FanDuel NHL: December 29th

Dec 20, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) makes a save on a shot by the St. Louis Blues during the first period at the American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

FanDuel NHL: December 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

Dec 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews (34) looks to pass during the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at Gila River Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Centers

Auston Matthews ($7,200) continues his torrent rookie season this week. I had Matthews in my lineup last night and he helped me cash in each play. Auston had over 31 FanDuel NHL points last night, about 10 points above his average over the last four games. We’ll continue to roll on Matthews hot streak, with a reasonable salary giving us many options for wingers.

Mikael Backlund ($5,300) has nursed a bruise recently, but is back in the Calgary Flames lineup tonight. This is perfect timing to grab a red-hot Backlund on a cheap $5,300 salary. Mikael has been on fire lately, piling up over 36 FanDuel NHL points in his last two games. Tonight, the Flames are favored at home against the Anaheim Ducks in what we expect to be a high-scoring game. This is our value play at center.

Next: Top Wings

Dec 27, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) celebrates with teammates on the bench after scoring the go ahead goal against the Boston Bruins in the third period at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Wings

For our top two wings, we’ll look at two Columbus Blue Jackets on separate lines. Cam Atkinson ($7,100) and Nick Foligno ($6,400) are two big reasons the Blue Jackets continue their winning streak, now at 13-straight games.

Atkinson was averaging over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game until he cooled off against Tuukka Rask and the Boston Bruins. However, Cam should bounce back tonight in a juicy matchup against the Winnipeg Jets. Foligno is averaging over 19 FanDuel NHL points-per-game over the Blue Jackets last three games, and should continue that pace tonight in Winnipeg.

Jonathan Drouin ($6,100) is bouncing back from an undisclosed injury this week. Before the injury, Drouin was absolutely on fire, averaging well over 20 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. Tonight, Jonathan is expected to be at full strength, and back toward his roughly 20 minutes of ice time. Drouin should be a bargain value play at wing tonight, scoring around 20 points on a reasonable $6,100 salary.

Anthony Mantha ($4,500) has been a favorite pick of mine most of this season. Mantha continues to be cheap, and with the right match-ups is a fantastic value. Tonight, with Craig Anderson out, Mike Condon is in-goal for the Ottawa Senators against the Red Wings. Condon was seriously roughed up against a high-powered Rangers offense on Tuesday. Expect a similar result tonight against the Red Wings with Mantha participating in a scoring event.

Next: Top Defense

Dec 20, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Jeff Petry (26) reacts with teammates after scoring a goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the third period at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Defense

To afford our center and wing options, we’re looking for affordable defensive men, on hot streaks, with great matchups. Jeff Petry ($5,000) and Jake Gardiner ($4,800) fit that mold nicely.

Petry has been scolding hot lately, averaging around 14.5 FanDuel NHL points per game. That’s a fantastic average for a $5,000 salary. Tonight, Jeff has a juicy matchup against the Florida Panthers James Reimer. Reimer has struggled against good teams like the Montreal Canadiens. For example, in Philadelphia and Carolina Reimer gave up three goals each, and had below an .890 save percentage. This is a great bounce-back game for Petry.

Gardiner has been the benefactor of a resurgent Toronto Maple Leafs offense. Jake plays on the 2nd line for the Leafs, and has been involved in a scoring result in four of the last five games. Gardiner has four assists in the last three games. Jake should be involved in another score tonight against the Tampa Bay Lightening.

Next: Top Goalie

Dec 17, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Stars goalie Antti Niemi (31) in game action in the first period against the Philadelphia Flyers at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Top Goalie

Antti Niemi ($8,000) is 2-2-1 this December. Niemi had several bad matchups this month, playing the Blues, Flyers, Rangers, Ducks, and Penguins. So tonight’s matchup at home against a struggling Colorado Avalanche team is more appealing. This is a juicy matchup for the Dallas Stars.

This December, Antti is averaging around 11 FanDuel NHL points-per-game. The average would be higher if it weren’t for a rough 3.2 result against a hot Saint Louis Blues team on the 20th. Niemi had 18+ points in each of the three games prior to the Blues game, and 30+ points against the Flyers and Ducks. Against a struggling Avalanche team, Niemi should land somewhere between 20 and 30 points tonight.

Next: FanDuel NBA December 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!