This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Hopefully you didn't get too festive on St. Patrick's Day, because there's hockey to be watched Monday! We've got four games on the NHL slate, and here are my recommendations for your daily fantasy lineup.
GOALIE
Corey Crawford, CHI vs. VAN ($7,800): Crawford has had a rough couple of years, but right now he's playing some of the best hockey of his career. Over his last four starts, all wins, he has a nearly pristine 0.82 GAA and .975 save percentage. That's not sustainable, but I'm definitely encouraged heading into a matchup with a Canucks team that has only averaged 2.46 goals per game on the road.
CENTER
Anze Kopitar, LOS vs. WPG ($6,000): Kopitar recently ended a scoring drought with a goal and an assist in his last outing. That gives him 50 points in 70 games, not too shabby given how much his teammates have struggled to score. However, few teams have had issues scoring against the Jets recently. They have a 3.40 GAA since the All-Star break.
Joe Thornton, SAN vs. VGK ($5,400): For a 39-year-old, Thornton has been quite impressive. Specifically, he has 13 points over his last 15 games. The Golden Knights are on the road, where they are notably worse defensively, and also on the second day of a back-to-back. Additionally, Marc-Andre Fleury is banged up, so third-string goalie Max Lagace may be in net.
WING
Kyle Connor, WPG at LOS ($6,000): After scoring 31 goals as a rookie last season, Connor has 27 goals in 71 games this year. Now he's facing a Kings team with a 3.57 GAA since the All-Star break. They also have the 29th-ranked penalty kill, and Connor has notched 17 points with the extra man.
Timo Meier, SAN vs. VGK ($5,600): Meier has been red hot, as he has at least one point in seven of his last eight games. He also notched 29 shots on net in those contests. The Golden Knights have a 3.06 GAA on the road, and they also have to deal with being on the second night of a back-to-back.
Brandon Saad, CHI vs. VAN ($5,300): Saad is now skating on Chicago's top line alongside Jonathan Toews, and he also has two goals in his last three contests. That gives him 23 goals in 69 games on the season. Vancouver is another team on the road for the second game of a back-to-back. That could mean rookie Thatcher Demko in net, and he's only played five NHL games in his career.
DEFENSE
Drew Doughty, LOS vs. WPG ($5,300): Doughty has seven points in his last eight games. They are all assists, but that's still impressive. He also has 21 points with the extra man. Meanwhile, the Jets have the 23rd-ranked penalty kill, which bodes well for the Norris-winning defenseman.
Jacob Trouba, WPG at LOS ($5,200): Trouba is another defenseman who has had success with the extra man. He's notched 14 points with the extra man, and as previously noted the Kings have the 29th-ranked penalty kill. On top of his offensive exploits, Trouba has 144 blocked shots in 71 games, giving him a little extra fantasy value.
