This article is part of our FanDuel NHL series.
Christmas is nearing, and what better gift is there to give yourself than a winning daily fantasy lineup? We'll try to help you on that front with our choices for some of the best options on a day when 14 NHL teams are in action.
GOALIE
Sergei Bobrovsky, CLM at CGY ($9,200): The fact the Jackets have won seven games in a row is enticing enough as is. On top of that, though, Bobrovsky has been outstanding during that winning streak – and all season, for that matter. He has a 1.94 GAA and a .934 save percentage. Bob's not cheap, but he's well worth the asking price.
CENTER
Ryan O'Reilly, BUF vs. NYI ($6,300): Buffalo's offense has struggled this season, but it has definitely seen an uptick since O'Reilly returned from injury. In the nine games since he returned to the ice, he has eight points, including four on the power play. The Islanders are allowing 2.96 goals per contest and are giving up 32.6 shots on average. O'Reilly has a four-game point streak going, and there's a solid chance he makes it five.
Valtteri Filppula, TAM at VAN ($4,600): With Steven Stamkos out, Filppula has moved up the depth chart at center, and he's dished out 15 helpers this year (including five on the power play). The Canucks are giving up 3.1 goals per game, and their team save percentage is a mere .899. Filppula is averaging a very respectable 9.7 fantasy points per game, and his price point is such that he doesn't need to do a ton to be a good value. In this matchup, though, he could be a steal.
WING
Matt Duchene, COL vs. FLA ($7,000): The Panthers will be on the second night of a back-to-back, which means one of two things. James Reimer, who has a .896 save percentage, might get the start. Or Roberto Luongo will get only his fourth start since the beginning of the 2014-15 season with zero days of rest, which seems very unlikely. With two goals in his last game, Duchene now has 12 in 24 contests, and he has six points in his last five games. He's the rare Avalanche player in the position to take advantage of what could be a sneakily good matchup.
Kyle Okposo, BUF vs. NYI ($6,200): Okposo is another Sabre who is doing his best to get Buffalo's offense going. He's got nine goals on 74 shots on net in 24 games, and he's got 12 power-play points as well. The Islanders are a mediocre 17th in penalty-kill percentage, which should not concern Okposo, who is a key part of Buffalo's (surprising) fourth-ranked power play.
Conor Sheary, PIT vs. LOS ($5,000): The Kings have been good at goal prevention, despite a team save percentage of .896, but they will also be on the second night of a back-to-back. That improves this matchup a little bit for Sheary, who definitely seems to be in the throes of a breakout season. He's got nine points in his last eight games, and he's put 57 shots on net in 23 games. This feels like a slight gamble, given the Kings' defensive prowess, but Sheary is worth the roll of the dice at this price.
Alex Killorn, TAM at VAN ($5,200): Killorn scored three points against Calgary in his last game, breaking him out of a bit of a funk. He's averaging career-high minutes and power-play time, and he's put 69 shots on goal in 30 games. As mentioned earlier, the Canucks are giving up 3.1 goals per games, and their goaltenders have struggled. That could help Killorn build on his big game against the Flames.
DEFENSEMEN
Rasmus Ristolainen, BUF vs. NYI ($5,400): Ristolainen is averaging 12.6 fantasy points per game despite the fact he's only managed one goal. That's a result of bad puck luck, as he's put 67 shots on net, giving him a 1.5 shooting percentage. He's playing over 26 minutes a night, a staggering number, and 12 of his 19 points have come with the extra man. That certainly bodes well against the Islanders, and Ristolainen certainly seems underpriced considering this matchup.
Aaron Ekblad, FLA at COL ($5,600): The Avalanche are the worst teams in the league in terms of goals allowed, and their 32.4 shots allowed per game ranks only slightly higher. If there's one thing Ekblad can definitely do, it's put pucks on net. He's got 105 shots in 31 games, a particularly impressive number for a blueliner. Colorado's goaltending woes give Ekblad a good chance of lighting the lamp if he's as prolific as usual, and there's no reason to think he won't be.
