This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
I hope you rested up on Thanksgiving because Friday is a tremendously busy day of NHL hockey. There are 14 games on the slate but there are a lot of afternoon starts thanks to the holiday. Thus, there are "only" eight games worth of players for you to choose from. Here are some of the options I like the best.
GOALIE
Columbus Blue Jackets, CLM vs OTT ($14,500):Sergei Bobrovsky has been playing some extremely good hockey this year. After winning the Vezina last season, he's currently posting even better numbers (1.91 GAA, .936 save percentage). Meanwhile, Columbus has won five games in a row, while Ottawa has lost four consecutive contests.
CENTER
Leon Draisaitl, EDM at BUF ($13,600): Draisaitl has notched 17 points through 18 games even though he doesn't have a single power-play point yet. Last season he had 27 points with the extra man, so that's likely going to change, and perhaps soon. The Sabres have a team GAA of 3.55, which is second worst in the NHL. Both of their goalies have a GAA over 3.00, so this isn't about one netminder skewing the numbers either.
Jordan Staal, CAR vs. TOR ($12,600): The Maple Leafs have allowed 33.5 shots on net per game, and 34.5 shots on goal per contest on the road. Staal, who is currently centering Carolina's top line, has 15 points and 49 shots on net through 20 games. He's also played 3:07 per game on the power play, the most he's averaged since becoming a Hurricane.
WING
Dustin Brown, LOS at ARI ($13,000): Brown has slowed down a bit after his red-hot start, but he's still playing well. He's notched seven points in his last 10 games, including four on the power play. Brown has averaged 3:07 per game with the extra man, his most since the 2011-12 season. A player doesn't need to be hot to do well against the Coyotes, anyway. Arizona has a league-worst 3.67 team GAA.
Brock Boeser, VAN at NJD ($10,500): Boeser is enjoying a breakout season, and he's averaged 17.05 fantasy points per game. He's playing particularly well recently to boot, as he's got a five-game point streak going at the moment. The Devils have allowed 34.7 shots on goal per tilt, third-most in the NHL. Boeser has 19 shots on net in his last six games, so he should be able to get a few pucks on net against Jersey.
Devin Shore, DAL vs. CGY ($8,100): If you are looking for a cheap option with some upside, Shore could be your man. His minutes are way up, as he's averaged 17:21 per game in ice time, and 2:28 on the power play. He's notched five points with the extra man through 22 games. That's notable in this matchup because the Flames have the worst penalty kill in the league. On top of that, Shore has 20 blocked shots, a fairly high number for a forward with some scoring touch.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin, LOS at ARI ($9,900): Muzzin hasn't notched a point in his last six games, but he's stayed productive as he's registered 17 shots on goal and 11 blocked shots in that time. Plus, even with this pointless streak, he's averaged 13.54 fantasy points per game. If there is ever a matchup that is going to help a player get back on the score sheet, it's this one. As previously noted, the Coyotes have the worst team GAA in the league (3.67).
Justin Faulk, CAR vs. TOR ($9,100): After getting off to a slow start, Faulk has three points in his last two games, all on the power play. This gives him five points with the extra man through 20 contests. Faulk also has put 62 shots on net, and his 1.6 shooting percentage is likely to improve. Toronto has a team GAA of 2.96, and it also has given up 33.8 shots on goal per tilt.
