FanDuel NHL: December 13th

Dec 3, 2016; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Chris Kreider (20) in action against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: December 13th 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

Dec 4, 2016; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Kesler (17) skates during the warmup period against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

The Anaheim Ducks are trying to extend their winning streak to three games tonight. The Ducks are playing the Dallas Stars in what should be a high-scoring game, with the Ducks favored to win. Ryan Kesler ($7,000) is one of the Ducks top offensive options. Kesler plays Center on their 2nd regular line and 1st power play line, logging over 20 mins of ice time each game.

Ryan has 13+ FanDuel NHL points in six of his last six games, and over 17 points in five of the last six Ducks games. Kesler is on a roll, as are the Ducks. We’ll see if we can find some other Ducks to stack tonight at winger.

On December 8th, the Carolina Hurricanes Derek Ryan ($3,300) had a fantastic 30.8 FanDuel NHL points night against the LA Kings on a rock-bottom $3,000 salary. That was a major steal, and win, for any FanDuel players bold even to plug Ryan in their lineups. Tonight, the Hurricanes are heavy favorites to beat the Vancouver Canucks, at home in Carolina. Ryan has double-digit points in each of his last three games. With a favorable matchup against the Canucks tonight, he’s a high-value option leaving plenty of cash for some other big plays.

Next: Top Wings

Oct 25, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks right wing Corey Perry (10) gets possession in the third period at SAP Center at San Jose. The Sharks won 2-1 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

With a favorable Ducks matchup against the Dallas Stars tonight, we talked about finding someone to stack with Center Ryan Kesler, and I think we’ve round our Ducks winger. Corey Perry ($7,000) has been highly consistent this season, often scoring between 15-25 FanDuel NHL points per game. Leading both top lines for Anaheim, Perry is a lock to score double-digits tonight, and could exceed 20 points for the third time in three games. $7,000 is pricey, but very reasonable for someone this consistent, and we love the matchup tonight!

Another consistent scoring this season has been Chris Kreider ($6,400). The New York Rangers have been offensively dynamic this season, and Kreider also consistently scores double-digit points. While the Blackhaws are a good team, Scott Darling and the Hawks have struggled lately, and the Rangers have a favorable matchup tonight in New York. Kreider should land his 5th double-digit FanDuel NHL game, of six games, tonight.

Rounding out our four wingers, I’m adding two affordable but high-value options with Thomas Vanek ($4,900) and Viktor Arvidsson ($5,700). Vanek and Arvidsson each are buried in their team’s 3rd line, but have also scored double-digit FanDuel NHL points in five of their last six games. So while their ice time has been limited, they’re both putting their time on the ice to great use. Arvidsson and the Predators have a favorable matchup against the Blues tonight. And Vanek and the Red Wings should have a good night against the Arizona Coyotes.

This is a dynamic, and high-value, foursome of wingers for tonight’s NHL action. Now let’s take a look at how to get the best value out of our defensive man and goalie options.

Next: Top Defense

Dec 2, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns (88) shoots and scores against the Montreal Canadiens in the first period at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

As I’ve said before, 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 a Toronto Maple Leafs team who’s offense is dynamic, but defense is sub-standard. The Maple Leafs have given up 84 goals so far this season, 21st in the NHL. The Leafs offense keeps them in games, but it also forces the opposing teams to keep forcing goals, leading to higher scoring games. The Sharks are favored in San Jose tonight, and Burns should have his 5th straight 17+ FanDuel NHL point game.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have been on a roll lately, winning their last six straight games. David Savard ($4,200) has benefited from the Blue Jackets streak, scoring 17+ FanDuel NHL points in three of his last four games. Savard is still a cheaper option, playing on the Columbus 2nd regular line and often avoiding the power play, but he’s still getting over 20 mins per game on the ice and will have multiple opportunities against the Edmonton Oilers, who are often engaged in shootouts.

Next: Top Goalie

Dec 4, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Kings goalie Peter Budaj (31) makes a save in the second period of the game against the Montreal Canadiens at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

With Jonathan Quick shelved for most of the season so far this year, the Los Angeles Kings have been lucky to have Peter Budaj ($8,100) step into the goal crease. Budaj has a 2.18 Goals Against Average (GAA), 12th in the NHL. Budaj has a solid 13-7-2 record. Tonight, Peter faces a struggling Buffalo Sabres hockey team, with Robin Lehner in net opposite Budaj. Lehner is only 5-9-4, and while the game is in Buffalo, the Kings are favored to win.

Budaj is playing after two days rest, and sitting out for the December 8th Carolina Hurricanes game. Prior to his rest, Budaj struggled to only secure around 4 FanDuel NHL points against a very good Sharks and Canadiens hockey teams. Also, Budaj had a rough -4.8 point night against the Arizona Coyotes. However, prior to the dip in performance, Peter had a fantastic 22.4 FanDuel NHL point night against a very good Chicago Blackhawks team. Tonight, I expect Budaj to bounce back with a 15+ point night against a struggling team, and well rested.

Next: FanDuel NBA December 13th

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!