This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Here are some players to target for a hefty 12-game slate Thursday…
GOALIE
Minnesota Wild, MIN vs. BUF ($16,400): Now that Devan Dubnyk (2.59 GAA, .919 save percentage) is healthy, the Wild are a much stronger play. However, this matchup is so good it almost doesn't matter who's in net for Minnesota. The Sabres have scored a league-low 2.21 goals per game and is 5-10-6 on the road. The Wild, on the other hand, are 13-4-2 at home.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA at EDM ($13,800): Getzlaf has made up for lost time since returning from injury, as he has 16 points in 11 games since rejoining his teammates. He only has four power-play points thus far, but the veteran has had at least 13 points with the extra man in his last nine campaigns. Don't be surprised if he adds to his power-play total in this one since the Oilers have the league's worst penalty kill.
Derek Ryan, CAR at PIT ($7,200): Ryan has four goals and four assists in his last nine contests. He's also notched six power-play points in 39 games. The Penguins haven't found their footing defensively yet and have a team GAA of 3.12. It can't be blamed on Matt Murray's absence, either, given his ugly .903 save percentage.
WING
Jakub Voracek, PHI vs. NYI ($13,500): Though Voracek only has eight goals, he's tallied a whopping 38 assists, giving him 46 points in 39 games. He's also been outstanding on the power play once again, as he's tallied 18 points with the extra man already. This is about as good of a matchup as any too, as the Islanders have a team GAA of 3.58, worst in the league. They also have the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
Craig Smith, NAS at ARI ($11,500): Smith has 111 shots on goal through 38 games, but he's been particularly busy putting pucks on net recently. In his last 10 tilts, he's notched 46 shots, and he has six points in that time to boot. The Coyotes have a woeful 3.54 team GAA, and their goalies have a collective .889 save percentage.
Timo Meier, SAN at TOR ($7,200): Meier may only have 12 points this season, but six of them have come in his last eight games, and five of those have been goals. He's currently playing on San Jose's top line, and in his last 10 contests he's registered 28 shots on net. The Maple Leafs have given up 33.8 shots on goal per game and have a 2.90 team GAA.
DEFENSEMEN
Seth Jones, CLM at COL ($11,300):Zach Werenski got all the love last year, but it's Jones who has been leading the way this season. He's put 121 shots on net through 41 games and has tallied nine points in his last 10. The Avalanche have a 3.10 team GAA, and Semyon Varlamov is day-to-day, which muddies the waters further for Colorado.
Torey Krug, BOS vs. FLA ($10,500): The Panthers have allowed 35.5 shots on net per game, which is most in the NHL. Krug has notched the most shots among Boston defensemen with 75 through 34 games. In the past, though, he's been more prolific, as he's had at least 205 shots on goal in his last three campaigns. Krug has also averaged a whopping 3:41 with the extra man this year.
