This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
SLATE PREVIEW
There's plenty of litmus test games on Thursday's 11-game slate, including the Oilers (+126) as the underdog against the Bruins on the road. It's a curious line, considering how the Oilers have only lost twice this season and carry a lot of firepower against expected starter Linus Ullmark, who has not been able to hold down the starting job.
In other potentially tight games, the young Red Wings put their three-game winning streak on the line against the visiting Capitals, while the Avalanche attempt to snap their two-game slump against the visiting Canucks, whose offense has suddenly come alive.
GOALIES
Jordan Binnington, STL vs. NSH ($8,700): Juuse Saros started Wednesday night against the Stars so that means the Preds will likely start David Rittich, who will be making his season debut. The Preds continue to lurk tied for third place in the Central, but they should be no match to the Blues, who have a much deeper and more balanced lineup.
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. SJ ($8,300): Hellebuyck has lost two straight games but both of them were in overtime. He was very good otherwise, allowing four goals on 69 shots (.942 Sv%) and the Sharks are faltering a little with four losses in their past seven games. Games between the two teams have traditionally been very close; seven of their past nine meetings have been decided by one goal. The advantage should go to the Jets on home ice.
Ilya Samsonov, WSH at DET ($8,1000): We'll give Samsonov the benefit of the doubt after he was pulled in his last start against a tough Panthers team. He hasn't lived up to expectations this season but the Caps have traditionally dominated the Wings; since the 2010-11 season, the Caps have lost to the Wings in regulation only three (!) times.
Jacob Markstrom, CGY at MON ($8,000): Markstrom lost his previous start but it was an otherwise ordinary performance with two goals allowed on 24 shots. The Habs have the league's second-worst offense in goals per game and lost five of their past six games. The Flames forecheck could cause problems for a slow Habs defense, which has allowed 14 goals in their past three games.
Thatcher Demko, VAN at COL ($7,500): This game seems ripe for stealing with Nathan MacKinnon out of the lineup. Demko got some much-needed rest after taking the night off against the Ducks, and he's been arguably the Canucks' MVP this season. The Avs have lost three of their past five and have been held to three goals or less six times this season.
Cal Petersen, LA at OTT ($7,000): Petersen will be looking for his fourth straight win while the Sens have lost five straight with 23 goals allowed. This should be one of the best value matchups of the night among goalies.
John Gibson, ANH at SEA ($6,800): The Ducks got a little help from the refs but Gibson stole a game for the Ducks against the Canucks, and he's been brilliant for most of the season. The Kraken defense can be tough to penetrate but the Ducks have a huge advantage in net. Philipp Grubauer has been the league's second-worst goalie based on naturalstattrick.com's goals saved above average model.
VALUE PLAYS
J.T. Compher, COL vs. VAN ($5,300): Compher moves on to the top line with MacKinnon out of the lineup. He's a speedy, two-way player who has filled in admirably whenever there's been an injury in the top six. He's already got nine points in 10 games this season and playing with Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog should boost his scoring rates.
Kasperi Kapanen, PIT vs. FLA ($4,200): Hopefully, Kapanen's hat trick is a sign things are starting to turn, improving his shooting percentage to 9.7 percent but still below his career average of 11.6 percent. Sergei Bobrovsky's status is questionable, and Spencer Knight has been getting exposed a little bit with 16 goals allowed in his past four appearances. Kapanen's offensive production has been minimal but he's been excellent at getting shots on net.
Arthur Kaliyev, LA at OTT ($4,100): Kaliyev's the guy if you're looking for some easy goals. The Kings' rookie sharpshooter has scored three goals in his past five games and has also registered a shot in every game this season, with additional upside playing on the second PP unit. The price is a little steep because Kaliyev can be so boom-or-bust, but the Sens are thin on defense and lack quality goaltending.
Alex Newhook, COL vs. VAN ($3,700): Newhook will play in just his second game of the season after playing in the season opener then getting sent down to the AHL right after. He's slated to center the third line with Tyson Jost and Logan O'Connor after getting called up Tuesday, and he's expected to play on the second PP unit. The Canucks PK is the second-worst in the league.
Connor McMichael, WSH at DET ($3,600): His minutes remain limited, but McMichael is putting together a small three-game point streak with three points, six shots and two blocked shots.
Zach Sanford, OTT vs. LA ($3,400): Sanford scored his first goal Tuesday against the Bruins, whose role has increased after being moved to the top line with Josh Norris and Brady Tkachuk. Both Sanford and rookie Egor Sokolov ($3,000) play on the second PP unit, and the Kings PK ranks 27th in the league.
LINE STACKS
Panthers at Penguins
Aleksander Barkov (C - $8,500), Carter Verhaeghe (W - $4,900), Anthony Duclair (W – $6,200)
The gem on this line is Verhaeghe, who is priced like a middle-six winger but has been scoring like an elite player with six points in five games. The Panthers had shuffled their lines early in the season but have gone back to this line from last season. They represent three of the five Panthers forwards who have already reached double-digits in points.
Canucks at Avalanche
Elias Pettersson (C - $6,600), J.T. Miller (W - $7,100), Brock Boeser (W - $6,800)
Miller kicked off the comeback against the Ducks and Pettersson ended up scoring the game-tying goal while Boeser has been one of the best Canucks this season. The Lotto Line is back and the pucks are starting to go in. They combined for four points in their last game and all play integral roles on their top power play. With so many options for line stacks, this is one of the better bangs for your buck.
DEFENSEMEN
Quinn Hughes, VAN at COL ($6,400): Hughes has been nearly unstoppable, scoring five points in his past two games. The Canucks lean on him a lot, especially on the power play, and his upside is as good as anyone's for Thursday's slate.
Kris Letang, PIT vs. FLA ($6,200): By the same token, Letang plays big minutes for the Pens, averaging over 28 minutes in his past four games. He'll have his hands full again against the Panthers. Letang has six points and 19 shots in seven games this season.
Jamie Drysdale, ANH at SEA ($4,100): The Kraken's goaltending has been atrocious, and Drysdale is really good at generating offense and getting pucks on net. Only Cam Fowler has more shots on goal than Drysdale among Ducks defensemen, but Drysdale definitely has more offensive upside.
Ryan Merkley, SJ at WPG ($3,700): Merkley is playing third-pairing minutes at even strength but nearly all of his fantasy value will come from the power play anyway. The talented offensive defenseman has been playing on a unit with Tomas Hertl and will continue to do so as long as Erik Karlsson remains unavailable. The Jets have the worst penalty kill in the league.
