still, finding savings in goal is a popular daily strategy, so Dubnyk could be under-owned in tournaments despite his sterling .937 save percentage and 1.85 GAA.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. NYR ($7,800): The Rangers have allowed the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (12.04) over their past 25 games, which sweetens the deal for the already alluring freshman. Matthews' 1.77 goals, 3.05 points and 11.88 shots per 60 minutes are elite marks, and until he slows down or is priced properly, he's in lineup-lock territory.
Eric Staal, MIN vs. ARI ($6,400): Talk about a rebound season. Staal's 2.85 points per 60 minutes rank 6th among all skaters with at least 800 minutes this season, and he lands in a high-end matchup Thursday. Arizona enters on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and has allowed the most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes in the league this season.
WING
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. COL ($6,400): The Avalanche have allowed a league-high 3.73 goals per 60 minutes through their past 25 games, and Rakell is finding his offensive form again. The 23-year-old forward has three goals and an assist through his past four games and owns a second-ranked 1.81 goals per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 400 minutes this season. His price isn't in the prohibitive range, either.
Josh Bailey, NYI vs. DAL ($5,200): The Stars have allowed 3.88 goals per game in January and surrendered the third-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (11.95) for the season. Bailey has played well of late with a goal, five points and nine shots through his past three games, and his role alongside John Tavares boosts his value. There's a chance his ownership stays low despite everything checking out for him Thursday, too.
Joel Ward, SAN vs. TAM ($3,800): Considering that he registered a 15.6 shooting percentage from 2012-13 through 2015-16, Ward's current 7.1 mark has positive regression ahead. He's also been more of an offensive factor recently with two goals and seven points over his past seven games. The Lightning are riddled with injuries, and Ward should see a number of soft matchups at five-on-five, so he's worth a look as a source of cap relief Thursday.
DEFENSE
Matt Niskanen, WAS at STL ($5,000): St. Louis has struggled defensively in January (3.13 goals against per game), and Niskanen climbs the depth chart with John Carlson (lower body) likely out. Not only does Niskanen have two consecutive multi-point outings, he also has a history of stepping into an offensive role and providing excellent fantasy numbers. Additionally, his salary is easily slid under the cap.
Jake Gardiner, TOR vs. NYR ($4,700): Similarly to Niskanen, Gardiner should see a larger role with Morgan Rielly (ankle) expected to be out for this game. As noted, this is an excellent matchup for Toronto, and Gardiner is well on his way to a career year. He logged 29:24 of ice Tuesday against Buffalo, and another minute-munching night is likely ahead Thursday.
