This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
Thursday's pretty busy around the NHL with nine games on the slate. That gives you a bunch of options for your daily fantasy lineup. Here are some of the ones I like best…
GOALIE
Winnipeg Jets, WPG vs. CHI ($17,000): The Jets have a 24-7-2 record at home while the Blackhawks have a 13-17-5 record on the road. Additionally, since the All-Star break, Chicago has only scored 2.48 goals per game. Connor Hellebuyck is very likely to start given that the Jets may be down to their fourth-string goalie for their backup. That's perfectly fine, considering Hellebuyck has a 2.36 GAA and a .925 save percentage.
CENTER
Jeff Carter, LOS vs. DET ($13,600): Carter has been tearing it up after his lengthy injury absence with six goals, two assists, and 34 shots on net through nine games. The Red Wings have a 3.04 GAA overall, but in his last 18 outings, Jimmy Howard has a 3.24 GAA and .898 save percentage.
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs. WAS ($13,100): Barzal has 69 points in 69 games, and he hasn't hit the mythical rookie wall. Over his last 14 games he's tallied 16 points. Plus, he's averaged 3:07 per game with the extra man and notched 20 power-play points this season. On the road, the Capitals have a 3.44 GAA, fourth highest in the NHL.
WING
Artemi Panarin, CLM at PHI ($13,900): Panarin has started 65.5 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, second highest on the Blue Jackets. He's also averaged 2:59 per game on the power play and registered 16 points with the extra man in 70 games. A player with clear power-play acumen always has the potential to take advantage of the Flyers given their 30th-ranked penalty kill.
Nikolaj Ehlers, WPG vs. CHI ($13,200): Ehlers has been enjoying a hot run of play. In his last 15 games, he's notched seven goals, seven assists, and 51 shots on net. The Blackhawks have a 3.40 GAA on the road, but that includes some games played by Corey Crawford. Crawford has been out for a while, so it's also worth noting Chicago has a 3.38 GAA since the All-Star break.
T.J. Oshie, WAS at NYI ($9,400): Sure, Oshie has had some offensive struggles recently, but he still has 15 power-play points in 63 games. Beyond that, if there were ever a matchup for Oshie to get back on track, it's this one. The Islanders have a league-worst 3.51 team GAA and have also allowed 35.9 shots on net per contest. On top of that, they have the 29th-ranked penalty kill.
DEFENSEMEN
Jake Muzzin, LOS vs. DET ($9,500): Muzzin has an assist in three straight games, giving him 32 helpers through 67 contests. He also has put 145 shots on net. The Wings have a 3.18 team GAA on the road and have the 27th-ranked penalty kill in those games, as well. Muzzin has tallied 12 power-play points.
Colton Parayko, STL vs. COL ($9,400): Parayko has three points in his last five games, and overall he's tallied 32 points and 173 shots on goal in 69 contests. The Avalanche are another team that is drastically worse on the road with a a 3.46 team GAA, third-highest in the NHL.
