FanDuel NHL: Friday Targets

FanDuel NHL: Friday Targets

This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.

SLATE PREVIEW

The Flames, Sharks and Devils will all be on the second half of back-to-backs and they'll be tough matchups, so perhaps just stick to the elite players such as Elias Lindholm if possible.

Otherwise, there will be plenty of opportunities in the Vegas-Arizona and Edmonton-Seattle matchups as they should feature more goals. The Golden Knights have scored five in three of their last six games, and should earn a win barring another miracle goaltending performance. The Oilers have, well, Connor McDavid, and the Kraken goaltending hasn't been that great.  

GOALIES

Igor Shesterkin, NYR vs. SJ ($8,500): Arguably no goalie in the league has been better than Shesterkin, who's made six straight appearances allowing no more than two goals. The Rangers, analytically-speaking, don't rate as a great team, but Shesterkin keeps them in most games and they usually provide enough goal support. The Sharks only mustered two tallies against a shorthanded Isles squad last night and rank 23rd in GF/GP.

Mikko Koskinen, EDM at SEA ($8,000): Koskinen is good again? Just when we thought Stuart Skinner could take the No. 1 job, the veteran backup responded with three straight wins - two against tough teams only giving up a combined four goals. The Kraken are missing key top-six forwards Jordan Eberle and Jaden Schwartz. Even on a subpar night, Koskinen should get enough support to notch the W.

Robin Lehner, VGK at ARI ($7,900): Lehner hasn't been at his best this season. However, the Golden Knights carry the edge in virtually every single category. And other than an otherworldly netminding effort, nothing can really save the Coyotes.

Connor Hellebuyck, WPG vs. NJ ($7,500): It's not exactly Hellebuyck's fault as only one team scored more than two goals against him in November, but the Jets' offense has suddenly dried up and that's the biggest worry. Perhaps Winnipeg will have an easier time putting the puck in the net with the Devils playing back-to-back after allowing five goals to the Wild.

VALUE PLAYS

Kaapo Kakko, NYR vs. SJ ($4,100): Kakko has been excellent all year, but the numbers are just starting to roll in with three goals in four games last week and another three assists over his last three. He's also skating on the first line with Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider.

Sam Steel, ANH vs. CGY ($3,700): Steel registered an assist taking Ryan Getzlaf's spot on the top trio and the Ducks won, which means he'll likely stay there even though he logged a little over 13 minutes. The Flames are tough but the last time they played in October, it was Trevor Zegras' line who drew Elias Lindholm's group and that shields Steel from the toughest matchup.

LINE STACKS

Golden Knights at Coyotes

Chandler Stephenson (C - $5,300), Mark Stone (W - $7,500), Max Pacioretty (W - $8,200)

Pacioretty hasn't lost a step with a goal and three assists since returning. Stone has matched Pacioretty's production and Stephenson remains an excellent value play as the No. 1 center and has surprisingly maintained a point-per-game scoring pace.

DEFENSEMEN

Adam Fox, NYR vs. SJ ($7,000): Fox deserves a little more attention because he faces one of the better matchups among elite defensemen. Dougie Hamilton has to shoot on Hellebuyck and neither Alex Pietrangelo nor Shea Theodore are playing their best. Fox is riding a four-game point streak that includes six assists.

Tyson Barrie, EDM at SEA ($5,600): With three rookie D in the lineup, the Oilers have relied on Barrie far more than usual and he saw over 26 minutes last time out. He's been quiet all season and hasn't been able to replicate the success from last year even though the Oilers' power play has arguably been their biggest driver of success. Maybe more playing time will help Barrie turn it around. He comes in having scored in three straight along with five points across five contests.  

Erik Karlsson, SJ at NYR ($4,900): Karlsson has recorded two goals and three assists in his past five outings while playing OT hero last night. He still isn't the superstar he used to be, but 13 points in 17 games is about as good as he's done since moving to the Bay Area. The Rangers like swapping scoring chances with the opposition, which happens to cater to Karlsson's skillset as an offensive defenseman.

Evan Bouchard, EDM at SEA ($4,400): Bouchard's a solid value play and one of the Oilers blueliners logging more minutes than usual due to injury. He doesn't offer the same name recognition as Barrie, but the upside is similar since they both get coverage to McDavid and Leon Draisaitl who often stay on the ice for the entire power play.

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.
RotoWire Community
Join Our Subscriber-Only NHL Chat
Chat with our writers and other RotoWire NHL fans for all the pre-game info and in-game banter.
Join The Discussion
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jason Chen
Jason won the 2021 FSWA Hockey Writer of the Year award, and was also a finalist on 2019. He joined RotoWire in 2013. Jason has also written for Yahoo Sports, CBS Sports, The Hockey News, The Hockey Hall of Fame's Legends Magazine, and Centre Ice Magazine.
Stanley Cup Playoffs: NHL Playoff Pool Cheat Sheet
Stanley Cup Playoffs: NHL Playoff Pool Cheat Sheet
NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18
NHL Parlay Picks for Thursday, April 18
FanDuel NHL: Thursday Picks
FanDuel NHL: Thursday Picks
NHL Picks Tonight: Best NHL Bets and Player Props for April 18, 2024
NHL Picks Tonight: Best NHL Bets and Player Props for April 18, 2024
DraftKings NHL: Thursday Breakdown
DraftKings NHL: Thursday Breakdown
NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17
NHL DFS Picks: FanDuel Plays and Strategy for Wednesday, April 17