This article is part of our FantasyDraft NHL series.
It's a pretty light day for the NHL with only four games on the slate. Consider it a bit of a respite as we head down the stretch toward the end of the regular season. However, don't forget about daily fantasy hockey. Here are some recommendations for your lineup.
GOALIE
Colorado Avalanche, COL vs. PHI ($17,100) The Avalanche are 26-10-2 at home, and they will be catching the Flyers on the road for the second night of a back-to-back. Philadelphia's offense has been decent, but playing on zero days of rest certainly won't help. Colorado has a 2.47 GAA at home and also has the third-ranked penalty kill. Plus, likely starter Semyon Varlamov has a 2.06 GAA and .943 save percentage in his last nine outings.
CENTER
Nicklas Backstrom, WAS vs. NYR ($13,200): Backstrom has six assists in his last two games, giving him 44 helpers on the season. The Swede has also averaged 3:29 per game with the extra man and tallied 24 power-play points. Meanwhile, the Rangers have struggled defensive since the All-Star break. In that time they have a 3.58 GAA, third highest in the NHL, and have allowed 37.5 shots on net per contest.
Nazem Kadri, TOR vs. FLA ($11,400): Kadri has scored a goal in back-to-back games, giving him 30 on the season for the second year in a row. In his last 13 contests he's notched nine goals on 44 shots. The Panthers have a 3.05 GAA on the road, but they've also allowed 34.5 shots on net per game. That means Kadri should be able to put a few pucks on net in this one.
WING
Jonathan Huberdeau, FLA at TOR ($12,400): Huberdeau has averaged 12.91 fantasy points per game thanks to 65 points in 74 games, 18 of which have come on the power play. The Maple Leafs have a 2.82 GAA and have allowed 33.9 shots on net per contest. That GAA isn't bad, but things have not gone as well for them recently. Over his last 19 games Frederik Andersen has a 3.29 GAA and .907 save percentage.
Gabriel Landeskog, COL vs. PHI ($11,700): Landeskog has eight points in his last seven games, giving him 57 points overall. With their top two goalies out, the Flyers had a 3.69 GAA in March prior to allowing three goals Tuesday. Philadelphia has also struggled on the penalty kill, as they rank 27th in the NHL in that regard. Landeskog has averaged 3:36 per game on the power play, so he could certainly take advantage of that.
Chris Kreider, NYR at WAS ($10,400): Kreider has six points in his last 10 games, and since returning from a lengthy injury he has 14 points in 15 contests, including five on the power play. With Philipp Grubauer banged up the Capitals are turning back to Braden Holtby in net. In past seasons that wouldn't be a concern, but this year Holtby has a 3.03 GAA and .906 save percentage.
DEFENSE
Erik Johnson, COL vs. PHI ($10,900): Since returning from injury, Johnson has two goals and 13 shots on net in five games. Overall he's put 166 shots on goal in 61 contests, a strong number for a defenseman. With the Flyers on the second night of a back-to-back, 25-year-old rookie Alex Lyon (.905 save percentage) will likely be in goal. Though the 30-year-old defenseman may not get a ton of power-play time against Philadelphia's poor penalty kill, the fact he's blocked 133 shots is a good sign for his fantasy potential.
Matt Niskanen, WAS vs. NYR ($7,600): Niskanen has picked up his offense a bit recently, tallying five points in his last nine games. As previously mentioned, the Rangers have a 3.58 GAA since the All-Star break and have allowed 37.5 shots on net per contest. However, don't overlook New York's road woes as well. Away from home it has a 3.39 GAA and have given up 37.6 shots on net per game.
