This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Goalie
Brian Elliott, PHI vs MTL ($8,000): Elliott came back from a lower-body injury in his last start and looked good stopping 27 of 28 shots against the Hurricanes. The Canadiens have averaged 33.6 shots on goal per game, which is seventh-most in the league, but they have converted those chances to just 2.58 goals per contest, which ranks 27th in the NHL.
Center
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs NYI ($6,000): The 27-year-old pivot has 15 goals and 21 assists on the season with eight power-play points. Averaging over 20 minutes of ice time with over three minutes per game on the power play, O'Reilly should take advantage of the Islanders' 30th-ranked penalty kill. Over his last six games, the Ontario native has four goals, an assist and 20 shots on net.
Ryan Johansen, NSH at OTT ($5,900): Johansen had his three-game point streak snapped Wednesday but has a goal and four assists over his last four contests. Of his 33 points this season, 12 of them have come on the power play as the veteran pivot is averaging 3:14 of ice time in such situations. The Senators have allowed 3.35 goals per game — the third-most in the league — while allowing the fourth-most fantasy points to centers over the last month.
Wing
Yanni Gourde, TB vs VAN ($4,900): The third-liner is in the midst of a three-game point streak with two goals and three assists over that span. Furthermore, he has points in six of his last seven games with five goals and three assists. With 38 points — 19 goals — Gourde has seen scarce time on the power play but has capitalized on his opportunities. While averaging just 1:53 on the man advantage, he's contributed seven power-play points.
Jason Zucker, MIN vs ARI ($6,600): Zucker has 22 goals and 18 assists. Of those 40 points, 10 have come on the power play. Since Jan. 10, a 10-game span, Zucker has seven goals and three assists while averaging 3.10 shots on net. This matchup doesn't get much better, as Arizona has lost each of its last four games while allowing an average of 4.50 goals against over that span.
Jordan Eberle, NYI at BUF ($5,700): The Islanders are third in the NHL with 3.30 goals per game, while the Sabres' team GAA of 3.28 is third worst. Although Eberle has just four goals in his last eight games, he's had plenty of opportunities, averaging 3.25 shots on goal over that time. Of his 40 points this season, just four have come on the power play, which could improve Thursday against the 25th-ranked Buffalo penalty kill.
Defense
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs NYI ($4,600): The Islanders have allowed the most fantasy points to defensemen over the last month, which gives Ristolainen some value Thursday in what should be one of the highest-scoring games on the slate. Ice time is not an issue for the young blueliner as he's seen at least 27 minutes in each of his last four games. He also has 22 points in 44 games this season.
Ryan Suter, MIN vs ARI ($5,600):The Wisconsin native has recorded double-digit fantasy points in six of his last seven games. He's contributed in multiple ways with five assists, 12 shots on goal, and 14 blocked shots. The Coyotes have allowed eight goals and 25 assists to defensemen over their last 11 games, making Suter an attractive play here.
