FanDuel NHL: Saturday Picks

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Updated on December 17, 2016 11:36AM EST

There are eight games in Saturday's main contests at FanDuel, and the action kick-starts with the five bouts at 7 p.m. EDT. Here are a handful of selections across multiple price points to consider while assembling your lineups.

GOALIE

Jake Allen, STL vs. CHI ($8,800): Before Chicago exploded for five goals against the Islanders on Thursday, the Blackhawks scored just 17 over their previous nine games. The Blues at the Scottrade Center aren't the Islanders, and Allen owns a career 40-15-4 record at home with a .922 save percentage and a 1.98 GAA. Expect Allen to be scarcely owned, too.

CENTER

Connor McDavid, EDM vs. TAM ($8,800): With just a single assist in his last three games, McDavid is in line for a bounce-back showing against Tampa Bay. The Lightning are on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and playing their third away game in four nights. Plus, McDavid's 3.4 points per 60 minutes also rank first among all skaters with at least 1,500 minutes over the last two seasons.

Victor Rask, CAR vs. BUF ($5,800): Heating back up with a goal, seven points and 13 shots through his past four games, Rask continues to be an underrated and underpriced offensive contributor. His 2.63 points per 60 minutes rank 21st among skaters with at least 500 minutes this season, and Buffalo allows 32.8 shots and 2.77 goals per away game.

WING

Vladimir Tarasenko, STL vs. CHI ($8,800): Up to 14 points -- five goals -- through eight December games, Tarasenko's 3.9 points per 60 minutes pace all skaters with at least 500 minutes this year. Despite his high-end production, expect the star winger's ownership to be on the contrarian side because of the perceived tough matchup.

William Nylander, TOR vs. PIT ($5,200): With four assists, 15 shots and 3:19 per night on the power play through his past four games, Nylander presents excellent value Saturday. The Penguins are on the wrong end of back-to-back road games and could be without their top two defensemen (Kris Letang and Trevor Daley).

Kevin Fiala, NAS vs. NYR ($3,600): As long as Fiala is locked into a top-six role, receiving power-play time and cheap, he's worth a look as a source of cap relief. The 20-year-old winger has also posted a 14th-ranked 10.9 shots per 60 minutes among skaters with at least 200 minutes this year, so he brings a respectable fantasy floor with his upside.

DEFENSE

Justin Faulk, CAR vs. BUF ($5,600): Scorching hot with two goals, six points and 24 shots over his past five games, Faulk is putting his slow start in the rearview mirror. He entered the year with a 1.46 points per 60 minutes over the previous two seasons, which was the 16th-highest mark among defensemen with 3,000 minutes.

Dion Phaneuf, OTT vs. NJD ($4,200): This salary doesn't account for Phaneuf's high floor. Over his past 11 games, the veteran defenseman has three goals, eight points (four with the man advantage), 26 shots and 25 blocked shots with an average of 3:52 on the power play. The Devils have also allowed 3.22 goals per road game this year.

The author(s) of this article may play in daily fantasy contests including – but not limited to – games that they have provided recommendations or advice on in this article. In the course of playing in these games using their personal accounts, it's possible that they will use players in their lineups or other strategies that differ from the recommendations they have provided above. The recommendations in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of RotoWire. Neil Parker plays in daily fantasy contests using the following accounts: FanDuel: naparker77, DraftKings: naparker77.