This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
The NBA is still on break, but the NHL has stepped in Tuesday to fill the sporting void. There are nine games on the docket, giving you plenty of options for your daily fantasy lineup. Here are a few notable player recommendations:
GOALIE
Craig Anderson, OTT at NJD ($8,400): Anderson has only played in three games since returning from his extended absence, and the results have been mixed. However, on the season, he has a 2.40 GAA and a .925 save percentage, both of which are quite impressive. Fortunately, this is the kind of matchup that can help Anderson get back in the swing of things. The Devils have only scored 2.29 goals per game, which is the second-worst average in the NHL. Meanwhile, their 27.3 shots on net per contest is, in fact, the lowest in the league. Anderson shouldn't have to face much of a challenge Tuesday, and he's got a strong chance of picking up a win.
CENTER
Auston Matthews, TOR vs. WPG ($7,500): Matthews has already emerged as an offensive force in his first season, notching 28 goals on 205 shots in a mere 58 games. The Maple Leafs have helped by starting him in the offensive zone on 39.8 percent of his shifts, which is not unusual for a rookie, and Matthews has certainly made the most of his offensive opportunities. The Jets have allowed 3.11 goals per game, and their penalty kill ranks 26th in the league. Matthews, on top of everything else, has tallied 14 power-play points, so he can take advantage of Winnipeg's poor penalty kill.
Henrik Zetterberg, DET vs. NYI ($6,200): The Red Wings may be primed to miss the playoffs for the first time in over two decades. Despite that, it seems the veteran Zetterberg has found a second wind. He's tallied 14 points in his last 12 games while averaging 2.7 shots on net per game in those contests. And though he only has seven points on Detroit's punchless power play, he's averaged 3:06 per game with the extra man. The Islanders have allowed 3.60 goals per game in the month of February and 32.1 shots on net per tilt for the season. Zetterberg has a good chance of continuing his impressive recent spate of play in this matchup.
WING
Patric Hornqvist, PIT at CAR ($6,800): With so many offensive weapons on the Penguins, it's easy to overlook Hornqvist, but he's averaged an impressive 13.5 fantasy points per game. He's achieved that in part by putting a lot of shots on net, with 180 in 52 games. After a hot start, Carolina's Cam Ward only has a .905 save percentage. This includes an .880 percentage in his last 13 games, while the Hurricanes have a team percentage of .897. If Hornqvist keeps putting pucks on net – and he's averaged 4.5 shots on goal in his last six games – he could be in for a big fantasy day.
Chris Kreider, NYR vs. MON ($5,900): Heading into the season, a matchup with Montreal wouldn't have seemed particularly favorable. However, the Canadiens have allowed 3.13 goals per game in February, and Carey Price has a .890 save percentage this month. Kreider has averaged 13 fantasy points per game, and he's started 33.9 percent of his starts in the offensive zone, which is the highest percentage of any Ranger. Additionally, Kreider has tallied nine power-play points – including five goals – and the Canadiens only rank 23rd in penalty-kill percentage.
Viktor Arvidsson, NAS vs. CGY ($5,700): Arvidsson is often the forgotten forward in Nashville, even though he's their first-line right winger. He's also been quite busy offensively, tallying 179 shots in 56 games. Since returning from a two-game absence in January, he's averaged 3.3 shots on goal per contest, scoring eight goals during that span. The Flames have allowed 2.80 goals per game, which is smack dab in the middle of the league in terms of average, but their .901 team save percentage is decidedly poor.
Tyler Toffoli, LOS at COL ($5,400): If you've been playing daily fantasy all season long, you've probably been conditioned to start salivating at the sight of the Avalanche on the schedule. They've allowed a whopping 3.32 goals per game, to go along with 32.4 shots on net per contest. Toffoli may only have one goal in nine games since returning from injury, but he's been active by taking 16 shots on goal in that time. Overall, Toffoli has an 8.3 shooting percentage, which is the worst of his career. Better luck could be around the corner for him, and Colorado has been good for alleviating poor play quite often this season. At this price, it's worth opting for Toffoli on the hopes he'll break out against the abominable Avalanche.
DEFENSEMEN
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. PIT ($5,300): Faulk has been busy offensively, as per usual, notching 147 shots on net in 48 games. Since missing four games, he's averaged 2.9 shots on net over the next 18 outings. The Penguins have been much better at goal prevention with Matt Murray in net, but they've still allowed 32.2 shots on goal per contest. Additionally, the Penguins have averaged 59.8 shot attempts per 60 minutes, which is fourth most in the league. Faulk doesn't block a ton of shots (57), but is averaging a little more than one per game. He could add to that total in this matchup.
Johnny Boychuk, NYI at DET ($4,800): Jimmy Howard doesn't seem quite ready to return yet, which means that Petr Mrazek (2.97 GAA, .903 save percentage) will likely be in net. Boychuk has been busy on both ends of the ice, amassing 130 shots on net and 110 blocked shots in 54 games. Despite all those blocked shots, Boychuk gets a lot of favorable looks. He's started 35.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, which is third-highest on the Islanders. Boychuk also has six assists in his last eight games.
