This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
If you love hockey, Thursday is the day for you. There are 12 games on the NHL slate, and here are some recommendations…
GOALIE
Jacob Markstrom, VAN vs. ARI ($8,200): Markstrom's last start went poorly, but over his last 11 outings, he has a 2.00 GAA and .933 save percentage. Don't be surprised if he stays hot in this matchup. The Coyotes have only managed 2.52 goals per game, and are now without Nick Schmaltz.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS vs. OTT ($6,300): The Kings have the league's worst offense, but Kopitar is still getting his numbers. He has a point in 11 of his last 14 games, giving him 29 on the season. He also has luck on his side, as there is no better matchup imaginable. The Senators had a 4.79 GAA on the road heading into Wednesday, and are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back Thursday.
Nico Hischier, NJD vs. TOR ($5,600): In his second season, Hischier is still getting favorable positioning on the ice. The first-overall pick from 2017 has started 56.8 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, most among Devils forwards. That's helped him notch 29 points in 38 games. Due to injuries in net, Michael Hutchinson will be starting this one for the Maple Leafs. He has an .878 save percentage in seven games this season.
WING
Alexander Radulov, DAL at PHI ($6,700): Radulov has a four-game point streak, and he has a power-play point in each of those contests. That run of play has given the Russian 39 points in 34 contests. As for the Flyers, they have a 3.63 GAA, which is second highest in the NHL.
Alex Tuch, VGK vs. SAN ($5,800): A four-game point streak is good, but seven games is better, and that's what Tuch has going for him. The 22-year-old already has 34 points in 38 games in his sophomore season. San Jose has not looked good on the road defensively. It has a 3.55 GAA in away games, eighth highest in the NHL.
Josh Bailey, NYI at NYR ($5,800): Bailey has started 58.7 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, third highest on the Islanders. He's also averaged 2:55 per game on the power play, notching 10 points with the extra man. That comes after he had a whopping 31 power-play points last season. Since the Rangers have the 27th-ranked penalty kill, Bailey's skill on the man advantage could come into play.
DEFENSE
Drew Doughty, LOS vs. OTT ($5,800): Doughty got off to a slow start, but he has eight points in his last 11 contests. He's also found success on the power play, as 12 of his 25 points have come with the extra man. The Senators, who are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, have the league's worst penalty kill, which bodes well for Doughty.
Darnell Nurse, EDM vs. FLA ($4,500): Nurse has been an entirely different player since he stepped into Oscar Klefbom's minutes. He's tallied 14 points in his last 16 games, including five with the extra man. The Panthers have a 3.51 GAA, fourth highest in the NHL, but they've been even worse on the road. Florida has a 3.82 GAA in away games.
