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FanDuel NHL Lineup Advice: Thursday (1/17)

FanDuel NHL Lineup Advice: Thursday (1/17)

Happy Thursday, everyone. The weekend is almost here, but before that, there are seven NHL games on tonight’s schedule, and some good ones, too! Highlighting the slate are the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs in a battle of blue and white. Over in the Western Conference, the Jets are paying a visit to Nashville to take on the Predators. Here are a few players to consider when putting in your Fanduel lineup for tonight:

Center

Jonathan Toews (CHI): $7,300 @ NYR
The Rangers and Blackhawks are two of the league’s worst teams in terms of goals against, so this could be a matchup to exploit. Toews has 10 points over his last 11 games and continues to perform at just under a point-per-game pace. The Rangers are a little better at home, but I like Toews’ chances at getting a point or two tonight.

Nick Bonino (NSH): $4,500 vs. WPG
Here is a money-saving option and a player who is coming off a two-goal performance. He’s been inconsistent for most of the season but has chipped in more frequently lately. Don’t expect much from him as a goal or an assist would be enough for the price. He’ll allow you to spend more of your salary elsewhere.

Wing

Patrick Kane (CHI): $8,700 @ NYR
I mentioned this could be a high-scoring game, which is why I’m putting Kane and Toews in my lineup. Kane has been on a tear lately with 13 points in the last five games, and that’s enough to warrant a selection already. He had nine shots last game and has racked up at least 22 fantasy points in each of the past five contests. Get him in there against the Rangers.

David Perron (STL): $5,400 @ BOS
Riding a 12-game point streak, Perron is a difficult player to avoid tonight. Only two of those were multi-point performances and his ceiling is limited, but he remains a strong option at $5,400. The Blues are taking on the Bruins, a team that is on the tail end of a back-to-back.

Jason Zucker (MIN): $4,600 vs. ANA
Zucker has not been putting up the type of offensive numbers we saw from him last year. He’s been much quieter and has struggled at times to get those opportunities he had so often last season. Teams have paid more attention to him and we’re seeing the difference. However, he has three points in the last four games (a couple on the power play), and has been shooting the puck more. Tonight, the Wild take on the Ducks, a team that hasn’t won since the middle of December.

Kyle Connor (WPG): $5,900 @ NSH
After snapping a 10-game pointless drought, Kyle Connor is playing more like we’re used to. He has nine points in his last six games, and although he has a tough matchup against Nashville tonight, he’s a relatively safe option.

Defense

Mattias Ekholm (NSH): $5,700 vs. WPG
The Predators’ defenseman comes at a decent price and has been helping out in all kinds of categories, recording at least 20 fantasy points in five of the last six games. Nashville is coming off a seven-goal outburst two nights ago against Washington and now will take on the division-leading Jets. Ekholm has been having a big season and we can expect him to keep piling up the numbers.

Mikhail Sergachev (TB): $4,100 vs. TOR
Sergachev didn’t have more than five points in any calendar month this season, but he already has five in January. Suddenly, his offensive production has picked up and it’s worth taking a chance on while also providing you with salary relief. Sergachev scored nine goals last year and had a 6.4 shooting percentage. Compare that to his two goals and 2.5 shooting percentage this season and perhaps he’s been a little unlucky. Expect those numbers to improve and get him in your lineup tonight.

Goalie

While Andrei Vasilevskiy is the top option once again, I’m going to look elsewhere. Although slowing down a bit, the Maple Leafs have scored 161 goals this season and a divisional battle is something I’d stay away from. 

Robin Lehner (NYI): $8,500 vs. NJ
For a team that had a porous defense in recent years, the Islanders have allowed a league-best 118 goals, and Robin Lehner has played a big role in that. Lehner is 9-1-0 in his last 10 games, and he’s allowed one goal or fewer in six of them. He’ll face a Devils team that has won just five road games all season. Lehner is taking the starting job by force and he should continue his recent dominance tonight.

Tuukka Rask (BOS): $9,000 vs. STL
If you don’t like Lehner as an option and have the room, you can go for Rask, who is looking to bounce back after a loss to the Canadiens. The Bruins went with Halak last night, but fell to the Flyers. Tonight, they’re back at home against a struggling St. Louis team. Rask is a good bet to accumulate at least 30 fantasy points, and probably 40 if Boston can get the win.

Kevin Freiheit is a correspondent at FantasyPros. For more from Kevin, check out his archive or follow him @kmf418.

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