This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
I hope you remembered to spring forward last night. If you didn't, don't worry too much, because there isn't an NHL game until 5:00 PM ET. You should have plenty of time to build your daily fantasy lineup out of the five games on the slate. Here are my recommendations.
GOALIE
John Gibson, ANA vs. LOS ($7,400): Gibson started the season by carrying the Ducks, but eventually couldn't shoulder the load any longer. However, in four games since returning from injury, he's posted a .922 save percentage. And he'll be playing a Kings team that has only managed 2.34 goals per contest.
CENTER
Vincent Trocheck, FLA vs. DET ($5,700): Trocheck has suffered through injuries and a 6.0 shooting percentage, but still has 26 points over 41 games while putting 116 shots on net. The Red Wings are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back, and they enter with a 3.56 GAA in away contests.
Mikael Backlund, CGY vs. VGK ($5,400): Even with limited power-play time, Backlund has potted 17 goals in 64 games. He's also racked up nine points in his last 11 contests. The Golden Knights, who are markedly worse on the road than at home, are also playing the second leg of a back-to-back. Malcolm Subban will likely be in net, with a .907 save percentage in limited action.
WING
Rickard Rakell, ANA vs. LOS ($5,800): Finally, Rakell is having some luck! He may still sport a 7.2 shooting percentage, but he's riding a four-game point streak. The Kings also are playing on the second night of a back-to-back, and come in with a 3.65 GAA since the All-Star break.
Jakub Vrana, WAS vs. WPG ($5,000): Vrana is now playing on Washington's second line with Nicklas Backstrom and T.J. Oshie, which is a pretty potent combo. The third-year player has also netted 19 goals on the season to go with 22 assists. The Jets own a 3.50 GAA since the All-Star break, but they've also allowed a whopping 36.9 shots on net per contest during that time.
Thomas Vanek, DET at FLA ($4,200): Vanek has started 69.0 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone, highest on the Red Wings. He's also played 2:40 per game with the extra man. Even if he's playing on the second leg of a back-to-back, this is still a favorable matchup as the Panthers have struggled with a league bottom-five 3.34 GAA.
DEFENSE
Keith Yandle, FLA vs. DET ($6,100): Yandle may very well be the ultimate power-play weapon, as he's notched a whopping 34 points with the extra man in 68 games. As previously noted, the Red Wings are on the road for the second game of a back-to-back and sport the 26th-ranked penalty kill.
Cam Fowler, ANA vs. LOS ($4,600): Fowler has registered a point in four straight games, and the power play remains a big reason for that. He's averaged 4:03 per game with the extra man in those contests, and three of his points have come there. That all bodes well here in this matchup, as the Kings own the 30th-ranked penalty kill.
