This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
While nine games make for a lighter Thursday night in the NHL, there are still plenty of avenues to differentiate your selections for tournaments from this deep player pool. Here are a number of recommendations across multiple price ranges to considering while assembling your FanDuel lineups.
GOALIE
Steve Mason, PHI vs. NYI ($7,900): While the sample sizes are small, the Islanders have been held to a single goal in each of their past two outings, while Mason sports a .938 save percentage and 1.62 GAA over his past three games. It's been a disappointing season for Mason and the Flyers, but the netminder posted a second-ranked .941 five-on-five save percentage over the prior two years, so the talent is there. At this price, Mason's fully within flier territory.
CENTER
Claude Giroux, PHI vs. NYI ($6,900): The Islanders have allowed the second-most high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, and Giroux -- who suffered through a bad slump earlier this year -- has been a more consistent contributor of late, notching 11 points and 25 shots through his past 12 games. He's still a key cog on the No. 1 power-play unit and has collected 29 points with the man advantage this season. With a deep center pool, Giroux's ownership should be low.
Brayden Point, TAM vs. DET ($4,300): With four goals, eight points and 19 shots while averaging 21:27 of ice time (3:06 on the power play) through his past eight outings, Point is priced for profit. The Red Wings aren't a daunting opponent, and Tampa Bay is rolling. Point's projected to continue skating with Nikita Kucherov, which is a significant fantasy boon, and the pivot helps mitigate Kucherov's hefty salary in a mini stack.
WING
Nikita Kucherov, TAM vs. DET ($8,500): With five consecutive multi-point showings totaling seven goals and four assists, Kucherov is as close to a lineup lock as you'll find in daily hockey. After all, on top of his recent offensive heater, Kucherov also sports the second-most goals (1.73) and points (3.6) per 60 minutes among all skaters with at least 400 minutes this season.
Brad Marchand, BOS vs. DAL ($7,700): This is a ripe matchup for Marchand to break out of his recent scoring slump (just two assists through his past five games). Dallas sports the second-worst team save percentage (.895) and has allowed the third-most goals per game (3.16) in the league. The Stars have also been awful while shorthanded, allowing the most goals per 60 minutes (9.53) to go with the league's worst penalty-kill percentage (74.0).
Charlie Coyle, MIN vs. OTT ($3,900): Minnesota is in a serious funk, and Coyle's recent production isn't strong (two goals and an assist through his past 10 games). However, Ottawa has lost six of its past eight outings, and Coyle's projected to skate with the top line and No. 1 power-play unit. His salary has also bottomed out, and it presents tremendous value. It's rare to find a player in the midst of a breakout season and playing top offensive minutes in this price range.
DEFENSE
Torey Krug, BOS vs. DAL ($5,100): As noted, this is a prime matchup for the Bruins, especially with the man advantage. Krug has already posted career-high marks in points (49) and power-play points (23), and he's in solid form right now, notching two goals, six helpers and 29 shots through his past 12 outings. His manageable salary helps, too.
Andrei Markov, MON vs. FLA ($4,900): The Panthers are playing their third road game in four nights and have allowed seven goals through the first two outings (both losses). For his part, Markov has posted two goals, nine points, 22 shots and 14 blocked shots through his past 11 games and boasts a high floor because of his cross-category production. It's also worth adding that 22 of his 36 points have come in his 32 home games.
