This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
We are many years removed from Rebecca Black's "Friday," but there's still plenty to get excited about for the end of the traditional work week. For example, four NHL games on the slate. Also, daily fantasy hockey. On that front, here are my recommendations for your lineup.
GOALIE
Braden Holtby, WAS vs. NJD ($8,900): Holtby's numbers aren't great this season, but these are two teams heading in opposite directions. The Capitals have won five in the row, while the Devils have lost four straight. Plus, New Jersey is 8-21-3 on the road. Holtby has a great chance to get a win and that gives him enough of a boost for me.
CENTER
Sebastian Aho, CAR vs. WPG ($7,700): Aho has been an absolute stud this year, and if he played in a bigger market he would be emerging as a star in this league. He's notched 75 points in 66 games, and he's tallied at least one point in 10 of his last 11 contests. Meanwhile, the Jets have a 3.67 GAA since the All-Star break, and they've allowed a whopping 37.4 shots on net per game in that time.
Eric Staal, MIN at FLA ($6,400): Speaking of hot centers, Staal has an eight-game point streak. Though the Wild are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, so are the Panthers. Florida also has a 3.35 GAA, bottom five in the NHL, and have been without backup goalie James Reimer for a little while.
WING
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. MON ($5,700): It's been a rough season for Rakell, who has a 6.7 shooting percentage. However, things have been slightly better recently, as he has a point in each of his last three games. Though the Canadiens will likely be starting Carey Price in net for this one, they are also on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. That's worth something.
Jakub Vrana, WAS vs. NJD ($5,000): Vrana isn't one of the big names on the Capitals, but he's proving to be a strong secondary scoring option. Through 67 games, he has 19 goals and 41 points, even though he doesn't play much on the penalty kill. He doesn't need power-play time in this matchup, though, as the Devils have a 3.91 road GAA.
Carl Hagelin, WAS vs. NJD ($3,500): Given that the Devils have a 3.91 road GAA, it makes sense to want more than one Capital in your lineup. Since joining up with Washington, Hagelin has started 63.3 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone. He also has a point in each of his last two games, so perhaps he's finding his footing.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. MIN ($5,800): Yandle has 54 points in 68 games, but he's been a true weapon on the power play. He's registered a hearty 34 points with the extra man. Though the Wild have the 17th-ranked penalty kill, which is obviously middle-of-the-pack, they are also on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, which won't help on the penalty-killing front.
Dougie Hamilton, CAR vs. WPG ($5,400): Hamilton isn't shy about putting pucks on net. He's tallied 204 shots in 66 games, notching 12 goals in the process. As previously noted, the Jets have given up 37.4 shots on goal per contest since the All-Star break. It could be a busy night for Hamilton, which could bode well for you.
