As is the case with every FanDuel Fades, we are going to look at some players who you should think twice about placing in your lineup or who you should avoid using entirely. Remember to check back on this page later in the day for confirmations on starting goalies and keep an eye on Rotoworld's daily blurbs for all your fantasy hockey needs.
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Corey Crawford G (Chicago) - $10,200
Crawford is having an outstanding season, but his price remains very high. He is the most expensive player on the board for Thursday night and even though he has played well against Dallas this season, it isn't an ideal match-up for a goaltender. Braden Holtby ($9,900) is another high-priced option, but he is facing a struggling Minnesota Wild team and the Anaheim Ducks have two solid goalie options to use Thursday at Columbus. The investment in Crawford is too high to use in daily fantasy and maintain a balanced lineup and there are less expensive, but still elite options available.
Zach Parise LW (Minnesota) - $7,400
Parise has earned an assist in each of his last two games, but he has posted just one goal in his past 11 contests. He also has a minus-12 rating during that span, which has held back his value further. The Wild have been struggling mightily and their offense will have a hard time cracking the Washington Capitals.
Loui Eriksson LW (Boston) - $4,500
On the surface, Eriksson looks like a bargain, but he has been ice cold with one goal in his past 11 outings and one point in the last six contests. He hasn't registered one fantasy point on FanDuel in five of those six matches. Eriksson is expected to be dropped to the third line with Ryan Spooner on Thursday night. He is better off avoiding at this time.
Brandon Saad RW (Columbus) - $5,900
Saad hasn't accounted for a point in the last four games. It looked like he was starting to get back on track after he scored three times going into the All-Star break, but he has struggled since the NHL resumed play. I don't like his chances of busting his slump against the Ducks on Thursday night.
Ryan O'Reilly C (Buffalo) - $4,500
O'Reilly is another player who has impressive overall statistics, but his fantasy points on FanDuel are being held back by a lack of goals and a terrible plus-minus rating. He has a four-game point streak going into tonight, with five helpers during that time, but he hasn't scored a goal since Jan. 8 and he has a minus-14 rating in his last 12 games.
Nazem Kadri C (Toronto) - $6,500
Kadri has a fairly high price tag and his line will probably have their hands full with Connor McDavid on Thursday night. He hasn't earned a point in the last three games and he has hit just one fantasy point twice over that time.
Ryan Kesler C (Anaheim) - $6,600
Kesler enjoyed a productive January with seven goals and 11 points in 11 games, but he hasn't found the back of the net in his last five appearances and he went pointless in three of those matches. The price and his overall production this year are issues for me here. Nathan MacKinnon has the same cost with a higher ceiling, which is some food for thought.
John Carlson D (Washington) - $5,300
Carlson ended a five-game scoring slump Tuesday when he picked up an assist versus Nashville. The offensive blueliner is still trying to get back into a groove since he returned from a lower-body injury. I would wait a little longer with him.
Mark Giordano D (Calgary) - $6,200
Only four defensemen cost more than Giordano for Thursday night's slate. He has come down a bit from his hot streak and hasn't recorded a point in the last three games. Giordano has performed well against the Sharks this season, with four assists in three outings, but there are plenty of cheaper options available who can provide your lineup with the same production or more.
Goaltenders
Los Angeles (Jhonas Enroth) confirmed @ New York Islanders (Thomas Greiss) confirmed
Buffalo (Robin Lehner) confirmed @ Philadelphia (Steve Mason) confirmed
Anaheim (Frederik Andersen) confirmed @ Columbus (Joonas Korpisalo) confirmed
Colorado (Semyon Varlamov) @ Ottawa (Andrew Hammond) confirmed
Washington (Braden Holtby) confirmed @ Minnesota (Devan Dubnyk) confirmed
Boston (Tuukka Rask) confirmed @ Winnipeg (Connor Hellebuyck) confirmed
Dallas (Kari Lehtonen) @ Chicago (Corey Crawford) confirmed
Toronto (Jonathan Bernier) confirmed @ Edmonton (Cam Talbot) confirmed
Calgary (Karri Ramo) confirmed @ San Jose (Alex Stalock) confirmed