This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It's Friday, and another work week is in the books. Kick off your shoes and enjoy one of the eight NHL games that will take us into the weekend. Before that, though, here are some recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Carolina Hurricanes, CAR vs. VAN ($16,100): The Canucks are a long way from home, and they are also on the second night of a back-to-back. That doesn't bode well for a team that has only averaged 2.60 goals and 29.7 shots on net per game. The Hurricanes have had their issues with goaltending, but they've allowed a mere 29.3 shots on goal per contest, second fewest in the NHL. Vancouver's punchless offense shouldn't give them too much of a fight.
CENTER
Ryan Getzlaf, ANA vs. EDM ($13,600): Getzlaf has been great offensively when he's been on the ice. He's notched 34 points in 31 games and, even though he isn't known as a shooter, he's put 35 pucks on net in his last 10 contests. The Oilers have a 3.21 team GAA and the league's worst penalty kill. Getzlaf has averaged 2:57 per game with the extra man, so that's a weakness he can certainly take advantage of.
Jason Spezza, DAL vs. PIT ($7,200): Yes, this has been a rough season for Spezza, but he does have eight points in his last 10 games, plus three in his last four contests. He's also started 57.4 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, most on the Stars, so Dallas is trying to make it easy for him. Since the Penguins have a 3.22 team GAA on the road, Spezza is worth a shot at this price, as the veteran pivot offers the potential to provide real bang for your buck.
WING
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. VAN ($11,200): The Canucks had a 3.17 team GAA before playing the Lightning on Thursday, and they aren't going to be at their pinnacle on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. Even though Vancouver saved Jacob Markstrom for this matchup, he has a 3.09 GAA and a .899 save percentage in his last 20 outings. Skinner has struggled to score recently, but he can chalk that up to a 7.9 shooting percentage. He's still putting a ton of shots on net. All he needs is some more puck luck.
Matthew Tkachuk, CGY at NYR ($11,200): Who cares if the Flames are on the second night of a back-to-back? The Rangers are imploding! They have a 3.04 team GAA and have allowed 33.9 shots on net per tilt, but those numbers have been much worse recently. In January, their team GAA was 3.67, and that number is up to 4.25 in February. Tkachuk, for his part, has 17 goals and 19 assists in 52 games, including 11 power-play points.
Anthony Mantha, DET at NYI ($10,700): The Islanders have the worst team GAA in the NHL and they've allowed the most shots on net per game in the league. Friday, they are on the second night of a back-to-back. On zero days of rest, New York has a 3.80 team GAA and has allowed 35.6 shots on goal per contest. Mantha has 16 goals in 50 games, and even though he's struggled a bit recently this is a matchup you absolutely should want to take advantage of.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin, LOS at FLA ($10,600): Sure, Harri Sateri has played well in his last few games, but he's still a 28-year-old third-string goalie who had zero NHL experience before this season. The Panthers are also still a team that has allowed 34.9 shots on net per tilt. Since returning from injury, Muzzin has nine points in nine games, and he's put 21 shots on net. He's also blocked 93 shots in 50 contests, so he could add a little fantasy value there too.
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. EDM ($10,100): Fowler's picked things up recently, as he has eight points, including five on the power play, in his last seven contests. Overall, he's averaged 2:52 a night with the extra man, and he has 10 power-play points in 43 games. As previously noted, the Oilers have the worst penalty kill in the league, so don't be surprised if Fowler's power-play success continues.
