FanDuel NHL: November 22nd

Nov 12, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Presentation of Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31), aFanDuel NHL stud, on scoreboard before the game against Detroit Red Wings at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: November 22nd is a daily fantasy sports column focusing on the best FanDuel NHL player and value options for your daily lineups. The salary options are based on the daily salaries set by FanDuel. We’ll review the best options in each position, and help you afford an optimal lineup for your big FanDuel NHL paydays.

Before we review the top options for each FanDuel NHL lineup position, let’s review the FanDuel NHL scoring rules:

Forwards/Defense

Goals = 12pts
Assists = 8pts
Shots on Goal = 1.6pts
Short Handed points = 2pts
Power Play Points = 0.5pts
Blocked Shots = 1.6pts

Goalies

Win = 12pts
Goals Against = -4pts
Saves = 0.8pts
Shutouts = 8pts

Given the FanDuel NHL scoring options, we know the top options for offense and defense are players who tend to score a goal or record an assist in most games. Also, if one of those players is often playing on the penalty kill, there’s an added benefit if they could score the unique short-handed goal. The Ottawa Senators led the NHL in the 2015-2016 season with 17 short-handed goals.

As for Goalies, you’ll want to pick a goalie on a team who has the highest winning percentage of the day. Losing the 12 point win can easily be the difference between losing money and a big pay-day. A FanDuel comparison would be picking a MLB pitcher who will most likely win.

Now that we’ve established the rules and goals for playing FanDuel NHL, let’s take a look at tonight’s best options:

Next: Top Centers

Oct 20, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Carolina Hurricanes center Victor Rask (49) celebrates his goal with teammates against Calgary Flames during the first period at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

As we’ll see later, we’re going to make a big play at goalie tonight, using a large chunk of our allotted salary. So for Center, we need to hone in on the best value plays for the day.

As we comb through the options, Victor Rask ($5,800) should be a high-value option. As the Center for the Carolina Hurricanes 2nd line, and 1st power play line, Victor is on the ice around 20 minutes per game. Over the last five games, Rask has scored around 19 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. That’s a great return when using only $5,800 salary. Tonight, the ‘Canes’ are favored against the Toronto Maple Leafs, and goalie Frederik Andersen. This could be a high-scoring game for the Hurricanes, and a great matchup for Rask.

Similar to Rask, Ryan Kesler ($6,700) is the Center for the Anaheim Ducks 2nd regular line and 1st power play line. Kesler notched over 35 FanDuel NHL points against the Hurricanes on November 10th. Ryan is on the ice over 22 minutes per game, allowing him to score double-digit points consistently in most games. The Ducks have the Islanders and Halak at home tonight, in a decent matchup for Kesler.

Next: Top Wings

Nov 15, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (25) motions from the bench during the game in which he scored a hat trick against the Nashville Predators at Air Canada Centre. The Maple Leafs defeated the Predators 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

With lots of top, young, talent around him now, James van Riemsdyk ($7,300) is having one heck of a year in the NHL this season! James had 88 FanDuel NHL points over the Maple Leafs last three games, averaging almost 30 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Tonight, van Riemsdyk has a decent matchup against Cam Ward and the Carolina Hurricanes in Toronto. For $7,300, it’s worth continuing to ride van Riemsdyk’s momentum.

While we’re on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitchel Marner ($5,800) has benefited from playing with van Riemsdyk on the 2nd regular and power play lines. Tonight, we’re going to stack wingers Marner and Riemsdyk for a great value play against the Hurricanes and Cam Ward.

Since returning to the lineup for the St. Louis Blues, Robby Fabbri ($5,000) has scored double-digit FanDuel NHL points in each of his last four games. Fabbri is on the Blues 2nd regular line and 1st power play line and should but on the ice for about 15 minutes tonight, against Rask and the Boston Bruins. Rask is a good goalie, but Fabbri should have scoring opportunities tonight and is a solid value at $5,000.

Rounding out our wingers is another Blue, David Perron ($4,900). Perron is also on fire lately, averaging 18.5 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. We’re stacking Perron and Fabbri for the PP1 line against Rask and the Bruins, assuming they’ll have multiple opportunities to pile up some points and each stay hot on reasonable salaries.

Next: Top Defense

Feb 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Michael Del Zotto (15) shoots the puck as Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin (8) looks on in the first period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Michael Del Zotto ($4,300) is back in the Flyers lineup this month, and he’s making a big impact already for their offense. Del Zotto is averaging around three shots per game over the Flyers last five games, and he’s scored one goal and two assists in that period as well. On the defensive side of the ice, Michael is averaging two blocks per game. Del Zotto has three double-digit FanDuel NHL points per game, over the last five, and should bounce back after two straight games below ten points.

Tonight, the Flyers are playing the Florida Panthers with Robert Luongo in net. Luongo has been OK this season, but is giving up between two to three goals per game. This should be a good matchup for Del Zotto and the Flyers.

Next to Del Zotto, we’ll plug-in Andrei Markov ($4,900) of the Montreal Canadiens. Markov has been fantastic for only $4,900. Averaging around 14 FanDuel NHL points per game, Markov has been very active in the offensive and defensive side of the ice for the Canadiens. That’s not surprising, as he’s been on the ice for over 22 minutes per game. Andrei should continue to offer blocks, shots, and an assist tonight against the Ottawa Senators, in Montreal.

Next: Top Goalie

Oct 20, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) makes a save against Arizona Coyotes forward Jordan Martinook (48) during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Tonight, we’re going big with the goalie roster spot. Carey Price ($10,200) has been incredibly consistent this year, scoring between 20 and 50 points almost every game this season. Price is an amazing 11-0-1 after 12 starts so far this year. Carey is 3rd in the NHL with only 1.58 goals per game. Price is 2nd in the NHL with a .950 save percentage.

The Montreal Canadiens are off to a fantastic start to the season and Carey Price is the primary reason. Tonight, the Habs play the Ottawa Senators in Montreal. Craig Anderson has also played well in net for the Senators. But, Ottawa is near the bottom of the NHL in almost every offensive category. The Canadiens are heavily favored in this one and Price is a slam-puck play tonight.

Next: FanDuel NBA November 22nd

Always check NHL lineups throughout the day when playing FanDuel NHL. As a fan, you likely know the league isn’t overly forthcoming with injury news, and players are often scratched at the last-minute with little information. Also, goaltenders are never a sure-thing. Good Luck today Fanduelers!