FanDuel NHL: December 27th

Dec 18, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender, and FanDuel NHL stud, Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stops a shot on net by Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen (36) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Columbus Blue Jackets won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: December 27th 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 20, 2016; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild forward Eric Staal (12) against the Colorado Avalanche at Xcel Energy Center. The Wild defeated the Avalanche 2-0. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

Simply put, Eric Staal ($5,900) has been an outstanding value over the last two seeks. You rarely find a center under $6,000, who’s averaging 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. But Staal has done just that over the last two weeks.

The Minnesota Wild aren’t favored tonight against Pekka Rinne, in goal, and the Nashville Predators. However, they’re currently riding a 10-game winning streak. Staal is a great value pick and will allow us to land around 20 points while keeping plenty of salary for a great winger and goalie play.

Radek Faksa ($3,800) won’t play on a power play line tonight, but Faksa is the center for the Dallas Stars 2nd regular line. The Stars are favored in a great matchup against the struggling Arizona Coyotes. Over the last two weeks, Radek has been a tremendous FanDuel NHL value. For only under $4,000, we’re getting a center who’s averaging 12 points-per-game.

Next: Top Wings

Dec 13, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; San Jose Sharks center Joe Pavelski (8) during their game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Air Canada Centre. The Sharks beat the Maple Leafs 3-2 in the shootout. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

Joe Pavelski ($8,000) is an expensive option for a wing, but win or lose, Pavelski has averaged over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Joe should have another 20+ point game tonight in Anaheim, and we’ve saved plenty of cash for this play with our Center value options.

Expecting another dynamite Columbus Blue Jackets performance tonight, I’m stacking Cam Atkinson ($7,100) and Sam Gagner ($4,800), both wings on the Blue Jackets top power play line this evening. Atkinson is almost a slam-dunk 15+ point play given his performance in December, and Gagner is averaging between 10-15 FanDuel NHL points each game. The Blue Jackets should extend their streak at home against the Boston Bruins tonight, and we need to take advantage of their streak.

While Mikael Granlund ($5,300) isn’t on Eric Staal’s line for a true Wild stack, Granlund is also a big part of the Wild’s current 10-game winning streak. Also, the last time the Wild played the Predators, in Nashville December 15th, he piled up 25.3 FanDuel points. This is a good value play in a fairly expensive set of wing options.

Next: Top Defense

Nov 15, 2016; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith (2) warms up prior to the game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Winnipeg Jets at MTS Centre. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

Until December, Duncan Keith ($6,400) hasn’t been consistent this season. However, over the last two weeks, Keith is averaging around 15 FanDuel NHL points per game. Tonight, the Blackhawks are heavily favored against the Winnipeg Jets, at home in Chicago. With Duncan playing on the Blackhawks top lines, he’s very likely to get around 15 points, again, on a reasonable salary.

The New Jersey Devils have struggled to start the season, in a very tough Metropolitan Division. However, the Devils played well in their last two tough matchups, against the Flyers and Penguins. Playing on the Devils’ 2nd regular line, and top power play line tonight, John Moore ($3,700) has been on a roll, averaging around 12 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Moore is now a high-value play, and is one of the best bargain options for tonight.

Next: Top Goalie

Dec 18, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Vancouver Canucks forward Daniel Sedin (22) shoots the puck against Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the third period at Rogers Arena. The Columbus Blue Jackets won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on a roll, and now have the best record in the NHL, the only team with 50 points in the NHL standings heading into tonight’s action. The Blue Jackets are on a 12-game winning streak, and Sergei Bobrovsky ($9,400) as a major contributor. Bobrovsky is having a fantastic season, now 21-5-2, with a 1.88 GAA (3rd in the NHL), .935 SV% (2nd in the NHL), and three shutouts.

Over the last five Columbus games, Sergei has a win and double-digit FanDuel NHL points in each game he started. Bobrovsky landed between 25 and 35 FanDuel NHL points each game, a tremendous streak. Tonight, the Blue Jackets are once again favored, this time at home in Columbus against Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins.

Next: FanDuel NBA December 27th

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!