This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It's a busy Thursday in the NHL with 11 games on the slate. The mind boggles at the possibilities for your daily fantasy lineup. Hopefully I can help de-boggle it with the recommendations below…
GOALIE
New York Rangers, NYR vs. ARI ($15,900): Sure, Henrik Lundqvist isn't off to the greatest start, but the Coyotes aren't much of a threat. Arizona has only averaged 2.33 goals per game, third fewest in the NHL. On top of that, it's allowed 4.33 goals per contest, which is the most in the league. The chances of the Rangers picking up a win are high in this one.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA at FLA ($13,500): Getzlaf has been banged up a bit, but he's coming off a season where he notched 73 points in 74 games, and he just tallied two points in his last contest after missing a few games with injury. The Panthers have allowed 3.75 goals and 36.5 shots on net per game, not making it easy on Florida's goalies. With Roberto Luongo out, James Reimer is in net, and he has a .903 save percentage thus far.
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS at VAN ($13,000): The Canucks are off to a strong start, but it's a little hard to completely buy in. After all, last year they allowed 2.94 goals and 31.8 shots on net per contest, and that was when they still had Ryan Miller on the roster. Vancouver also had the 28th-ranked penalty kill. Backstrom already has 12 points (seven on the power play), which makes him look like a steal here.
WING
Jeff Skinner, CAR at TOR ($11,200): Toronto's offense has been on fire, but the Maple Leafs have allowed 3.33 goals and 32.7 shots on net per contest. This comes after they allowed 32.6 shots on goal last season. Skinner has started a whopping 72.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, and he has five goals and 23 shots on net in seven games.
Patric Hornqvist, PIT vs. WPG ($10,900): The Jets gave up 3.11 goals per tilt last year, and so far this season that number is up to 3.71. Hornqvist had 21 goals on 223 shots in 70 games last season, and he's never failed to notch at least 21 goals and 220 shots anytime he's played over 28 contests. On top of that, he's averaged 4:23 on the power play so far this year has three points with the extra man.
Pavel Buchnevich, NYR vs. ARI ($8,600): Buchnevich has averaged 4:12 on the power play, notching three points. He doesn't play a ton of minutes overall, but last year Sam Gagner was a power-play specialist for Columbus and managed 50 points (18 on the PP). As previously mentioned, the Coyotes have allowed a league-high 4.33 goals per contest, and they had the 27th-ranked penalty kill last year.
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan Suter, MIN vs. NYI ($10,500): The Islanders have allowed 2.89 goals per game, but they've also given up 34.0 shots on net per contest, putting real pressure on their goalies. Suter has averaged 15.14 fantasy points this season thanks in large part to five assists (three on the power play) through seven games.
Jacob Trouba, WPG at PIT ($9,900): The Penguins have given up 4.00 goals and 33.1 shots on net per contest this year. That's a lot for a great team like Pittsburgh, but it allowed 32.6 shots on goal last season when they ended up winning the Cup. Trouba has put 18 shots on goal through seven games, but he also has 17 blocked shots. He should be able to help your fantasy team with contributions at both ends of the ice.
