FanDuel NHL: December 15th

Dec 6, 2016; Newark, NJ, USA; New Jersey Devils left wing, and FanDuel NHL stud, Taylor Hall (9) celebrates his goal during the first period of their game against the Vancouver Canucks at Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: December 15th 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 27, 2016; Raleigh, NC, USA; Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov (16) skates with the puck against Carolina Hurricanes at PNC Arena. The Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Florida Panthers 3-2. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

On Tuesday night, we went with Ryan Kesler ($7,000) and were disappointed with with a 1.6 FanDuel NHL point result against the Dallas Stars, after a five-game hot streak. Kesler won’t do that again tonight. While the Anaheim Ducks are playing a solid Boston Bruins team, a key caveat will be the Bruins net-minder. Tonight, Anton Khudobin, 1-4-0, will be in net. The Bruins are giving Tuuka Rask a night off and Khudobin has struggled enough that Boston often tries to avoid this scenario. This is a great opportunity for Kesler to bounce back.

The Florida Panthers are struggling to find their identity this season, but leading the team with 14 assists, Aleksander Barkov ($6,600) is the top center on the team. Barkov has over 20 points in three of his last five games.

Tonight, the Panthers face the Winnipeg Jets, a team who resemble the Panthers in many ways. Each team has around 30 total points and is near the bottom of their division. Both Luongo, the Panthers goalie, and Conner Hellebuyck, the Jets goalie, are struggling this season. The Panthers are playing in Winnipeg, but Barkov should have ample opportunities to compile another 20 point game tonight and stay hot.

Next: Top Wings

Nov 25, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators left wing Viktor Arvidsson (38) controls the puck during the third period against the Winnipeg Jets at Bridgestone Arena. The Predators won 5-1. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

On Tuesday, we stacked two ducks together, Kesler and Corey Perry ($7,300). Kesler was very disappointing, but Perry had a solid 15.7 FanDuel NHL points against the Dallas Stars. Tonight, as we’ve already determined for Kesler, there’s a great opportunity for Perry to put up some big FanDuel NHL points with Boston’s struggling backup goalie in net. Corey has consistently scored between 13 and 25 points over most of his games in December. This is a great opportunity to pay for the high-end of that range.

After tremendous 20+ FanDuel NHL point games against the Canucks and Canadiens, Taylor Hall ($7,100) stumbled state-side against the Blues and Rangers. After his 8 point performance against the Blues last time, Hall has another crack at Jake Allen and St. Louis tonight. This is a great opportunity to grab Hall for a bounce-back performance against the Blues, likely in the 20-point range.

Rounding out our wingers, we played Viktor Arvidsson ($5,700) on Tuesday night and he rewarded us with a 19 point FanDuel NHL result on a mid-range $5,700 salary. Viktor has been consistently scoring around 15-20 points per game lately, and we’ll rid him until he disappoints. Also, the Preds are favored at home against the Wild tonight.

Finally, to make this lineup affordable, I’m plugging in Trevor Lewis ($3,900). Lewis has three double-digit FanDuel NHL point games over his last five games and has a favorable matchup against the Red Wings tonight. He is a steal tonight!

Next: Top Defense

Nov 15, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba (24) against the Calgary Flames at Xcel Energy Center. The Flames defeated the Wild 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

The Wild are trying to extend their winning streak to give games tonight, and Matt Dumba ($4,500) is one of the reasons they’ve been so successful. Over the Wild’s last five games, Dumba is averaging 10.6 FanDuel points per game. Playing roughly 18 minutes of ice time per game, Matt has one goal and assist over the last five games along with seven shots on goal. Not bad for the 22-year-old 2012 first round (7th overall) draft pick of the Minnesota Wild.

Paired with Dumba, Jake Gardiner ($4,100) could provide tremendous value at defense, likely yielding 20+ FanDuel NHL points in the defense positions, while only spending a total of $8,600 in salary. Gardiner is averaging 14 points over his last four games, and, as well discuss further when we review our goalie option, the Leafs have a very favorable matchup tonight.

Next: Top Goalie

Dec 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Maple Leafs Frederik Andersen (31) saves a shot by San Jose Sharks left wing Mikkel Boedker (89) at Air Canada Centre. The Sharks beat the Maple Leafs 3-2 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

One of the key components of value in a goalie each night, is their ability to achieve a win, generating at least 12 FanDuel NHL points. It can be the difference between cash, or no cash. Tonight, the Toronto Maple Leafs are a heavy favorite against the Arizona Coyotes. So who’s in goal for the Leafs? Frederik Andersen ($8,800).

With an 11-7-5 record and a 2.74 goals against average (GAA), 29th in the NHL, Andersen isn’t the most attractive goalie option each week for FanDuel NHL. However, Frederik has a .916 save average, 21st in the NHL. In fact, Andersen has 674 saves this season, which is 2nd in the NHL and an indictor Toronto’s defense is not playing well, and Andersen can pile up some points for us with saves. Add that component to the fact that the Leafs have a very favorable matchup tonight, and Andersen is a very attractive option in net tonight.

Next: FanDuel NBA December 15th

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!