This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, but if you aren't getting a head start on the celebration, take some time to enjoy Friday's six NHL games. Here are some recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup to end the work week.
GOALIE
Anaheim Ducks, ANA vs. DET ($17,300): The Ducks seem like a pretty obvious choice Friday. After all, they are at home against a Red Wings team on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. On top of that, the Wings have only scored 2.55 goals per contest. It doesn't even really matter who is in the net for Anaheim in this matchup, considering they have a .922 save percentage as a team.
CENTER
Erik Haula, VGK vs. MIN ($11,900): Over his last five games Haula has four goals and 19 shots on net. On the season he has 27 goals in 65 games, including 11 on the power play. The road has not been kind to the Wild this year. They have a league-high 3.56 GAA in away games.
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. NYI ($11,400): The Capitals and Islanders are on the second leg of a home-and-home Friday, but it's the Caps that get to host this one after scoring seven Thursday. That only adds to the fact the Islanders have a league-high 3.51 GAA. Backstrom, meanwhile, has 54 points in 69 games, including 20 on the power play. New York also happens to have the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
WING
Alexander Radulov, DAL at OTT ($13,800): Radulov has started 57.1 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second-highest on the Stars. That's paid off to the tune of 61 points in 71 games, including eight points in his last 11 contests. The Senators have a 3.38 GAA, second-highest in the NHL, and they also have the 27th-ranked penalty kill.
Kevin Fiala, NAS at COL ($10,800): Fiala has seven points, including five goals, and 33 shots in his last 10 contests. He's also started a whopping 62.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second-highest on Nashville. The Avalanche are playing their second game in as many nights, and since Jonathan Bernier is out that complicates matters for them. Either Semyon Varlamov will have to start the second night of a back-to-back or fourth-stringer Spencer Martin will be in goal.
David Perron, VGK vs. MIN ($10,700): Perron has a three-game point streak and has tallied six points in his last six contests. As previously noted, the Wild have a 3.56 GAA in road games, which is bottom of the barrel in the NHL. They also have the 28th-ranked penalty kill away from home. Perron, for his part, has 17 power-play points in 64 games.
DEFENSEMEN
Ryan Ellis, NAS at COL ($12,100): Ellis has played some great hockey since returning from an injury absence. He's played in 32 games and tallied 24 points. Zooming in a bit, over his last 13 contests he has 15 points and 40 shots on net. The Avalanche are on the second day of a back-to-back and they have a league-worst 3.89 GAA on zero days of rest. With Colorado's goalie situation, the matchup looks even better.
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. DET ($10,500): Fowler hasn't scored in a few games, but he does have four points and 21 shots over his last eight contests. Overall, he has eight goals and 21 assists in 59 games. There's a good chance Fowler will get back on the scoresheet in this one. The Red Wings are on the second night of a back-to-back, and likely starter Jimmy Howard has a 3.24 GAA and a .898 save percentage over his last 18 outings.
