This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Goalie
Semyon Varlamov, COL at LA ($7,600): Varlamov has allowed just three on 65 shots over his last two starts, both of which amounted to victories. The Kings had been red-hot, but all of a sudden they've lost three of their last four games. Varlamov is a contrarian play in tournaments tonight with high upside, in addition to the obvious risk.
Center
Ryan Johansen, NSH vs CAR ($5,800): Johansen has points in three of his last four games with a goal and three assists over that span. The Hurricanes, who are coming off of an embarrassing 8-1 destruction at the hands of the Maple Leafs, have allowed the fourth most fantasy points to centers over the last four weeks — including 17 goals and 25 assists over the 13-game span.
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs ANH ($5,300): Barzal has points in back-to-back games after a three-game dry spell. The Ducks have allowed 18 goals and 20 assists to centers in their last 15 games, and Barzal has six points in 10 December contests. He's been centering the second line and playing the point on the top power-play unit, as well.
Wing
Tyler Johnson, TB vs OTT ($5,500): Over his last eight games, Johnson has been on fire with four goals and eight assists. He and the Lightning average 3.79 goals per game, the highest mark in the league. With the Lightning back home against a reeling Ottawa team that's 3-6-1 over its last 10, Johnson shapes up as an asset to consider skating on the second line and second power-play unit.
Kevin Fiala, NSH vs CAR ($5,300): Fiala is on fire with goals in four straight and seven of his last eight games. He's skating on the second line with Craig Smith and Kyle Turris, a trio that's helped proper Nashville to fifth in the league with 3.30 goals per game. Fiala sees time on the second unit in power-play situations and has three goals with the man advantage, something Nashville excels at with the second best power play in the NHL (26.8 percent).
Chris Kreider, NYR at NJ ($5,400): Kreider has points in three of his last four games and has been a key part of the Rangers' three-game winning streak. Seeing the Devils is a welcomed sight for Kreider, as he has three goals and two assists in his last six games against them. His ice time has been a bit volatile, but Kreider is still skating on the first line and top power-play unit.
Defense
Cam Fowler, ANH at NYI ($5,100): With points in two of his last four, Fowler comes in playing well, and the Islanders have allowed the third most fantasy points to defensemen over the last four weeks. The 12 goals and 26 assists allowed over that span are both tied for the most in the NHL. The opportunities should be there for Fowler, as he's averaged over 23 minutes of ice time over his last four.
Marc-Edouard Vlasic, SJ vs VAN ($3,700): While Vlasic has just one point over his last eight games, the opportunity for production has been there. He may be able to capitalize on those opportunities Thursday against the Canucks, who have allowed the fifth most fantasy points to defensemen over the last month. With an average of 2.5 shots on goal over his last eight games, it's only a matter of time before he starts putting up some solid production relative to his bargain salary.
