This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Goalie
Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. DET ($8,200): The Jets' net minder has been dreadful in two of his last three starts, suggesting that a bounce back effort is due and it should come tonight at home against the lowly Red Wings. Detroit, scoring just 2.57 GPG, has to take on one of the best home teams in the league, as Winnipeg is 23-7-2 at home. One thing of note about Hellebuyck is that he'll be a popular play on Friday's slate, but he's a safe option.
Center
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. MTL ($6,600): The rookie standout continues to impress, as he's up to 67 points — 18 goals — with 19 points on the power play. Over his current four-game point streak, the 20-year-old pivot has netted two goals and handed out three assists, including one goal against Montreal on Wednesday. The tally was his second in two games against the Canadiens this season to go along with two assists. Montreal has a team GAA of 3.02, while the Islanders average 3.20 GPG.
Mikael Backlund, CGY vs. NYR ($5,200): Over the last month, a 14-game span, the Rangers have allowed the most fantasy points to center with 62 points — 27 goals — surrendered. Backlund has netted two goals and dished off three assists in his last three games and is a skater who sees more than 18 minutes of ice time per game in multiple situations. Of his 28 points, 11 have come on the power play, with three additional points coming shorthanded.
Wing
Nick Bjugstad, FLA vs. BUF ($4,700): Skating on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Evgenii Dadonov, Bjugstad has recorded three points in his last four games and should continue that trend on Friday against the Sabres. Buffalo has a GAA of 3.22 while Florida has won four straight while scoring 15 goals over that span.
Reilly Smith, VGK vs. OTT ($6,500): Home to one of the best teams in the NHL, Vegas boasts a 24-6-2 record on home ice and should score at will against Ottawa. The Golden Knights have gotten contributions from a lot of skaters, but Reilly Smith sticks out as a good bargain, skating on the dynamic top line with William Karlsson and Jonathan Marchessault. Smith is riding a four-game point streak, scoring two goals and adding four assists over that span. Of his 21 goals, seven have come on the power play, which could increase on Friday against Ottawa's 28th-ranked penalty kill.
Jeff Skinner, CAR vs. NJ ($5,900): Skinner and the Hurricanes host the Devils on Friday, a team that the 25-year-old winger has victimized regularly over his career. In 29 games against New Jersey, the sniper has 13 goals, including a goal in his last three games against them. The Ontario native averages 5.66 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (14th in the NHL) and 11.87 shots on goal per 60 minutes (fifth).
Defense
Mark Giordano, CGY vs. NYR ($5,800): Giordano has gone scoreless in his last two outings, but prior to that he had been on fire. Since Feb. 13, a nine-game span, Giordano has one goal, six assists and 27 SOG. The Rangers have struggled against defensemen, especially over their last 13 games, as they've allowed 33 points — 10 goals — to blue liners over that stretch.
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. BUF ($5,100): Yandle has been an assist machine of late. The veteran has seven helpers over his last eight outings, however, that's not to say that he hasn't been searching for the back of the net. Over the eight-game stretch, Yandle has fired 20 shots on goal and is due to bury one. With Florida expected to light the lamp quite a bit, look for Yandle to find the back of the net as he did on Jan. 1 against these Sabres.
