This article is part of our FantasyAces NHL series.
There are a number of juicy matchups to target in the National Hockey League this Thursday.
Nashville, Minnesota and San Jose project favorably, as they host the Canucks, Flames and Oilers, respectively, while the Ducks should continue their post-November surge against Toronto.
Simply put, the Canadian teams are playing with depleted rosters due to injuries and the talent dealt at the trade deadline.
Pittsburgh, Dallas and Los Angeles are three more teams to consider.
Player Recommendations
G: Frederik Andersen, ANA at TOR ($7,300): The pricing hasn't baked in Andersen's current form, as he sports a 15-1-1 run with a .936 save percentage and 1.80 GAA through his past 18 appearances. John Gibson allowed four goals in his last outing, so look for Andersen to start and deliver the win bonus Thursday.
C: Ryan Johansen, NAS vs. VAN ($5,150): The pivot is heating up with six points through his past four games, including two multi-point showings and at least one point in three of the four outings. Vancouver's roster is riddled with injuries, and the Canucks have allowed an average of three goals per game during their five-game losing streak.
C: Jeff Carter, LA at WPG ($5,250): Since posting eight points -- three goals -- through six games, Carter has missed the scoresheet in three consecutive outings. However, he registered six shots on net skating with Anze Kopitar and Milan Lucic last time out. Should the trio remain intact, they'll be a load to handle for Winnipeg, and Carter checks out as the go-to shooter.
W: Corey Perry, ANA at TOR ($5,400): A multi-point outburst is pending, as Perry has sprinkled in two goals and two assists through his past five outings with 14 shots and a plus-4 rating. Toronto is ripe for a letdown showing after winning consecutive games. Being reunited with Ryan Getzlaf is nothing but a positive for Perry's upside, too.
W: James Neal, NAS vs. VAN ($5,100): With 11 points through his past 10 games, including five goals and three multi-point outings over his latest four contests. As mentioned, Vancouver stumbles in, and Neal has been good for 15 goals, 13 assists, 107 shots and a plus-15 rating over his 35 home games this season. The price jumps out as a discount, given his form and matchup.
W: Charlie Coyle, MIN vs. NJ ($4,750): After scoring 11 goals through 18 games from late January into early March, Coyle has flipped the script and returned six helpers through his past eight games. Regardless of which column he's ticking, he continues to skate with the top line in all situations, and this is a great matchup. Calgary has allowed the most goals per game this season, the second-most since the All-Star break and the third-most per road game.
W: Michael Raffl, PHI at COL ($3,400): Given his cap hit and recent production, Raffl is a high-floor source of cap relief. He has nine points through his past nine games with 20 shots on net and a plus-5 rating. While the power-play looks can't be counted on, Raffl has settled in with Sean Couturier and Sam Gagner to form a nice trio at even strength.
D: Cam Fowler, ANA at TOR ($4,200): After he snapped a seven-game point drought last time out, look for Fowler to provide another solid stat line against Toronto Thursday. His floor is respectable, but he flashed his ceiling Tuesday with a five-point night at FantasyAces. Through 25 games since returning from injury, Fowler has averaged 22:26, including 3:10 of power-play time.
D: Alec Martinez, LA at WPG ($4,700): The rearguard provides a nice floor-upside combo at a manageable salary and has returned eight points through his past 13 games with 24 shots, 33 blocked shots and a plus-five rating. He's also averaged 2:11 of power-play time during that stretch.
