FanDuel NHL: Thursday Targets

FanDuel NHL: Thursday Targets

This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.

SLATE PREVIEW

Two games. Two shutouts. Anton Khudobin stole the show in Game 1, though you could argue Marc-Andre Fleury did the same. Fleury took a seat in Game 2 while Lehner starred with a 24-save shutout -- his fourth of the postseason. With just four total goals scored so far in this series, fantasy scoring has been in a rut, but the floodgates could open at any minute. It's fair to err on the side of high-floor plays until then, but don't be afraid to take some risks, as that's the only way to fantasy glory.

GOALIES

FanDuel doesn't use goalies for single-game slates. It's unclear who will start for the Golden Knights, as Fleury and Lehner allowed one goal combined through the first two games, but Khudobin appears locked in as the Stars' starting netminder with a .942 save percentage in this series. 

VALUE PLAYS/ONE-OFFS

Tyler Seguin, DAL vs. VGK ($12,000): Seguin is more of a one-off rather than a value play, but he's part of the high-floor options I alluded to in the preview. Despite tending to a wrist injury, the center has fired at least three shots on goal in three straight games. He's on a lengthy pointless streak, too, meaning he could be a low-rostered player perfect for DFS tournaments. 

Chandler Stephenson, VGK vs. DAL ($8,000): Stephenson is centering Mark Stone -- who is a nuisance for opponents but a luxury to have on your line. Stone is a playmaker through and through, and he's just waiting to erupt after four straight pointless games. If he does, his center, Stephenson, will be on his side.

LINE STACKS

Golden Knights vs. Stars

C - Paul Stastny ($9,000)
W - Max Pacioretty ($15,500)
W - Nicolas Roy ($7,000)

The Golden Knights mixed up the lines after getting blanked in Game 1, and the gamble paid off, especially with this unit. They combined for four points and eight shots on net in what was essentially a second-line role with some power-play minutes added. They come through at a solid value, too, with an average of $10,500 each, so you can still spend up elsewhere when necessary.

DEFENSEMEN

Shea Theodore, VGK vs. DAL ($12,500): Theodore's shot volume, also known as his ultra-safety net, has cooled off against Dallas with just four combined shots over two games, but his consistency dates back to the regular season, so he should rebound soon. He's on the power play with Pacioretty but not Stastny, so he's a decent stack to go with the aforementioned Golden Knights' line. 

John Klingberg, DAL vs. VGK ($9,500): Since you're only picking five players, you need to differentiate your team to secure the big prizes. Klingberg can accomplish that, and he has the upside to back it up. He's notched a point in three of the last six games, and two of those were multi-point affairs. Considering he continues to clock major minutes on the blue line at even strength and the power play, his opportunities will continue to flow. 

Nate Schmidt, VGK vs. DAL ($8,000): Schmidt's an intriguing play a similar reason as Klingberg, as he flies under the radar with Theodore and Alec Martinez on the same blue line. And although he has just two points in six games, Schmidt has fired 22 shots on net and blocked 11 shots in that stretch, affording him a solid floor to go with massive upside.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Jordan Mazzara plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: Mazz30 Yahoo: Mazz30 DraftKings: Mazz30.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jordan Mazzara
Jordan has produced NFL and NHL content for RotoWire since 2017. He's the beat writer for the St. Louis Blues and Seattle Seahawks.
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