Mike Babcock has paid the price in Toronto. It’s panic mode down the road in Buffalo. Dallas has run off to an 8-1-1 streak that puts them back in a Wild Card spot. Can Arizona hold their playoff position? As we inch towards American Thanksgiving, things are starting to shape up. Let’s take a look at another busy Thursday night in NHL DFS.

Center

Auston Matthews (TOR): $7,900 @ ARI
This one just writes itself, doesn’t it? Matthews is returning to his hometown in Arizona. The Maple Leafs have fired Mike Babcock. Seems like a good recipe to me.

One major change I expect Sheldon Keefe makes will be to Matthews’ minutes. Babcock was often criticized for not allowing him to skate upwards of 22 minutes a night. This should change.

Kyle Dubas has now used his one hammer in firing the coach. The players must realize it’s now or never for this season. That starts with Matthews. Not to mention, he has 14 goals and 27 points in 23 games as it is.

Pierre-Luc Dubois (CBJ): $5,800 vs. DET
Dubois was selected third overall in the 2016 draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his rookie season, he tallied 48 points and followed that up with 61 the next year. This season, he has 15 points in 20 games. In his last two games, he has three goals and four points.

The talent is there for Dubois to become a star in this league. He centers the top line along with the top power-play unit. Enter the Detroit Red Wings, who are giving up the most goals in the league with 3.7 per game. I really like Dubois in this spot.

Wing

Andre Burakovsky (COL): $5,000 @ MIN
It has been well documented that the Colorado Avalanche have been decimated by injuries. Nathan MacKinnon has lost both of his wingers in Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog. The positive thing is that between MacKinnon’s utter dominance and the impressive contributions of replacements Andre Burakovsky and Joonas Donskoi, this line has not missed a beat.

Burakovsky has scored in three straight games, with six points over that span. He is solidified on the top power-play unit and he should chip in with shots on goal as well. Minnesota surrenders 3.33 goals per game, so expect the Avalanche to get on the board with involvement from the top line.

Defense

Matt Grzelcyk (BOS): $4,600 vs. BUF
When Torey Krug went out, it was Matt Grzelcyk that was promoted into the top power-play unit. It took a little time, but now it looks like he’s ready to flourish. He has three points in his previous three games, chipping in with several shots and blocks as well. He’s coming off his first two-goal performance of his career and is averaging over 20 minutes a night, so I anticipate him to stay hot against Buffalo tonight. Torey Krug looks to return on Saturday.

Nate Schmidt (VGK): $5,600 vs. SJS
Schmidt got a late start to this season due to injury. Since returning, he has chipped in eight points in 11 games, including a four-point night against the Flames on Sunday. You can count on Schmidt to shoot the puck and block shots. He is playing well over 20 minutes a night and is quarterbacking the top power-play unit.

The Sharks come to town surrendering the fifth-most goals per game in the league with 3.55. Vegas is starting to turn it up, and I expect Schmidt to be involved tonight against the Sharks.

Goalie

Joonas Korpisalo (CBJ): $7,800 vs. DET
Korpisalo has played well of late, with a .922 SV% and 2.3 GAA in the month of November. He has won three of his last four. The Red Wings are in town and the Blue Jackets are heavily favored at -175. The under is juiced at u6 -120, so it’s not expected to be a high scoring affair. Of the “bargain” options, I think Korpisalo is the best bet.

Chris Genova is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Chris, check out his archive and follow him @FantasyOneTimer.