FanDuel NHL: November 29th

Nov 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) warms up before the start of the game against New York Islanders at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: November 29th 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

Nov 25, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) scores on Arizona Coyotes goalie Mike Smith (41) during the first period at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

If you’re following hockey closely, you’re not surprised by the top center choice. If you’re not following hockey closely, keep this guy in mind every time the Edmonton Oilers are on the ice. Connor McDavid ($8,500) is good, really good. Over the last five Oilers games, McDavid has a double-digit FanDuel NHL point game each time on the ice. Connor is averaging over 20 minutes on the ice and is Edmonton’s top center in the regular and power play lines. Also, McDavid is averaging over 20 FanDuel NHL points per game in the last five.

Tonight, the Oilers play the Toronto Maple Leafs in a game that could be a high-scoring affair. The Oilers have a high-powered offense and are scoring around 3 goals per game, 4th in the NHL. Toronto is giving up over 3 goals per game, 5th worst in the NHL. This is a fantastic opportunity for McDavid to have a big night.

Pairing McDavid with Nathan MacKinnon ($7,100) and the Colorado Avalanche versus the Nashville Predators is a great opportunity. Like Connor, Nathan is averaging double-digit FanDuel NHL points per game over the last five games. Three of the last five games have been around 30 points. The Predators are efficient in defending the center position this year, but MacKinnon is on fire. Let’s tie the hot-hand to McDavid tonight and enjoy the ride!

Next: Top Wings

Feb 26, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks center Rickard Rakell (67) is interviewed after scoring the game winning goad against the Edmonton Oilers in overtime at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

Rickard Rakell ($5,700) and the Anaheim Ducks are playing a tough Montreal Canadiens team tonight. However, Rakell has been on a roll. Rickard is averaging 16 FanDuel NHL points per game over the last five games. Rakell is an underrated wing playing in the top Ducks line, and 2nd power play line, earning around 19 minutes of playing time each game. For only $5,700 of salary, I’ll take Rakell on a roll against a tough team.

Charlie Coyle ($5,100) is another wing on a roll. The Minnesota Wild winger on the first regular and power play lines is scoring over 12 FanDuel NHL points in four of his last five games. Tonight, Charlie and the Wild have a favorable matchup against the Vancouver Canucks. The Canucks are 26th in the NHL defending the wing positions, and Coyle has a great opportunity to offer a fantastic return on his $5,100 salary.

Anthony Mantha ($3,900) has flown under the radar for the Detroit Red Wings the past four games. The young 22-year-old winger is getting around 16 minutes of ice time over the last four games, and has 14+ FanDuel NHL points in four of his last five games. Mantha is getting time on the top line and could be a steal tonight, with a low $3,900 salary. Keep an eye on the Red Wings lineup tonight for Mantha’s position.

Brett Ritchie ($3,300) is our fourth option at wing. Brett is another affordable option making the rest of our big-play lineup options possible. Ritchie has 12+ points in three of the Dallas Stars last four games. If Ritchie can log another double-digit point night, we’re in for some big money.

Next: Top Defense

Sep 26, 2016; Edmonton, Alberta, CAN; Edmonton Oilers defensemen Oscar Klefbom (77) skates against the Calgary Flames during a preseason hockey game at Rogers Place. Mandatory Credit: Perry Nelson-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Where Brent Burns ($8,300) goes, the San Jose Sharks go. When the Sharks win games, Burns is scoring 20+ FanDuel NHL points in each win. When they lose, he typically struggles to get to 20 points. That’s not too surprising for a defender, but Burns is unique. Brent is your abnormal great defender paired with a great scorer. One of the best in the NHL.

Tonight Burns and the Sharks are playing an Arizona Coyotes team whose sub-par defending…the defender. With the Sharks at home, and goalie Martin Jones playing well at home, Burns should have a solid night of scoring opportunity, and another 20 FanDuel NHL point night.

Oscar Klefbom ($4,300) has 20+ FanDuel NHL points in three of the Oilers last five games. Oscar also has double-digits in four of the last five. That isn’t too surprising considering he’s on the top regular and power play lines for a high-scoring Oilers offense. As we’ve already discussed with McDavid, Kelfbom and the Oilers are playing in a game agianst the Maple Leafs which we expect to be high-scoring. With a low $4,300 salary tonight, this is a great pairing with a great matchup for Burns.

Next: Top Goalie

Nov 17, 2016; St. Louis, MO, USA; San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones (31) makes a save against the St. Louis Blues during the third period at Scottrade Center. The Blues won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Martin Jones ($8,700) is 10-8-1 on the season, and 6-3 at home. Jones is averaging 2.15 goals against this season, 13th in the NHL. Martin is also 2-0 in shootouts, not giving up a goal in each shootout, tied with Carey Price. However, Jones save percentage is .917, tied with Peter Budaj for 21st in the NHL. So Jones is only giving up just over two goals per game, but he’s not piling up saves this year.

However, the key to picking a goalie is the matchup. Tonight, the San Jose Sharks are playing the Arizona Coyotes at home, in San Jose, and are heavily favored. Jones has two days rest heading into this game, and the Martin is scoring between 30-40 points in games he wins at home. This is a great opportunity to play an affordable Jones at Goalie, while affording the other great plays we discussed across the lineup.

Next: FanDuel NBA November 29th

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!