This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
It's an unusual Saturday in the NHL with only the four evening games included in FanDuel's main event contests. With a shallow player pool, taking a stars-and-scrubs approach is one avenue to differentiating your selections for tournaments. Here are a handful of recommendations across multiple price points to consider.
GOALIE
Martin Jones, SAN at VAN ($8,800): Teams have struggled following their five-day bye, but Vancouver has at least five players nursing a case of the mumps and an underwhelming offense. The Canucks generate a fifth-fewest 24.56 scoring chances per 60 minutes at five-on-five and average just 2.3 goals per game. There's a chance San Jose comes out flat like many teams have following its bye, but that just means Jones could face a few more shots to help his floor.
CENTER
Evgeni Malkin, PIT vs. PHI ($8,700): Through five games since returning from a knee injury, Malkin has three goals, six points and 13 shots to improve him to a top-ranked 3.41 points per 60 minutes over the last four seasons. Philadelphia also owns a league-worst .895 team save percentage and have allowed the fifth-most goals per game in the league (2.98).
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF at COL ($6,400): With the Avalanche allowing the most goals per game in the league (3.31) and 3.11 through a 1-7-1 stretch, this is a solid matchup for the Sabres. Many likely will flock to the Jack Eichel line, so pivoting to O'Reilly could pay off. The veteran center has averaged 21:42 of ice time (2:50 with the man advantage) and posted four goals, nine points and 29 shots through 11 February games. Don't forget, Colorado also traded O'Reilly to Buffalo following the 2014-15 campaign.
WING
Joe Pavelski, SAN at VAN ($7,700): While health and big minutes have a lot to do with Pavelski's four-year ranks, his 1.35 goals and 2.74 points per 60 minutes top all skaters with at least 6,000 minutes dating back to the 2013-14 season. He entered the five-day bye with consecutive scoreless outings and has just four goals through his last 15 games. Look for Pavelski to rebound against the Canucks.
Kyle Okposo, BUF at COL ($6,200): A strong stack option with Ryan O'Reilly, Okposo is 22 games removed from his last multi-point showing. However, he still has a respectable 12 points -- six points -- through his past 18 outings, so there is a decent fantasy floor. As noted, the Avalanche check out as a favorable matchup, too.
Kevin Labanc, SAN at VAN ($3,600): A low-priced flier, Labanc is projected to skate with Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski on the top line Saturday, and the rookie has shown excellent offensive upside this season. Labanc has 15 points -- five goals -- through 10 games in the AHL this season, and his 1.59 points per 60 minutes at five-on-five is a respectable mark for a freshman that is averaging just 13:26 of ice time. He also recorded 70 goals and 234 points over 133 regular season games during his final two seasons in the OHL.
DEFENSE
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF at COL ($5,400): The cross-category production and high floor Ristolainen provides doesn't match this manageable salary. Add the juicy matchup, and the 22-year-old Finn checks out as a go-to option. After all, through his past 10 games, Ristolainen has eight points, 22 shots, 25 blocked shots while averaging 25:59 of ice time with 2:59 on the power play.
Ron Hainsey, PIT vs. PHI ($3,300): A pure speculative flier, Hainsey is projected to make his Pittsburgh debut Saturday and provides significant cap relief. While he's far removed from being an offensive contributor (just four goals and 14 points through 56 games this season), joining the highest-scoring team in the league isn't going to hurt his fantasy upside. Keep expectations in check, but other recent newcomers have had immediate success with Pittsburgh the past few seasons.
