This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
GOALIE
Mike Smith, CGY at NYR ($8,200): Smith is a pretty safe bet to pick up his third consecutive win in a good matchup on the road. The Rangers have lost four straight games and are 3-7 in their last 10 games. The 35-year-old netminder has 22 wins this season, seventh in the league, and a 2.50 goals against average with a .922 save percentage. Smith has a safe floor and shutout-upside as the Rangers have scored just four goals over their last five games.
CENTER
Mikael Backlund, CGY at NYR ($5,800): Backlund comes into a juicy matchup against the Rangers with a goal, two assists and 14 shots on goal in his last four games. New York has allowed the most fantasy points in the last four weeks to centers, including 22 goals and 26 assists over the 12 game stretch. Calgary has scored 14 goals in its last four games and should keep the tallies coming against the Rangers, who have lost four in a row allowing 17 goals over that span.
Mathew Barzal, NYI vs DET ($6,000): Barzal is going through a tough stretch with just two points in his last five games, but this matchup against the Red Wings could get him going again. The last four weeks, the Red Wings have allowed 16 goals and 14 assists in 11 games. The Islanders average 3.30 goals per game, third most in the league this season. The rookie averages 17:24 of ice time per game with 3:09 per game on the power play. His success on the man advantage has been a bonus for the Islanders as the 20-year-old has 15 points – four goals – on the power play.
WING
Micheal Ferland, CGY at NYR ($5,400): The Rangers' recent struggles are well documented, and Ferland, who is benefitting from skating on the Flames' top line with Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau, has a point in four consecutive games. The 25-year-old Manitoba native averages 5.6 high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, 13th in the league among wingers. Grabbing a piece of Calgary's top line is nice in a good matchup and Ferland has been the beneficiary lately.
Cam Atkinson, CBJ at WAS ($5,900): Atkinson has a point in four of his last five games with 23 shots on goal over that span. The shifty winger averages 5.83 high danger scoring chances per 60 minutes, the fifth-highest mark among right wingers in the league. Atkinson won't be a popular play, but he's in a good spot against the Capitals, who have allowed 10 goals to right wingers in their last nine games.
Corey Perry, ANH vs EDM ($5,500): The veteran has had a tough season overall but lately he's come on and been moved up to the first line. During his three-game point streak, Perry has two goals and four assists. He faces a familiar foe in Edmonton, against which he has a point in each of his last four games with a goal and five assists.
DEFENSE
T.J. Brodie, CGY at NYR ($4,500): You could easily go with Mark Giordano or Dougie Hamilton in this spot, but if electing to go the value route, consider Brodie. The Rangers have allowed the most fantasy points to defensemen in the last four weeks and it's not even close. Nine goals and 33 assists are part of that production leading Brodie to skate into a great spot. The Ontario native has six points, all assists, during his four-game point streak.
Oscar Klefbom, EDM at ANH ($5,100): Klefbom and the Oilers are starting to come around offensively, which isn't much of a surprise with the talent they have. They've scored 15 goals in their last four games and take on an Anaheim team that has allowed 15 goals in its last three games. The young Swede has two points in his last three games with an average of four shots on goal per game over that span. The Ducks have allowed the sixth-most fantasy points to defensemen over the last four weeks with six goals and 18 assists surrendered to the position.
