This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Can you believe it's already November? The NHL season is truly in full swing now. Though the sample size is still a little small, we can start looking at this season's stats with a little more confidence. There are 12 games Thursday night — here are my recommendations to try and get the new month off on the right foot.
GOALIE
Henrik Lundqvist, NYR at ANA ($7,700): Lundqvist is past his prime, but he does have a .917 save percentage. That's not great, but it's adequate, and now he gets a matchup with a Ducks team whose offense could charitably be called "punchless." Anaheim has only scored 2.38 goals per game, and it also has averaged a league-low 24.5 shots on net per contest.
CENTER
Jeff Carter, LOS vs. PHI ($5,800): The Kings have struggled to score to start the year, but Carter should turn it around in time. He's scored at least 24 goals in every full season he's played in Los Angeles. Though he only has two goals this year, his 6.7 shooting percentage is bound to improve. A matchup with a Flyers team that has a .860 save percentage could certainly help.
Brock Nelson, NYI vs. PIT ($4,800): So far, Nelson has been the main beneficiary of John Tavares' departure. He's currently the center for the Islanders' top line, and he's played more than three minutes more per game. Those added minutes have paid off to the tune of six goals and an assist through 11 games. The Penguins, meanwhile, have a 3.10 GAA, owing mostly to the fact that starter Matt Murray has a 3.76 GAA and .893 save percentage.
WING
Jeff Skinner, BUF at OTT ($6,500): The Sabres have made things easy for Skinner, as he's started 71.2 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the team. It's paid off, as he has six goals and six assists through 12 contests. Now he gets to take on a Senators team that has allowed a whopping 37.6 shots on net per game.
Patric Hornqvist, PIT at NYI ($6,100): Playing on the third line hasn't slowed Hornqvist down. Over his last four games he's notched five points and 15 shots on net. The Islanders' start to the season defensively is the one I'm most skeptical about. After all, last year they ranked last in the league in GAA, penalty kill, and shots on net per game. Even this year, they've given up 34.1 shots on net per contest, putting a lot of onus on their goalies.
Tobias Rieder, EDM vs. CHI ($3,600): In his first year with the Oilers, Rieder has gotten off to a solid start. He has five points, all assists, but he's also put 19 shots on net. His shooting percentage won't be zero all season. The Blackhawks are the one team on the road for the second game of a back-to-back Thursday. Corey Crawford started last night, so Cam Ward (3.92 GAA, .889 save percentage) will likely be in net.
DEFENSE
Shea Theodore, VGK at STL ($4,300): Theodore has only three points through 12 games, but he's put 35 shots on net. That's second highest on the Golden Knights and a healthy number for a defenseman. The Blues have a 3.90 GAA and .873 save percentage, and Jake Allen had a .906 save percentage last season.
Will Butcher, NJD at DET ($3,900): Butcher was a power-play machine last year, as he had 23 points with the extra man. This year he has five assists in nine games, and they've all come on the power play. The Wings have a 3.75 GAA, fifth highest in the NHL, and have allowed 34.5 shots on goal per game as well.
